Stephen Sondheim
Free
[HERO]
You are free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
I am what?

[HERO]
You are free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Oh, what a word
Oh, what a word
I've often thought
I've often dreamed
How it would be
And yet I never thought I'd be
But when you come to think of such things
A man should have the rights that all others
Can you imagine what it will be like when I am?
Can you see me?

Can you see me as a Roman with my head unbowed?
Sing it good and loud

[HERO]
Free!
[PSEUDOLUS]
Like a Roman, having rights, and like a Roman, proud?
Can you see me?

[HERO]
I can see you!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Can you see me as a voter fighting graft and vice?
Sing it soft and nice

[HERO]
Free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Why, I'll be so conscientious that I may vote twice!
Can you see me? Can you see me?

When I'm free to be whatevеr I want to be
Think what wonders I'll accomplish then!
Whеn the master that I serve is me and just me
Can you see me being equal with my countrymen?
Can you see me being Pseudolus the citizen?
Can you see me being–give it to me once again!

[HERO]
Free!
[PSEUDOLUS]
That's it!

[HERO]
Free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Yes!
Now, not so fast. I didn't think
The way I am, I have a roof, three meals a day
And I don't have to pay a thing
I'm just a slave and everything's free
If I were free, then nothing would be free
And if I'm beaten now and then
What does it matter?

[HERO]
Free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Can you see me?
Can you see me as a poet writing poetry?
All my verse will be–

[HERO]
Free!
[PSEUDOLUS]
A museum will have me pickled for posterity
Can you see me?
Can you see me?

Be you anything from king to baker of cakes
You're a vegetable unless you're free
It's a little word, but oh, the difference it makes
It's the necessary essence of democracy
It's the thing that every slave should have the right to be
And I soon will have the right to buy a slave for me
Can you see him?
Well, I'll free him!

When a Pseudolus can move, the universe shakes
But I'll never move until I'm free
Such a little word, but oh, the difference it makes
I'll be Pseudolus, the founder of a family
I'll be Pseudolus, the pillar of society
I'll be Pseudolus the man, if I can only be

[HERO]
Free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Sing it!

[HERO]
Free!

[PSEUDOLUS]
Spell it!

[HERO]
F-R-double–

[PSEUDOLUS]
No, the long way!

[HERO]
F-R-E-E

[PSEUDOLUS & HERO]
Free!