The Nutcracker Suite

The Nutcracker Suite

1. Overture (tracks 1 & 10)

Welcome, it’s Christmas time, the party’s just beginning.

Come to the festive house to join with friends and family

Clara and brother Fritz are playing, dancing, singing.

Waiting to open gifts that lie beneath the Christmas tree.

N. 1: The children shouted out with glee, as the doors opened to reveal the tree.

N. 2: It filled the room with brilliant light; oh yes, there were squeals of great delight!

N. 3: Just then did the Godpapa appear, with a special gift for the children dear.

N. 4: A giant box, a big surprise! You should have seen those children’s eyes!

Come, see the boxes there, all wrapped in lovely ribbons.

Bonbons and candy canes and star-shaped cookies dress the tree.

Toy trains and baby dolls and soldiers on white horses.

Then came the final gift, a Nutcracker for all to see.

N. 5: The Nutcracker was put to a major test by Fritz and Clara and all the rest.

N. 6: He cracked nuts till he could no more, then Fritz just tossed him on the floor.

N. 7: As night drew near and guests departed, Clara’s heart was brokenhearted.

N. 8: Rather than going straight to bed, she snuck down to see the broken Nutcracker instead.

N. 9: Sleepily, as she laid him down, ‘twas then the mice in the house went to town!

2. March (tracks 2 & 11)

We’ll follow the Mouse King where he goes. For he is our king with his pink nose.

We’ll march along, we’ll march along, we’ll march along, we’ll march along,

We’ll march along, we’ll march along, we’ll march along behind him!

Yes, he is our leader for today. And right here behind him we will stay.

We’ll march along, …

N. 10: Just then the Nutcracker awoke, and to the many toy soldiers he spoke.

N. 11: (Nutcracker) To battle, all, against the mice. Take up your swords or pay the price!

Watch out as the mice and soldiers fight. Yes, we could go on for half the night.

We’ll march along, …

Nutcracker and King fight one on one. No, neither will stop till he is done.

We’ll march along, …

N. 12: The Nutcracker and army stopped, for most of them, by now, had dropped.

N. 13: But Clara made a final charge and threw her slipper, which was large.

N. 14: It hit the Mouse King in the head, and his many followers feared him dead.

N. 15: ‘Twas then I saw magic as I’ve not seen since. The Nutcracker became a handsome Prince!

N. 16: He took Clara to his Toyland, and to the Land of Sweets,

where dancing Sugar Plums were ready with treats!

3. Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy (tracks 3 & 12)

Can’t you see those lovely sugar plums, dancing here, dancing there, dancing all around?

Can’t you see those lovely sugar plums, jumping here, jumping there, jumping up and down?

Can’t you see those lovely sugar plums, hopping here, popping there, never make a sound?

They’re so yummy, in my tummy, nice and gummy, sugar plums! (repeat all)

N. 17: In a fantasy dream Clara couldn’t explain, more dancers appeared to entertain.

N. 18: A Russian trio took their place, and danced with energy and grace.

4. Russian Dance, “Trepak” (tracks 4 & 13)

Watch as the Russians do their dance. It seems they are taking quite a chance.

They hover just above the floor, and kick their legs in sets of four.

Now they are turning round and round, and landing again without a sound.

Then click their heels up in the sky. It seems that they’re about to fly!

Hear the balalaika! Hear the balalaika! (8 beats rest)

Come dance! Come dance! Come swirl and twirl and whirl around!

Watch as the Russians do their dance. It seems they are taking quite a chance.

They hover just above the floor, and kick their legs in sets of four.

We are making quite a roar as we all yell for more and more!

One and two and three and four. (You think that they are getting sore?)

They are heading for the door as we applaud for an encore!

N. 19: With ankle bracelets tinkling bright, an Arabian dancer came into sight.

N. 20: Moving slowly, with a veil on her face, she came on stage and took her place.

5. Arab Dance (tracks 5 & 14)

Follow, follow, follow me. Follow, follow, follow me.

Slowly moving, slowly turning. Come and follow me.

Slowly moving, slowly turning. Come and follow me. Come and follow, follow me.

Follow, follow, follow me. Follow, follow, follow me.

N. 21: A Chinese man then led the way as two young women turned our way.

N. 22: With fluttering fans, eyes filled with joy; they danced for us, both shy and coy.

6. Chinese Dance (tracks 6 & 15)

Come, see the Chinese dancers. With waving fans and lovely hands.

Come, see the Chinese dancers. With tiny feet, move on the beat.

Come, see the Chinese dancers. They move so slow and bow down low.

Come, see the Chinese dancers. Silk clothes they wear without compare.

Come, see the Chinese dancers. With waving fans and lovely hands.

Come, see the Chinese dancers. With tiny feet, move on the beat.

They move so slow and bow down low. Silk clothes they wear without compare.

Come, see the Chinese dancers!

N. 23: Then we saw reed flutes appear. They lightened up the atmosphere!

N. 24: And not since then have we found anything that compares to that glorious sound.

7. Dance of the Reed Flutes (tracks 7 & 16)

Listen to the lovely reed flutes. Moving very lightly on the melody.

Can you hear the grace notes, pretty little grace notes?

Lightly skipping through the music. Moving very quickly on the melody.

Can you hear the grace notes, pretty little grace notes?

Now the oboe has its say! The oboe has its way!

(repeat first 4 lines.)

N. 25: The Prince and Clara were in awe of all the dancers that they saw.

N. 26: But the grand finale took the prize. They just couldn’t believe their eyes!

N.27: Hundreds of flowers, colorful and bright, brought them both such great delight!

8. Waltz of the Flowers (tracks 8 & 17)

N. 28: And in her heart, young Clara knew, that night, she had become a princess, too.

If I believe my dreams, I could be waltzing with flowers.

If I believe my dreams, I could be waltzing for hours.

See the flowers swirling. See the flowers twirling.

In the magic toyland, Clara and her Prince will stay!

See the snow that’s falling. Hear the magic calling.

Flowers are enthralling. Clara and her Prince watching the ballet.

Such a story, filled with glory, as the end is drawing nearer.

Roses dancing, so entrancing. See the lilies, daisies, tulips and marigolds. What a sight to behold!