Finale
Vivian Reed Mary Testa Lyrics
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Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
Christmas bells are ringing
How time flies
When compassion dies
No stockings
No candy canes
No safety net
No loose change
No change no
ONE HOMELESS MAN
"Santy Claus is coming"
ALL
Santy Claus ain't coming
No room at the Holiday Inn - Again
Well, maybe next year -- or -- when
MARK
December 24th, Ten P.M. Eastern Standard Time
I can't believe a year went by so fast
Time to see - What we have - Time to see
Turn the projector on
First shot Roger
With the Fender guitar he just got out of hock
When he sold the car
That took him away and back
ROGER
I found my song
MARK
He found his song
If he could just find Mimi
ROGER
I tried - You know I tried
MARK
Fade in on Mark
Who's still in the dark
ROGER
But he's got great footage
MARK
Which he's cut together
ROGER
To screen tonight
MARK
In honor of Benny's wife
ROGER
Muffy
MARK
Alison
Pulling Benny out of the East Village location
ROGER
Then again.
Maybe we won't screen it tonight
MARK
I wonder how he found out about Mimi?
ROGER
Maybe a little bird told her.
COLLINS
Or an angel
I had a little hunch that you could use a little flow
ROGER
Tutoring again?
COLLINS
Negative
MARK
Back at N.Y.U.?
COLLINS
No, no, no
I rewired the ATM at the Food Emporium
To provide an honorarium to anyone with the code
ROGER & MARK
The code -
Well. . .?
COLLINS
A-N-G-E-L
Yet Robin Hooding isn't the solution
The powers that be must be undermined
Where they dwell in a small, exclusive gourmet institution
Where we overcharge the wealthy clientele
ALL THREE
Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
With a private corner banquette in the back
COLLINS
We'll make it yet, we'll somehow get to Santa Fe
ROGER
But you'd miss New York before you could unpack
ALL
Ohh--
MAUREEN
Mark!
Roger!
Anyone - Help!
MARK
Maureen?
MAUREEN
It's Mimi - I can't get her up the stairs
ROGER
No!
MAUREEN
She was huddled in the park in the dark
And she was freezing
And begged to come here
ROGER
Over here
Oh, God -
MIMI
"Got a light - I know you - You're shivering. . ."
JOANNE
She's been living on the street
ROGER
We need some heat
MIMI
I'm shivering
MARK
We can buy some wood and something to eat
COLLINS
I'm afraid she needs more than heat
MIMI
I heard that
MAUREED
Collins will call for a doctor honey
MIMI
Don't waste your money on Mimi, me, me
COLLINS
Hello - 911?
I'm on hold
MIMI
Cold. . .Cold. . .Would you light my candle
ROGER
Yes - we'll oh God - Find a candle
MIMI
I should tell you
I should tell you
ROGER
I should tell you
I should tell you
MIMI
I should tell you
Benny wasn't any--
ROGER
Shhh - I know
I should tell you why I left
It wasn't cause I didn't --
MIMI
I know
I should tell you
ROGER
I should tell you
MIMI
I should tell you
I love you--
ROGER
Who do you think you are?
Leaving me alone with my guitar
Hold on there's something you should hear
It isn't much but it took all year
The lyrics of "Finale" from the musical "Rent" depicts the lives of seven homeless people who are out in the cold on Christmas Eve while the bells are ringing, celebrating a joyous season. They are seeking compassion in society that has little room for them, no hope, and no respite from their daily struggles. The group of friends, including Roger and Mark, wonders where they are in their lives and what they've accomplished in a year. As Mark turns on his projector, we see footage of Roger with his Fender guitar that he got after selling his car, and he shares that he has found his song, but not Mimi. The group starts investigating how Benny knows about Mimi and struggling to keep Mimi who's been living on the street with them warm. Mimi is freezing and requests to light her candle while confessing to Roger that she loves him.
The song touches on the lives of the homeless and marginalized members of society, who are desperate for companionship, respect, and love. The lyrics convey the hopelessness and the sense of abandonment by society that these people feel. The song emphasizes the need for compassion and empathy towards the homeless, rather than turning a blind eye to their struggles. It inspires the listeners to take action and make a difference in the lives of those who may feel left out during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
Christmas bells are ringing
The holiday season is here
How time flies
Another year has passed
When compassion dies
People become homeless
No stockings
No gifts
No candy canes
No sweet treats
No gingerbread
No holiday foods
No safety net
No support system
No loose change
No money
No change no
There is no hope
"Santy Claus is coming"
Homeless man's hope for the holidays
Santy Claus ain't coming
There will be no holiday joy
No room at the Holiday Inn - Again
There is no place to go
Well, maybe next year -- or -- when
Hope for the future
December 24th, Ten P.M. Eastern Standard Time
Time and place of the story
I can't believe a year went by so fast
Time flies quickly
Time to see - What we have - Time to see
A time for reflection
Turn the projector on
Beginning of a film screening
He found his song
Roger found his passion
If he could just find Mimi
Roger's search for love
But he's got great footage
Mark's film skills
Which he's cut together
Mark's film editing skills
To screen tonight
The film premiere is tonight
In honor of Benny's wife
The screening is dedicated to Benny's wife
Then again.
A change of plans
Maybe we won't screen it tonight
The screening might not happen
I wonder how he found out about Mimi?
Curiosity about Mimi
Maybe a little bird told her.
A joke about how Mimi found out
Or an angel
A reference to a guardian angel
I had a little hunch that you could use a little flow
Collins wants to help again
Tutoring again?
A reference to Collins' past work
Negative
Collins' new plan
Back at N.Y.U.?
A reference to Collins' past education
No, no, no
A different idea from Collins
We'll make it yet, we'll somehow get to Santa Fe
Their shared dream
But you'd miss New York before you could unpack
The love for their current home
Maureen?
A call for help
Oh, God -
The seriousness of the situation
She was huddled in the park in the dark
Mimi's struggle
And she was freezing
The harsh winter weather
We need some heat
A need for warmth and comfort
She's been living on the street
Mimi's tough situation
Don't waste your money on Mimi, me, me
Mimi's pride and determination
Cold. . .Cold. . .Would you light my candle
Mimi needs help
I heard that
Mimi understood
I'm afraid she needs more than heat
A warning about Mimi's condition
Who do you think you are?
Roger's anger and hurt
Leaving me alone with my guitar
Roger's passion
It isn't much but it took all year
A heartfelt present
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LESLIE BRICUSSE, HENRY MANCINI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind