Elaborate Lives: The Story of Nightingale Skellington
Disclaimer: I don't own The Nightmare Before Christmas or Lyrics from Aida
Kudos to everyone who reviewed My Unwanted Future, Sally's Wish, and My Story, My Pain, and My Hope. I love you all. I'm sorry this took so look. It's a very long poem/music story. Our school did the musical AIDA so that's where I got the lyrics; of course I had to change some words.
I'm sorry if this is so long that you don't want to finish it. Please R&R.
Italics mean someone is singing
Now For The Story
It was so cold
That one winter day
No adults came to shovel
And no children went out to play
Everyone was deep inside
Their warm-filled homes
But in the museum downtown
Two can't leave until someone comes
A man and a lady
Both in early twenty's one would say
They dreamed instead of being trapped in the museum
They were lying on the bay
(man singing)
To sail away to half discovered placesTo see the secrets so few eyes have seen
To see moments of enchantment on our faces
Moments when we smile and those between
(woman singing)
If I could leave this place then I'd go sailingTo corner of the world where there would be
Sweet southern winds of liberty prevailing
A beauty so majestic and so free
(both singing)
There'd be no ties of time and space to bind me
And no horizon I could not pursue
I'd leave the world's misfortunes far behind me
I'd put my faith and trust in something new
But why should I tell you this
(woman singing)
A stranger I've just met
(man singing)
A woman whom I hardly know at all And will forget
(both singing)
A journey we can only dream of
Enchantment passing through
And how is it I say these things
So easily to you
They had never seen each other
Not heard of one other before
Though they are forced to be together
Because someone locked the door
But who would have ever known
That 1000 years go, they had met
They brought terrible destruction to a world
And a love no one would forget
One the other side of the museum
A statue watched them with delight
A statue of the prize-winning Victoria
Started to sing as she came to life
(Victoria Singing)
Every Story, tale, or memo
Every saga or romance
Whether true or fabricated
Whether planned or happened stance
Whether sweeping through the ages
Casting centuries aside
Or a hurried brief recital
Just a thirty-minute ride
Whether bright or dark and lonely
Rough and ready, finally spun
Whether with a thousand players
Or a lonely cast of one
Every Story, new or ancient
Bagatelle or work of art
All are tales of human failing
All are tales of love at heart
All of a sudden the museum went dark
As Victoria moved across the floor
And stepped 1000 years into the past
(Victoria Singing)
This a story of a loveThat flourished in a time of hate
Of lovers
No pain could separate
Love set into motion
On a spiral hill
Destiny ignited
With a long to kill
Jack Skellinton saw Halloween
As his very heart and soul
Source of life for all his people
That only he could control
Destruction of a broken family
Justified
Halloweentown exploited
Left with little more than pride
A long time ago
In the town of Halloween
Lived Jack Skellington and Sally
With the new princess to be seen
Her name was Nightingale
And she was quite a beauty
But deep inside her soul
Was a longing no one could see
Her body was flesh
Arms, legs, feet, and hands were bone
Her long blonde hair fell to her hips
But she was so alone
She wondered if she would ever leave
In this town called home
She wanted a love so bad
To call her own
So it was late one night
On all hollows eve
She went out into the real world
Her father's wishes she deceived
Nightingale was so amazed
With what she saw
Everyone was dressed like her
She thought it was a law
She ran into someone
Johnny was his name
And although she was completely different
He liked her all the same
3 days went by
She never changed out of her costume
She had a problem
That's what he assumed
Creatures in Halloween were very worried
Where did their princess go?
Jack had an idea
And went into the real world with an evil thought or so
Meanwhile, two teens sat on a hill
Like the one in her home
Even though he was human and she was dead
True love had come
Together they looked at the stars
Up in the dark sky
Nightingale was so happy
She could almost cry
She suddenly realized
This could never be
She wasn't like them
And she missed her family
He told her to remember a song
Know matter how far they were
Her eyes began to fill up with tears
As he sung the song to her
(Johnny Singing)
We all lead such elaborate lives
Wild ambitions in our sights
How an affair of the heart survives
Days apart and hurried nights
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to live like that
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to love like that
I just want our time to be
Slower and gentler, wiser, free
We all live in extravagant times
Playing games we can't all win
Unintended emotional crimes
Take some out, take others in
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to live like that
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to love like that
I just want to be with you
Now and forever, peaceful, true
This may not be the moment
To tell you face to face
But I can't wait forever
For the perfect time and place
(Johnny and Nightigale Singing)
We all lead such elaborate lives
We don't know whose words are true
Strangers, lovers, husbands, wives
Hard to know whose loving who
Too many choices tear us apartI don't want to live like that
Too many choices tear us apartI don't want to love like that
I just want to touch your heart
May this confession be the start
And with that he gave her a last kiss
Then she had to let go
And with that she was back in Halloween
But her tears never would show
Oh, poor Nightingale Skellington
Only 15 at the time
Had to confess to the king of nightmares
Of her unspeakable crime
He was angry. He was harsh
And gave her fear she never dreamed of
Over a stupid little thing
Love
(10 years later)
It had been 10 years
Since her fate was set
She banned from ever returning
To the world where they met
But Nightingale
Always loving to be free
Had to see him one last time
Love was something her father could not see
It was a dark that night
As she went through the wall
On the road, she saw moving bright lights
The car swerved off the road and took a small fall
There were two people inside
Nightingale ran to the car
And saw that the man was barely alive
She pulled him out of the car
And brought him aside
He looked so familiar
Maybe she had seen him before
She knew it was Johnny
The man she always adored
But he was bleeding on the head
It must have happened when he fell
She took him back to Halloween
So he could get well
There were two people inside
Nightingale was too busy
Gazing upon a man who she had to meet
That she never noticed the other living person
An engaged woman in the back seat
When Johnny opened his eyes
He didn't believe what he sees
His long lost lover in front of him
Could it be?
Of course it was
He had remembered her face
But as he opened his eyes
He realized he was in an unrecognizable place
Hello my dear
Was what she said
And on his scrapped knee
Is where she laded her head
They held each other
They never wanted to let go
But then he remembered his bride to be Victoria
But had he loved her so
Meanwhile in Halloween
Jack Skellington was at his worst
Sally had never seen him this early
Under his breath he would curse
Where is she!
Jack screamed with all his might
Then he looked at his terrified wife
He had given her quite a fright
Sally thought it was bad
Her and Jack's love was falling apart
It had been only 25 years
Since she gave him her heart
Did he ever love her? At all?
Nightingale returned home that night
To see Lock in her room
Only to find out
That he was her future groom
Jack had arranged it
He was sick of her running away
Everyone in town had agreed
And Nightingale had no say
But Lock had a secret
A most deadly one indeed
He was secretly poisoning Jack
To be king he might be
Nightingale, angered by father
Took off into the night
Only to see Johnny
With Victoria by his side
She wasn't angry
Nor was she crying
But behind her charming smile
She was dying
She is my future wife, he explained
As Nightingale came near
Victoria said a friendly hello
And Nightingale thought she was a dear
Johnny had to back
Call some he did say
Because his car broke down
He would be one more day
While he was away
Victoria and Nightingale bonded really well
And slowly became friends; but not for very long
Nightingale was frightened to be queen
Victoria tried to make her see what was wrong
(Nightingale Singing)
I may leave a great impression as I race through a succession
Of the latest scares, chase the newest fears
I feel better when beguiling find that scaring keeps me smiling
But in my heart, I know it's full of tears
(Victoria Singing)
That a life of great potential
Is dismissed inconsequential
(Nightingale Singing)
And only ever seen as being cute
So I'll flutter to deceive
(Victoria Singing)
Oh no, no you must believe
That one-day you're bound to find
(both singing)
A stronger suit
Johnny returned a moment later
And Nightingale said she had to go
She waved her goodbye to the two happy lovers
Her anger they would never know
Victoria said it was her turn
To call that she was ok
Johnny watched her disappear
He had never known true pain till this day
(Johnny Singing)
I once knew all the answers
I stood on certain ground
A picture of true happiness, a confidence so effortless
No brighter could be found
I never asked the questions
That troubled me today
I knew all there was to know, love one lightly put on show
My conquests on display
And who'd thought that confidence could die
Not Me, Not Me
That all I took for granted was a lie
Not Me, Not Me
And who'd guessed I'd throw my world away
To be with someone I'm afraid will say Not Me
(Nightingale Singing)
I shall not envy lovers
But long for what they share
(Sally Singing)
An empty room is merciless
Don't be surprised if I confess
I need some comfort there
(Nightingale, Victoria, and Sally Singing)
And who'd thought our love could be so good
Not Me, Not Me
And showed me things I never understood
Not Me, Not Me
And who'd guessed he'd throw his world away
To be with someone till his dying day
Not Me, Not Me
A couple days later
Victoria was getting rather displeased
For Johnny never showed her any affection, or love
And for romance, he would never lead
She found out sooner
That she was carrying another
Victoria was so excited
When she heard she gonna be a mother
Jack was very ill
He told Nightingale that she needed to start ruling
And her marriage
He just wanted to her happy for his time was ending
Nightingale was so confused
Her people or her love
She clasped her hands to together
And prayed to above
Victoria walked the streets shamelessly
Would he not proud that it was his?
Was their love slipping away
Would she ever be something he would miss
(Victoria Singing)
It's so strange he doesn't show me
More affection than he needs
Almost formal, too respectful
Never takes romantic leads
There are times when I imagine
I'm not always on his mind
He's not thinking what I'm thinking
Always half a step behind
Always half a step behind
(Jack Singing)
I'm in every kind of trouble
Can't you tell just look at me
Half ecstatic Half dejected
All and all I'm all at sea
Easy terms I thought she wanted
Fill me now with chilling dread
You can never know the chaos
Of a life turned on its head
Of a life turned on its head
(Nightingale Singing)
I am certain that I love him
But a love can be misplaced
Have I compromised my people?
In my passion and my haste
I could be his life companion
Anywhere but where we are
Am I a leader? Am I a traitor?
Did I take a step too far?
Did I take a step too far?
Victoria knew what she had to do
She couldn't tell him face to face
She would have Nightingale do it
Because it was her place
Oh, Victoria! Please don't make me! Nightingale begged
This would certainly be the end
I would never make you Victoria explained
I'm asking you as my friend
Victoria took off
She said she needing some sleep
Nightingale went back to her mansion
And what heavy tears she weeps
Meanwhile, at the Skellington Mansion
Jack was still very ill
He found a letter addressed to Nightingale
And it was now Johnny he wanted to kill
(Johnny Singing)
Dear Nightingale,
I'm sorry for everything I said
And for everything I forgot to say too
When things get so complicated
I stumble my best model through
I wish that our lives could be simple
I don't want the world only you
I wish I could tell you this face to face
But there's never the time, never the place
So this letter will have to do
I Love You
With Love
Johnny
Jack was completely outraged
He was stunned
He recognized that name
And that a new romance had begun
Right then, Nightingale entered the door
She knew her father was mad
He told her about the letter
And this made her rather sad
Jack said that she was never to see him again
And that she should be ashamed
Only once did Nightingale tried to argue
Then a very hard slap came
Sally watched
As her daughter slid across the floor
Jack cursed under his breath
Then turned, left, and slammed the door
This isn't fair! Nightingale screamed
I don't love Lock! I know his plans to kill
Sally just frowned and left the room
That's when Nightingale's heart went still
Did I ever think that he loved me back?
My people need a future queen
Even though I'll always think about him
My love for him will remain unseen
What do I do?
What do I do?
(Nightingale Singing)
This is the moment when they expect me to beg for help
But I won't even try
I want nothing in this world but myself to protect me
And I won't lie down, rollover, and die
All I have to do is forget I how much I love him
All I have to do is put my longing to one side
Tell myself that love's an ever-changing situation
Passion would have cooled and all the magic would have died
It's easy
It's easy
All I have to do is pretend I never knew him
On those very rare occasions when he steals into my heart
Better to have lost him when the ties were barely binding
Better the contempt for the familiar cannot scold
It's easy
It's easy
Until I think about him as he was when I last touched him
And how would he have been? Would I be with him today?
Those very rare occasions don't let up they keep on coming
All I've ever wanted…and I'm throwing it away
It's easy
It's easy as life
But then I see the faces of a worn defeated people
A father and a nation who will never come undone
This is how the royals pick their faithful through the ages
Forcing us to prove the hardest things we've done
They're easy
So easy
And though I'll think about him till this world comes in around me
And though I choose to leave him for another kind of love
This is no denial, nor portrayal, but redemption
Redeemed in my own eyes and the gods from above
It's easy
It's easy as life
It's easy as life
It's easy as life
Nightingale ran towards the spiral hill
That where'd they'd be
She had to tell him that it's over
She had to make him see
He was already there
Watching and waiting
When he tried to embrace her
She started saying
I'm here to say good-bye
Johnny was shocked
He told her that this was not the end
This made her feel mocked
You and me can never be
Why can't you see?
(Nightingale Singing)
I am here to tell you
We can never meet again
Simple really, isn't it
A word or two and then
A lifetime of not knowing
Where, how, why, or when
You'll think of me, or speak of me
And wonder what be fell
That someone you once loved
So long ago so well
(Johnny Singing)
Never wonder what I feel
As living shuffles by
You don't have to ask me
And I need not reply
Every moment of my life
From now until I die
I will think or dream of you
And fail to understand
How a perfect love can be confounded out of hand
Is it written in the stars?
Are we paying for some crime?
Is that all that we are good for?
Just some stretch of mortal time
Or some God's experiment
In which we have no say
In which we're given paradise
But only for a day
Marry Victoria, Johnny
This could be our chance to do something important
Don't you see?
(Nightingale Singing)
Nothing can be altered
There is nothing to decided
No escape, no change of her
Nor anyplace to hide
(Johnny Singing
You are all I've ever wanted
But this I am denied
Sometimes in my darkest thoughts
I wish I never learned
(both singing)
What it is to be in love
And have that love returned
(Nightingale Singing)
Is it written in the stars?
Are we paying for some crime?
Is that all that we are good for?
Just some stretch of mortal time
(both singing)
Or some God's experiment
In which we have no say
In which we're given paradise
But only for a day
Johnny said to meet her
Later that night same place
Nightingale turned the other way
To tell her father she would never again see his face
Johnny ran deep inside the hills
Just then a figure came out behind a rock
She had heard everything the two lovers said
This figure was Victoria
(Victoria Singing)
How have I come to this?
How did I slip and fall?
How did I throw half a lifetime away?
Without any thought at all
This should have been my time
It's over it never began
I closed my eyes to so much for so long
That I no longer can
I try to the blame it on fortune
Some kind of shift in a star
But I know the truth and it haunts me
It's flown just a little too far
I know the truth
And it mocks me
I know the truth
And it shocks me
It's flown just a little too far
Why do I want him still?
Why when there's nothing there
How to go on with the rest of my life
To pretend I don't care
This should have been my time
It's over it never began
I closed my eyes to so much for so long
That I no longer can
I try to blame it on fortune
Some kind of twist in my fate
I but I know the truth and it haunts me
I learned it a little too late
I know the truth
And it mocks me
I know the truth
And it shocks me
I learned it a little too late
Too late.
And with that
Victoria dropped her ring
And left never to return again
Her broken heart always to sing
Nightingale waited and waited
Until it was barely dawn
She tried to sneak out
But sally caught her before she was gone
You lied? She asked
I must see him again
You would betray your family
I must see him again
Nightingale stormed out the door
Leaving Sally crying on the floor
(Sally Singing)
There is a time there is a place
When love should conquer all
The rest of life is pushed aside
As truth and reason fall
But only if that selfishness
Can lead to something good
I thought knew you, daughter
But I never I understood
When she reached to top of the hill
Nightingale was mortified
Johnny was on the guillotine
With Jack by his side
They had caught him
They were going to kill him
Why! She screamed
With all her might
She stuck terror into some hearts
And others she stuck fright
They wouldn't listen
And they could care less so
Then she remembered the song
They sang 10 years ago
(Nightingale Singing)
We all lead such elaborate lives
Wild ambitions in our sights
How an affair of the heart survives
Days apart and hurried nights
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to live like that
Seems quite unbelievable to me
I don't want to love like that
I just want our time to be
Slower and gentler, wiser, free
We all live in extravagant times
Playing games we can't all win
Unintended emotional crimes
Take some out, take others in
Too many choices tear us apartI don't want to live like that
Too many choices tear us apartI don't want to love like that
I just want to keep your heart
May this confession be the start
I know you gave me courage to face what I must face
With all these complications in another time and place
(Nightingale and Johnny Singing)
We all lead such elaborate lives
We don't know whose words are true
An affair of the heart survives
All the pain this world can do
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to live like that
I'm so tired of all we're going through
I don't want to love like that
I just want to be with you
Now and forever, peaceful, true
A few seconds later
They both stood below the king
With hands bound to chains
Down on their knees
Sally was by his side
They had pushed it over the edge this time
Now they had to be punished
For their crime
Jack suggested that they both beheaded
But Sally made a request
That they would be buried alive in one tomb together
Nothing more nothing less
That would be mercy
Jack tried to say
Your Majesty! You have poison in your blood!
Even thought I'm queen
I will still be alone
Because everyone I loved
Will be gone
Jack agreed to the punishment
And wished his daughter good-bye
Not knowing that later that night
He would die
Johnny and Nightingale
Were placed in a dark tomb
Both were holding on to each other
The end had come too soon
They promised to find each other
In their next life
And if not they would keep searching till the end of time
There was a better world waiting for them
(Johnny Singing)
There'd be no ties of time and space to bind us
(Nightingale Singing)
And no horizon we could not pursue
(both singing)
We leave this world misfortune far behind us
And I'll put my faith and trust in you
Oh, poor Nightingale
Only 25 at the time
Died only a few seconds later
With her soul mate by her side
From deep within the tomb
(Victoria Singing)
A gentle light still shown
Showing my path
As a continued on my own
Certain in my heart that ancient wars must cease
The lover's death gave birth to a rein of peace
Slowly, Very Slowly
The prize-winning Victoria walked 1000 years back into the present
Back into the museum
Where the two strangers were
And every story, every journey
(Victoria Singing)
Every lesson we provide
They drew their strength and inspiration
From a love that never…died.
And with that she was a statue again
Now these two stangers
Who had never met before
Were looking at the statue
And realized they had met before
They stared at each other
And came closer together
What's your name? The man asked
Nightingale she replied
Johnny came up closer and kissedNightingale and she kissed back
Because even after a thousand years
Their love never died
They had finally found each other.
