Stephen Flaherty
Mama Will Provide
[STORYTELLER (WOMAN 1), spoken]
But on this island, the earth sings
As soon as the storm ends

[STORYTELLER (MAN 2), spoken]
And as Ti Moune set out
She realized
She was walking with old friends

[STORYTELLER (ANDREA), spoken]
The birds...

[STORYTELLERS (WOMEN, EXCEPT TI MOUNE, PAPA GE)]
Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo coo — coo coo, coo coo, coo coo coo —

[STORYTELLERS (PAPA GE, DANIEL, ARMAND, MEN)]
Sha sha sha — aah!

[STORYTELLER (MAN 2), spoken]
The trees...

[STORYTELLERS (PAPA GE, DANIEL, ARMAND, MEN)]
Sha sha sha — aah!

[STORYTELLERS (TONTON, AGWE, MEN)]
Bum bum bum!
[STORYTELLER (ARMAND), spoken]
The frogs...

[STORYTELLERS (TONTON, AGWE, MEN)]
Bah - um bum bum!

[STORYTELLERS (ANDREA, WOMEN), spoken]
And the breezes...

[MAMA, WOMEN (as birds)]
Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo, coo! Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo, coo! Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo, coo! Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo, coo!

[ERZULIE, ANDREA (as breezes)]
Hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo

[STORYTELLER (PAPA GE), spoken]
Ti Moune lost all her fear. She knew Asaka was near!

[ASAKA, spoken]
You’ve never been away from the sea, child. You’re gonna need a helping hand
A fish has got to learn to swim on land!

[ALL (EXCEPT TI MOUNE, DANIEL)]
Huh!

[ASAKA]
Walk with me, little girl
Don’t you be afraid
Follow me, little girl
Let me be your guide
A pretty thing like you will need a thing or two
And whatever you need
Mama will provide
Oh...
Down the road, little girl
You may lose your way
All alone in a world
That may seem too wide
But sit on mama’s lap
And I will draw a map
And whatever you need
Mama will provide!

I’ll provide you:

[ANDREA]
Moss!

[ASAKA]
To soften the road!

[WOMAN 2]
Rocks!

[ASAKA]
To sit on!

[MAN 1]
Trees!
[ASAKA]
To sleep underneath!

[MAN 2]
Sand!

[ASAKA]
Fun for your toes!

[STORYTELLERS (ANDREA, PAPA GE, ARMAND, TONTON, AGWE, MAN 2)]
Plantain!

[ASAKA]
To fill up your belly

[ARMAND]
Breeze!

[ASAKA]
To fan your face!

[WOMAN 1]
Grass!

[ASAKA]
For making your bed!

[TI MOUNE]
Mosquitoes?

[ASAKA]
Ha!
Bugs will bite, little girl
And the night will fall
All alone in the dark
You’ll be terrified
But you will make it through
‘Cause I am liking you!
And whatever
You need
Mama will provide!

[ALL (EXCEPT ASAKA, TI MOUNE, DANIEL)]
Mama will provide...
Mama will provide...
Mama will provide...

[ASAKA]
Oh...
Walk with me, little girl
I’ll take you far
‘Round each bend, little friend
I’ll be by your side
That’s what a mama’s worth
To give her child the earth
And whatever
You need, mama will...

[ALL (EXCEPT ASAKA, TI MOUNE, DANIEL)]
Mama will
Mama will
Mama will oh!
Mama will

[ASAKA]
Provide!!!