Once and For All
Alan Menken Lyrics

There's change coming once and for all
Change is inevitable and it will happen definitely and permanently.

You makes the front page and man, you is major news
You will become famous and attract attention if you get featured in the front page of the newspaper.

Tomorrow they'll see what we are
The future will reveal our true identity and worth.

And sure as a star, we ain't come this far... to lose
We have come a long way and we are not going to lose now.

Here they come!!
They are approaching and we need to be ready.

This is the story we needed to write as we're kept out of sight, well no more
This is the story we have been waiting to tell as we have been suppressed and ignored for a long time.

In a few hours by dawns early light we'll be ready to fight us a war
We will be prepared and geared up to fight a battle at the break of dawn in a few hours.

This time we're in it to stay, talk about seizing the day
We are committed and determined to stick around and make the most of this moment.

Write it in ink or in blood, it's the same either way. They're gonna damn well pay!
The result will be the same even if we have to fight to the death, our oppressors will pay for their actions.

See old man Pulitzer snug in his bed, he don't care if we're dead or alive
Pulitzer, who is comfortably sleeping in his bed, is indifferent to whether we live or die.

Three satin pillows are under his head, while we's begging for bread to survive
He is resting his head on luxury pillows, while we are struggling to survive and begging for food.

Joe, you can stop counting sheep, we're gonna sing ya to sleep
Joe, you can stop worrying and take rest, as we will make sure you sleep soundly.

You've got your thugs with their stick and their slugs, Yeah! But we got a promise to keep!
You may have goons with weapons, but we have a promise to fulfill and we will keep it.

Once and for all if they don't find their manners, we'll bleed 'em! (Bleed 'em!)
We will make them behave properly, even if it requires us to use force or violence.

Once and for all we won't carry no banners that don't spell freedom!
We will not carry banners that do not represent freedom.

Finally we's raising the stakes, this time whatever it takes!
We are increasing the intensity and magnitude of this fight, and this time we will do whatever it takes to win.

This time the union awakes, once and for all!
The union has woken up and come together, and this is the decisive moment when the outcome will be decided.

Come on, boys!
Let's go, guys!

Yeah!!
Exclamation of enthusiasm and excitement.

This is for kids shining shoes on the street with no shoes on their feet everyday
This is for the children who have to work on the streets and do not have proper footwear.

This is for guys sweating blood in the shops while their bosses and cops look away
This is for the workers who work really hard in the factories, but their bosses and the law enforcement turn a blind eye.

I'm seeing kids standing tall, glaring and raring a brawl
I see the children standing strong, ready and enthusiastic to fight.

All of these guys who are sick of the lies getting ready to rise to the call!
All of these men who are fed up with the deception are preparing to rise up to the challenge.

Once and for all they'll be blood on the wall if they doubt us
If they underestimate us, they will face dire consequences.

They think they're running this town, but this town will shut down without us
They may believe that they are in control, but this town will come to a halt without us workers.

Ten thousand kids in the square, ten thousand fists in the air!
There will be ten thousand children in the square and all of them will raise their fists in the air together.

Joe, you is gonna play fair, once and for all!
Joe, you will have to play fairly this time, once and for all.

Once and for all!
It's time for a final, decisive action.

There change coming once and for all
Change will happen permanently and certainly.

You're getting too old, too weak to keep holding on
You are getting too old and weak to sustain your power or dominance.

A new world is coming for you, and Joe, we is too!
A new world is emerging and we, including you Joe, are part of it.

Til once and for all you're gone!
Until you are gone permanently and irrevocably.