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 places

To 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 sailing

To 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 love

That 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 apart

I don't want to live like that

Too many choices tear us apart

I 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 apart

I don't want to live like that

Too many choices tear us apart

I 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.