One Short Day
Wicked [original broadway cast] Lyrics
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Come with me, to the Emerald City...
Tourists
One short day in the Emerald City
Glinda
Oh! I've always wanted to see the Emerald City!
Tourists
One short day in the Emerald City
One short day in the Emerald City
One short day full of so much to do
Ev'ry way that you look in the city
There's something exquisite
You'll want to visit
Before the day's through
Elphaba
There are buildings as tall as Quoxwood trees
Glinda
Dress salons
Elphaba
And libraries
Glinda
Palaces!
Elphaba
Museums!
Both
A hundred strong
There are wonders like I've never seen
Glinda
It's all grand
Elphaba
And it's all green!
Both
I think we've found the place where we belong!
I wanna be in this hoi polloi
Elphaba
So I'll be back for good someday!
Glinda
To make my life and make my way
Both
But for today, we'll wander and enjoy
Tourists
One short day in the Emerald City
One short day to have a lifetime of fun
One short day
Glinda & Elphaba
And were warning the city
Now that we're in here
You'll know we've been here
All
Before we are done!
Glinda
Elphie, come on! We'll be late for Wizomania!
Wizomania Chorus
Who's the mage whose major itinerary is making all Oz merrier?
Who's the sage who sagely sailed in to save our posteriors?
Whose enthuse for hot air ballooning has all of Oz honeymooning?
Woooo, wizn't he wonderful?
Our wonderful Wizard!
Audience with Chorus
One short day in the Emerald City
(Who's the mage whose major itinerary is making all Oz merrier?)
One short day to have a lifetime of fun
(Who's the sage who sagely sailed in to save our posteriors?)
What a way to be seeing the city...
Elphaba & Glinda
Where so many roam to
We'll call it home, too
And then, just like now, we can say
Were just two friends
Elphaba
Two good friends
Glinda
Two best friends
All
Sharing one wonderful
One short...
Guard
The wizard will see you now!
All
...day!
The song "One Short Day" is a duet sung by Elphaba and Glinda, two friends who have just arrived in the Emerald City. The lyrics describe their excitement at exploring the city, which they find to be a marvel of architecture, fashion, and culture. As the song progresses, they encounter various landmarks and sights, both mundane and fantastical, and express their desire to make the city their home.
One interesting aspect of the song is its use of contrasting verses and choruses. While the verses are sung by Elphaba and Glinda and describe their experiences in the city, the choruses are sung by a group of tourists and a chorus of Wizomania fans, respectively. These choruses provide a commentary on the action, adding a layer of irony and humor to the song.
Another notable feature of "One Short Day" is its role in the plot of Wicked. The song marks a turning point in Elphaba and Glinda's relationship, as they bond over their shared love of the city and begin to see each other as true friends. The song also sets up the events of the second act, when Elphaba becomes embroiled in a rebellion against the Wizard and his oppressive regime.
Overall, "One Short Day" is a lively and memorable song that captures the sense of wonder and possibility that can come with travel and adventure.
Line by Line Meaning
Come with me, to the Emerald City...
Join me on this journey to the Emerald City.
One short day in the Emerald City
We only have a limited time to explore all that the Emerald City has to offer.
Oh! I've always wanted to see the Emerald City!
I am excited to finally witness the beauty of the Emerald City.
One short day full of so much to do
We have so many activities planned for this one day.
Ev'ry way that you look in the city
There is something impressive to see in every direction.
There's something exquisite
Everything in the city is exceptional and high quality.
You'll want to visit
These attractions and buildings are a must-see for any tourist.
Before the day's through
We have a limited amount of time, so we must finish everything before the day ends.
There are buildings as tall as Quoxwood trees
The buildings in the city are exceptionally tall.
Dress salons
There are shops where you can buy fancy clothing and accessories.
And libraries
There are buildings where you can borrow books and read in peace.
Palaces! Museums! A hundred strong
There are countless palaces and museums throughout the city.
There are wonders like I've never seen
Every attraction in the city is new and unlike anything I've seen before.
It's all grand
The city is magnificent and impressive.
And it's all green!
The city is known for its distinct emerald color.
I think we've found the place where we belong!
We feel a strong connection to this city and feel at home here.
I wanna be in this hoi polloi
I want to be part of the vibrant community in the Emerald City.
So I'll be back for good someday!
I plan to return to the city someday and make it my permanent home.
To make my life and make my way
I hope to establish myself in the city and create a fulfilling life.
But for today, we'll wander and enjoy
For now, we will take our time and fully experience the city.
Now that we're in here, You'll know we've been here
Our presence in the city will leave a lasting impact.
Before we are done!
We plan to do everything we can before our time in the city ends.
Who's the mage whose major itinerary is making all Oz merrier?
This is a question asked by the Wizomania Chorus to praise the Wizard's efforts to improve the lives of those in Oz.
Whose enthuse for hot air ballooning has all of Oz honeymooning?
This is a question asked by the Wizomania Chorus to highlight the Wizard's passion for hot air ballooning.
Woooo, wizn't he wonderful? Our wonderful Wizard!
The Wizomania Chorus expresses their admiration for the Wizard and his accomplishments.
What a way to be seeing the city... Where so many roam to
The audience contemplates how great it is to have the opportunity to witness the beauty of the city and explore its many attractions.
We'll call it home, too
We feel so connected to the city that we consider it our home as well.
And then, just like now, we can say
In the future, we will look back on this moment and remember how much we enjoyed the city.
Were just two friends
We are close friends who are sharing this experience together.
Sharing one wonderful
We are experiencing something wonderful and memorable.
The wizard will see you now!
The audience is prompted that they will have the chance to meet the Wizard soon.
...day!
The song and our time spent in the emerald city is coming to an end.
Contributed by Callie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.