Turn Back, O Man

Words & Music:

Stephen Schwarz (Godspell)

 

Turn back, O man!  Forswear thy foolish ways!

Old now is earth and none may count her days.

Yet thou, her child, whose head is crowned with flames.

Still will not hear thine inner God proclaims.

Turn back, O man [spoken:  Is your seat comfortable sir?]

Turn back, O man [spoken:  Mmm, I like that]

Turn back, O man [spoken:  Can you take it?]

Forswear thy foolish ways

[spoken:  See ya later, I'm going to the front of the thee-AY-ter]

 

Earth might be fair and all men glad and wise.

Age after age their tragic empires rise.

Built while they dream and in that dreaming weep.

Would man but wake from out his haunted sleep.

Turn back, O man...[spoken:  I'll say it again]

Turn back, O man... [spoken:  Can you see from where you're sittin'?]

Turn back, O man... [spoken:  Hiya, big boy!]

Forswear thy foolish ways

 

BRIDGE:

Earth shall be fair and all her people one

Not till that hour shall God's whole will be done

Now, even now, once more from earth to sky

Peals forth in joy man's old undaunted cry

Earth shall be fair and all her people one

 

[spoken:  C'mere Jesus, I got something to show ya!]

Turn back, O man!  Forswear thy foolish ways!

Old now is earth and none may count her days

Yet thou, her child whose head is crowned with flames

Still will not hear thine inner God proclaims

 

Turn back, O man!  Turn back, O man

Turn back, O man!  Forswear thy foolish ways!

 

[spoken:  Play it honey!]