何がどう役に立ったか、その経路は不明なんだけど、例えばリズム感。動画がついに見つからなかった"What's the buzz?Tell me what's happening"なんかも、「ぅわっつぁばず?てぇみわっつぁぷにん」を早いテンポでの4拍、特に後半の"tell me what's happening"を2拍で歌わないといけないから、イヤが応でも口(舌)が廻るように練習するし、「こんな感じで言う」というのが理屈抜きに叩き込まれる。よく「歌で覚えろ」とかいいますが、確かに一定の合理性あります。発音センスもよくなるし。
映画の最後、テーマ曲ともいうべき「スーパースター」で、自殺したユダが天から舞い降りてきて、キリストに問いかける。結局、お前はなんだったんだ?何がしたかったんだ?と。わからない、知りたい、と。でもそれはジーザス本人の疑問でもあり、結局、神は自分に何をさせたかったんだ?と。"god works in mysterious way"っていうけど、神様が考えてることが分からない。この「わからん!」という素朴で、しかし強烈な感覚こそがこの映画のテーマなのかもしれません。
I only want to say, (←0分45秒)
If there is a way,
Take this cup away from me For I don't want to taste its poison.
Feel it burn me, I have changed.
I'm not as sure, as when we started.
Then, I was inspired. Now, I'm sad and tired.
Listen, surely I've exceeded expectations,
Tried for three years, seems like thirty.
Could you ask as much from any other man?
But if I die, See the saga through and do the things you ask of me,
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree.
I'd want to know, I'd want to know, My God, ×繰り返し
Want to see, I'd want to see, My God, ×繰り返し
Why I should die.
Would I be more noticed than I ever was before?
Would the things I've said and done matter any more?
I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,
Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord, ×繰り返し
If I die what will be my reward? ×繰り返し
Have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,
I'd have to know, I'd have to know, my Lord,
Why should I die? Oh why should I die? (←★02分58秒 ここからのハイトーンボーカルの絶唱は凄い)
Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain.
Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die.
You're far to keen and where and how, but not so hot on why.
Alright, I'll die! Just watch me die!
See how I die!
Then I was inspired. Now, I'm sad and tired.
After all, I've tried for three years, seems like ninety.
Why then am I scared to finish what I started,
What you started - I didn't start it.
God, thy will is hard,
But you hold every card. I will drink your cup of poison.
Nail me to your cross and break me,
Bleed me, beat me, Kill me. Take me, now!
Before I change my mind.
My mind is clearer now. At last all too well I can see where we all soon will be.
If you strip away the myth from the man, You will see where we all soon will be.
Jesus!
You've started to believe the things they say of you.
You really do believe This talk of God is true.
And all the good you've done Will soon get swept away.
You've begun to matter more than the things you say.
Listen Jesus I don't like what I see.
All I ask is that you listen to me.
And remember, I've been your right hand man all along.
You have set them all on fire.
They think they've found the new Messiah.
And they'll hurt you when they find they're wrong.
I remember when this whole thing began.
No talk of God then, we called you a man.
And believe me, my admiration for you hasn't died.
But every word you say today Gets twisted 'round some other way.
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied.
Nazareth, your famous son should have stayed a great unknown
Like his father carving wood He'd have made good.
Tables, chairs, and oaken chests would have suited Jesus best.
He'd have caused nobody harm; no one alarm.
Listen, Jesus, to the warning I give.
Please remember that I want us to live.
But it's sad to see our chances weakening with every hour.
All your followers are blind. Too much heaven on their minds.
It was beautiful, but now it's sour. Yes it's all gone sour.
Listen, Jesus, to the warning I give.
Please remember that I want us to live.
C'mon, c'mon He won't listen to me ...
C'mon, c'mon He won't listen to me ...
" I've had so many men before,In very many ways,He's just one more."(今までだって沢山の男と付き合ってきたわ、それも色々な形でね。彼(ジーザス)だってその一人に過ぎない(筈なのに)、"I never thought I'd come to this. What's it all about? "(まさか自分がこんなになってしまうなんて夢にも思わなかった、何なのこれ?)、" Don't you think it's rather funny, I should be in this position"(ここまで来たらいっそお笑いよね、もとの私にもどるべきじゃないの)、"I'm the one who's always been So calm, so cool, no lover's fool, Running every show. He scares me so."(私はいつだって落ち着き払って、とってもクールで、恋のために愚かになったことなんか無かった、いつだってショーを仕切っているのは私だったのに。今はもうただ彼が恐しい)”。もし好きだとか彼に言われたら、もう「対応できない!(I couldn't cope)」
I don't know how to love him.
What to do, how to move him.
I've been changed, yes really changed.
In these past few days, when I've seen myself,
I seem like someone else.
I don't know how to take this.
I don't see why he moves me.
He's a man. He's just a man.
And I've had so many men before,In very many ways,
He's just one more.
Should I bring him down?
Should I scream and shout?
Should I speak of love,
Let my feelings out?
I never thought I'd come to this. What's it all about?
Don't you think it's rather funny, I should be in this position.
I'm the one who's always been So calm, so cool, no lover's fool, Running every show.
He scares me so.
I never thought I'd come to this.
What's it all about?
Yet, if he said he loved me,
I'd be lost. I'd be frightened.
I couldn't cope, just couldn't cope.
I'd turn my head. I'd back away.
I wouldn't want to know.
He scares me so.
I want him so.
I love him so.
この巨大で不可解な問題に悩む(神の破滅への意向)リーダーと、より小さなレベルでの正しさに固執する組織幹部という構図は、なんか、手塚治虫の「ブッダ」に出てくる、ブッダ VS ダイバダッタの構図を彷彿とさせます。リーダーはデカいレベルで悩んでるんだけど、「党の高級官僚」化する幹部は、愚かにも、正しくも、党運営の合理性とかそのレベルに囚われてしまう。ほんと、考えさせられるシーンです。中学の頃はそんなこと考えもしなかったけど。
あと、この曲、リフが「癒しの呪文」になってます。"Everything's alright, yes"(全ては大丈夫よ!)というのは、マントラのように永遠に繰り返せますので、困ったときに口ずさむといいです(^_^)。そして"Close your eyes, close your eyes, and relax.Think of nothing tonight."(さあ、目を閉じて〜、リラックスして〜、もう何も考えないで)というリフ。
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh.
Don't you know
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine.
And we want you to sleep well tonight.
Let the world turn without you tonight.
If we try, we'll get by, so forget all about us tonight
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you, and anoint you.
Myrrh for your hot forehead, oh.
Then you'll feel
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine.
And it's cool, and the ointment's sweet
For the fire in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, close your eyes
And relax, think of nothing tonight.
(ユダ)
Woman your fine ointment, brand new and expensive
Should have been saved for the poor.
Why has it been wasted? We could have raised maybe
Three hundred silver pieces or more.
People who are hungry, people who are starving
They matter more than your feet and hair!
(マリア)
Try not to get worried, try not to turn on to
Problems that upset you, oh.
Don't you know
Everything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes.
(ジーザス)
Surely you're not saying we have the resources
To save the poor from their lot?
There will be poor always, pathetically struggling.
Look at the good things you've got.
Think while you still have me!
Move while you still see me!
You'll be lost, and you'll be sorry when I'm gone.
(マリア)
Sleep and I shall soothe you, calm you and anoint you.
Myrrh for your hot forehead/
Then you'll feel
Everything's alright, yes, everything's fine.
And it's cool and the ointment's sweet
For the fire in your head and feet.
Close your eyes, close your eyes, and relax
Think of nothing tonight.
Everything's alright, yes, everything's alright, yes.
Close your eyes, close your eyes, and relax
Christ you know I love you. Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God So tell me that I'm saved.
Jesus I am with you. Touch me, touch me, Jesus.
Jesus I am on your side. Kiss me, kiss me, Jesus.
(サイモン)
Christ, what more do you need to convince you
That you've made it, and you're easily as strong As the filth from Rome who rape our country,
And who've terrorized our people for so long.
Jesus I am with you. Touch me, touch me, Jesus.
Jesus I am on your side. Kiss me, kiss me, Jesus.
Christ you know I love you. Did you see I waved?
I believe in you and God, So tell me that I'm saved. (繰り返し)
(サイモン)
There must be over fifty thousand Screaming love and more for you.
And everyone of fifty thousand Would do whatever you asked them to.
Keep them yelling their devotion,
But add a touch of hate at Rome.
You will rise to a greater power.
We will win ourselves a home.
You'll get the power and the glory For ever and ever and ever(繰り返し)
Forever Amen! Amen! Amen!
***********
Neither you, Simon, nor the fifty thousand,
Nor the Romans, nor the Jews,
Nor Judas, nor the twelve
Nor the priests, nor the scribes,
Nor doomed Jerusalem itself
Understand what power is,
Understand what glory is,
Understand at all, Understand at all.
If you knew all that I knew, my poor Jerusalem,
You'd see the truth, but you close your eyes. But you close your eyes.
While you live, your troubles are many, poor Jerusalem.
To conquer death, you only have to die.
You only have to die.
幾つか、面白そうな英文だけ書き抜いておきます。
"Listen to that howling mob of blockheads in the street! A trick or two with lepers, and the whole town's on its feet."(往来のブロック頭(アホ)どものわめき声をお聞き下さい。ドラッグを使った小細工の一つや二つで町中がすっかりその気になってしまっている)。Leaperは「跳ぶ人」という意味もあるがアンフェタミン系のドラッグ(覚醒剤とか)。ここでの「トリック」は奇跡のことだと思われるが、それを敢えてトリック(小細工)と貶めているのでしょう。on its feetは僕もよく分からないのですが、自分の足で立つこと、立ち上がって何かをしようとするという意味でしょう。
”rabble rousing"(愚劣な大衆を煽り立てる) 、"What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth? Miracle wonderman, hero of fools"(じゃあナザレのイエスに何をすればいいんだ?奇跡の人、馬鹿どものヒーローに?)、"No riots, no army, no fighting, no slogans."(かといって、暴動もないし、軍隊も、喧嘩も、スローガンだってない)、”One thing I'll say for him -- Jesus is cool"(一つ言えるとしたら、ジーザスは実にクールな奴だ)。
ここがカヤパさんの切れる最後の部分ですが、"Fools, you have no perception! The stake we are gambling are frighteningly high! We must crush him completely, So like John before him, this Jesus must die.For the sake of the nation, this Jesus must die."(馬鹿どもが!お前ら何にもわかっとらんわ。我々がやろうしている賭けは途方もなく高いんだぞ。奴は完璧に潰さないとならない。奴の先達であるヨハネ同様、このジーザスという男は死なねばならぬ。国家のために、奴は死なねばならぬのだ)
そこで、ついにユダも、「Cut the dramatics! (芝居がかった真似はやめてくれよ)」とキレてしまい、以下、二人の激論(てか罵倒の応酬)が続きます。歌的にはなかなか迫力あるボーカルバトルです。
ここでユダは、"You sad, pathetic man, see where you've brought us to"(お前はもう哀れで、イカれた奴だ、見ろ、お前が俺らをどこに連れてきたのか)といったあとに、何度も"jaded mandarin"と連呼します。この意味がわかりにくい。マンダリンといえば「蜜柑」「北京官語」ですが、古代中国の高級官僚という意味もあり、且つ古代中国においては最も賢いものがその職に就く。一方、Jadeは「疲れた、衰えた」という意味で、あわせて「かつては賢かったものが、疲弊し衰えてしまった」という意味になり、ここでは、かつては"superstar"だったジーザスも、今ではすっかり衰えてしまったという主旨でしょう。これは英語世界でも疑問になってるらしく、検索したらいろいろ語られてました(参考にしたのはここ)。
で、昔から僕のフェバリットシーンである「ピラト提督」の章になります。このいかにもオペラチックというか歌劇的な(同じ事か)な音楽が好きで、「ふ〜、い〜〜ず、でぃす、ぶろーくん、まん?かとりーぬあっぷ、まい、ほーうぇー」とテンポゆっくり歌うのですぐに覚えちゃって、しかもメロディがけっこうカッコいいし、歌うとすぐに劇中の人物みたいに浸れるのでよく歌ってました。まさに芝居がかってるって感じで、それが醍醐味。"Who is this broken man, cluttering up my hallway? Who is this unfortunate?" (私の廊下に散らかっているこの壊れた者は誰か?この不運な者は?”という、殆ど人をゴミ扱いするという、超上から目線の発言も、ローマ帝国の威光をわざとらしいまでに示してます。でも、「あん、ふぉー、ちゅー、ねっと?」って歌いやすいんですよ。
そういえば、「ほわっと?どぅー、ゆ、みーん、ばい、ざっと?」”What do you mean by that? ”(それどういう意味?)というのは日常でもよく使いますが、僕はここで覚えました。
ピラトの群衆への弾劾は胸がすくくらいで、"What is this new respect for Caesar? 'Till now this has been noticeably lacking."(なんだそれ?それは、シーザーに対する新しい崇拝のやりかたなのか?シーザーへの尊崇の念など、つい最近まで持ち合わせていなかったくせに!)、”You choose Messiahs by the sackfull.”「お前らは一山なんぼみたいなやり方で自分達の救世主を選ぶんかい?」、”You hypocrites,You hate us more than him.”「この偽善者どもが、お前らはジーザスよりも我等(ローマ)を憎んでいるんだろうが」、'I see no reason. I find no evil.This man is harmless, so why does he upset you? He's just misguided, thinks he's important,(処刑する理由がない、罪悪などなにもないではないか。この男は無害だ、なぜそんなにお前らは騒ぐのだ?彼は自分が重要人物であるかのように単にカンチガイしてるだけだ」とさんざん言います。
しかし、群衆に押し切られる形で、”But to keep you vultures happy I shall flog him.”(お前らハゲタカ野郎どもを満足させてやるために、敢えて鞭打ちにすることにする)と、「折衷案」を出します。死刑はなんぼなんでもしたくないから、せめてということでしょう。
39回(当時のユダヤの決まりとかで)の鞭打ちが行われ、数を数えるピラトさんも辛そうです。
鞭打ちのあと、このままでは死ぬぞ、頼むから釈明してくれ、釈放できるように何か言ってくれと、殆ど懇願するようなピラト提督、"How can I help you?" とまで言うのですが、ジーザスは「あなたは私の運命など握ってはいない。それはもっと遠くからくるものなのだ」と答えるのみ。さらに強まる群衆の要求、もうここまでと観念したピラトは、泣き叫ぶように "Don't let me stop your great self-destruction. Die if you want to, you misguided martyr."(もういい、お前の自殺を押しとどめるのはもう止めだ、そんなに死にたいなら死ねばいい、このカンチガイの殉教者が)といい、" I wash my hands of your demolition.Die if you want to you innocent puppet!"(もうお前の自殺からは手を引くぞ、死にたければ勝手に死ね、このインノセントな操人形が)。”wash my hand"というのは、単に手を洗うという意味だけではなく、やりかけた物事から手を引くという意味です。
Every time I look at you I don't understand
Why you let the things you did get so out of hand.
You'd have managed better if you'd had it planned.
Why'd you choose such a backward time in such a strange land?
If you'd come today you could have reached a whole nation.
Israel in 4 BC had no mass communication.
Tell me what you think about your friends at the top.
Who'd you think besides yourself's the pick of the crop?
Buddha, was he where it's at? Is he where you are?
Could Mohammed move a mountain, or was that just PR?
Did you mean to die like that? Was that a mistake, or
Did you know your messy death would be a record breaker?
Don't you get me wrong.
I only want to know.