There Is Always An Answer (You Just Have To See It)

Songtext

[TITLE: THERE IS ALWAYS AN ANSWER (YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE IT)] [INTRO – GENTLE PIZZICATO STRINGS, UPRIGHT PIANO, CLARINET AND LIGHT ORCHESTRAL FLOURISHES. CHEERFUL 1960S BRITISH MUSICAL ATMOSPHERE] [CHILD, SPOKEN, WORRIED] Mrs Swaffer! It’s all gone wrong! [MRS SWAFFER, SPOKEN, PERFECTLY CALM] Has it? How very inconvenient. [CHILD] What are we going to do? [MRS SWAFFER] Well, let’s have a look, shall we? [VERSE 1 – WARM, ARTICULATE BRITISH FEMALE VOCAL, GENTLE BOUNCING RHYTHM] The tables are all soaking, And the bunting’s coming down. The rain has filled the flowerbeds And flooded half the town. We planned a lovely summer fête, With cakes and games and tea. But now the green’s a muddy field, As far as we can see. [CHILDREN, SPOKEN] It’s ruined! [MRS SWAFFER, SPOKEN] Nonsense! There’s a perfectly good hall across the road. [SHORT BRASS FLOURISH] [CHORUS – BRIGHT, MEMORABLE MELODY, FULL ORCHESTRA, PLAYFUL CHILDREN’S RESPONSE] There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [CHILDREN: LOOK AGAIN!] Not every little problem Needs a grand new plan. Move a chair, ask a neighbour, Do the little thing you can. There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [INSTRUMENTAL – EIGHT BARS, JAUNTY CLARINET, PIZZICATO STRINGS AND CHEEKY TUBA] [VERSE 2 – LIVELY CHARACTER SINGING, CHILDREN INTERRUPT WITH QUESTIONS] We’ve carried all the tables, And the cakes are in the hall. But no one has the front door key, So we can’t get in at all! [CHILD] I’ve checked beneath the flowerpots, I’ve looked behind the gate! [MRS SWAFFER] And where did you last have it, dear? [CHILD] At half past eight! [MRS SWAFFER] And what were you doing? [CHILD] Carrying the decorations. [MRS SWAFFER] Then look amongst the decorations! [CHILD, DELIGHTED] It’s in the bunting box! [SHORT JOYFUL ORCHESTRAL FLOURISH] [CHORUS – CHILDREN NOW SING MORE CONFIDENTLY, ORCHESTRA GROWS] There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [CHILDREN: LOOK AGAIN!] Not every little problem Needs a grand new plan. Move a chair, ask a neighbour, Do the little thing you can. There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [INSTRUMENTAL DANCE BREAK – SIXTEEN BARS, PLAYFUL STRINGS, PICCOLO, LIGHT TAP-DANCE RHYTHMS, BRASS AND PIANO. MUSIC BECOMES INCREASINGLY EXUBERANT] [VERSE 3 – MUSIC QUIETENS, GENTLE PIANO AND WOODWINDS] Now little Annie’s standing By the piano on the stage. She’s practised for a fortnight, But she’s frightened all the same. The hall is full of people, And she cannot start her song. She turns to Mrs Swaffer and says, “I think I’ll get it wrong.” [MRS SWAFFER, SPOKEN, KINDLY] Would it help if we sang with you? [ANNIE, SPOKEN] All of you? [MRS SWAFFER] Well, why ever not? [CHILDREN, SINGING SOFTLY] One, two, three… [BRIDGE – TENDER, MELODIC FEMALE LEAD, CHILDREN GRADUALLY JOIN, STRINGS GENTLY SWELL] And sometimes when you’re worried, Or you’re frightened what to do, The answer isn’t something You must find all by yourself. There’s someone who can help you, Or perhaps just stay nearby. You needn’t do it perfectly, And there’s no harm in a try. [SHORT PAUSE, MUSIC SUSPENDED] [ANNIE, SPOKEN] Shall we start again? [MRS SWAFFER, SPOKEN] From the beginning, I think! [FINAL CHORUS – JOYFUL ORCHESTRAL LIFT, FULL COMPANY SINGING, RICH HARMONIES AND CHILDREN’S CALL-AND-RESPONSE] There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [CHILDREN: LOOK AGAIN!] Not every little problem Needs a grand new plan. Move a chair, ask a neighbour, Do the little thing you can. There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [FINAL REFRAIN – WARM, TRIUMPHANT ENSEMBLE, MELODY BROADENS] When the rain comes pouring down, We can find another place. When the key’s gone missing, We can think and retrace. When you’re frightened of beginning, Someone else can sing along. There is always an answer, And together we’ll find one! [OUTRO – STRINGS, WOODWINDS AND BRASS BUILD TO A JOYFUL, OLD-FASHIONED MUSICAL FINALE] [CHILDREN, SINGING] There is always an answer, You just have to see it! [ORCHESTRA STOPS] [CHILD, SPOKEN] Mrs Swaffer? We’ve run out of biscuits. [MRS SWAFFER, SPOKEN] Well, that is rather more serious. [CHILDREN LAUGH] [CHEEKY CLARINET RUN AND FINAL ORCHESTRAL STING]