Turn Back O Man- Godspell Question

Posted: 4/9/07 at 4:34pm

What is the point of this song?
I hate to admit, I don't know the show so don't know the song, but have to sing it in class next week, and all of the synopsis (synopses pl?) i have found online do not detail this song in the least. Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

[raphael06]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 4:40pm

It is really hard to describe because each production of GODSPELL is open for so much interpretation that each version is unique. The singer of that song is the "Mary Magdalene" type character. When I was in it, the song opened Act 2. She started in the back of the audience and mingled around with a feather boa (sp?). It is just a fun and sexy song.

[Katie2]

Posted: 4/9/07 at 9:33pm

I was in Godspell. The girl who sings "Turn Back, O Man" is supposed to represent temptation. Each character represents something, whether it's innocence, temptation, etc. Each character also has a song that represents who they are. So this song is supposed to be her trying to tempt Jesus and the other characters.

Posted: 4/10/07 at 12:13am

thank you so much! :)

[Charlie No-One]

Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:58pm

I didn't want to make a new thread about this, and this is semi related since it is about a song from Godspell, but what are the ranges for Jesus? What is the highest note that is a constant in his songs, not the highest note he sings, but the highest constant note?

[Charlie No-One]

Posted: 11/13/07 at 6:29pm

Anyone?

[DidYouReallyHearMe]

Posted: 11/14/07 at 9:20pm

Jesus is Tenor and it's a High G#

[nydirector2]

Posted: 11/18/07 at 11:28pm

Um...I think the previous answers were a bit misguided...the song is actually taken from the Episcopalian Hymnal. It was written in response to World War I and used in this piece as a statement against the Vietnam War(as the entire show was pretty much). It's not Mary Magdaline(sp?) at all....the whole sexiness bit is added as like a fun number. Since that character was the "sexy" character, her song will be sexy..
..you have to remember that the creators of the show..the cast...did songs that fit their own personalities. So sexy Sonia, did a sexy number. But the real meaning of the song is saying that God's will is for peace(hence all his people one) and until peace exists, then his work is not finished. Man's foolish ways, are wars, etc. So it's asking Man(as in man kind...not a particular man) to turn back...and not fight in wars. Make sense? PM me if you need any other help. I was the dramaturg for the show in college.