Something Wicked This Way Comes

Happy Halloween! Today seems like a good day to discuss my favorite witch. I read "Wicked" by Gregory Maguire a few years ago and loved it. The book tells the story of "the life and times of the wicked witch of the west," aka Elphaba.

Found on amazon here.

 Henry and I saw the musical "Wicked" (based on the novel) for the first time at the Kennedy Center this summer. A lot of people are familiar with the song "Defying Gravity" from the musical, which I expected to be the highlight of the show for me. Instead, my very favorite part came near the end: a song called "For Good." I still cry almost every time I hear it! Here are the lyrics:

(Elphaba) I'm limited
Just look at me - I'm limited
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda
So now it's up to you
For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda) I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda) Because I knew you

(Both) I have been changed for good

(Elphaba) And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I've done you blame me for

(Glinda) But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share

(Both) And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda) Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba) Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both) Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda) And because I knew you...

(Elphaba) Because I knew you...

(Both) Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good. 

If you want to hear the song, listen here (I couldn't find any good videos from a production):

 

The message of the song is such a good one, and I feel so lucky to have all of my friends and family in my life - they've certainly changed me for good. So this Halloween, be a good little witch and share this with your loved ones.