One By One Lyrics

One By One Text

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Guillaume
(he is joined in the streets by other villagers and Father Dominic)
Friends, with the word of God as my witness, I saw Protestants, I swear
And then I saw Martin was with them, with the heretics and prayers
One by one, the devil's heard
One by one, they mock our lord
Do we let them tear our land apart
They will destroy us one by one!
Go out and get him, bring Martin and we will see the bastard die!
(the light torches)
Father Dominic
You cannot kill a man for his beliefs, although the man has lived a lie
Just one death and hate will grow
Once begun the blood will flow
Guillaume
If we don't stop them they will bring down every peasant man and child
Killing and raping without mercy till the whole land is defiled
Three crones
We believed them, gave them love
They betrayed the lord above
Guillaume
(...)
It's up to you to take this chance
Will you shed his blood for France?
(the villagers light torches; Guillaume pulls out his knife)
Working on the land that we're born to live for
Dying for the land, it's our sacrifice
Killing for the land, we must pay the price
Land to last, as it's passed, man to son
When it's done as planned
For the while (?), we will die for the Catholic land
(two men bring Arnaud in and hold him on the ground. Bertrande
is held away from Arnaud. Guillaume raises his knife and is about
to kill Arnaud when Benoit comes in and grabs Guillaume's hand)
Benoit
NO!
Please! He's n-not Martin Guerre!
You can ask Louison on the day he came
She told me that he was called another name
(they let Arnaud up and the villagers stare at Benoit.
Bertrande breaks free and runs to Arnaud.)
Guillaume
Then who's the bastard that's been sleeping in her bed?
(he threatens Louison)
Tell us what he told you or your friend is dead
Benoit
I can't remember
Guillaume
You'd better remember
(he rushes toward Arnaud and has to be restrained)
I'll kill the imposter, the bastard has lied!
Father Dominic
It's up to the law now, we'll see that he's tried
Get Pierre!
(Bertrande is pulled away from Arnaud and they are held at
opposite ends of the stage, while Guillaume is restrained
between them)