"Ten Long Years" lyrics - ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

[GIRY]
Hurry up people! You have four more shows to do! No time to dawdle!

(Giry Sits down and reads a newspaper)

[MEG]
Mother did you see?
Was it all alright?
Mother was he watching?
Was he keeping out of sight

I was frightened half to death
And I had to catch my breath
As the lights began to dim
I was suddenly aware of a presence in the air
And I knew it was him

Yes I know there were some snags
There are moments where it lags

Mother, mother what's wrong?

[GIRY]
A surprise announcement, from Mr. Oscar Hammerstein
Christine Daae left Paris this morning to sing at the opening of his new Manhattan opera house

[MEG]
Christine, Christine

[GIRY]
Christine...

Ten long years
Not a sign, not a word
Ten long years
Now she comes to our shows
We must pray she keeps away
From us, and from him
And his dreams and his scores

[MEG]
What do you mean?

[GIRY]
In Paris, when the mob surrounded him
Who was there? We were there
Where was she when the low men hounded him?
Gone, long gone
We stayed on

Who concealed him safe away?
Smuggled him up to Calais?
Found a freighter out of France?

[MEG]
I don't see the problem
This is ancient history

[GIRY]
And who helped him buy his first sideshow?

[MEG]
Mother don't...

[GIRY]
And who plied the politicians?

[MEG]
That's all over now!

[GIRY]
Charmed investors and the press?
No, not her

And who stayed with him?
Helped him and advised him?
We stayed with him
Loved and Idolized him
She betrayed him
Shunned him and despised him

She chose Raoul
Chose to make a new start
Chose beauty and youth over genius and art
Fixed her aim on wealth and fame
Fled from the master yet fled with his heart

[MEG]
It seems a hundred years ago
When you and I were both on show
Dancing side by side
Shy and starry-eyed
The waves now bring you back to me
And any day we soon will be
Side by side again
Just the same as then

[BOTH]
Ah, Christine
Long Ago
How I watched as you rose like a star
Ah, Christine
We have all traveled long
Traveled far
Ah, Christine

[MEG]
You seem a thousand miles away
And yet your ship sets out today
Sails across the sea
Bringing you to me
And I will show you all the sights
Manhattan's noise
And Coney's lights
Friends at last again
Just the same as then
Just like way back when