17歲時進入紐約大學修習音樂，
19歲時抱著想要學習音樂喜劇與歐洲輕歌劇創作的目標到了倫敦，
1910年代初，他在倫敦西區與紐約百老匯聲名大噪，
更在1915到1920之間為百老匯創作了16件作品的配樂，
而當作最著名的，就是上一篇提及的「公主劇院四部曲」，
進入1920年代，他仍是個多產的作曲家，
一年至少就會有一齣音樂劇作品，像是：
1920的《The Night Boat》和《Sally》、
1922的《The Cabaret Girl》和《The Bunch and Judy》以及
1923的《The Beauty Prize》和《Stepping Stones》，
然而，1924年所創作的《Sitting Pretty》卻是一齣相對遜色的作品，
Kern甚至禁止了該齣作品的廣播和錄製。
1925年，Kern認識了Oscar Hammerstein II，
他1895年出生於紐約市，祖父兩代都是經營劇場的人，
父親經營著維多利亞劇院(Victoria Theatre)，卻不幸於四十歲病逝於腎臟炎，
Hammerstein II因而決定離開法律學院，投入劇場，
1921年在百老匯上演了他的第一部作品《Always You》，
Kern與他的相遇造就了美國百老匯音樂史上的重大里程碑，
對後面的音樂劇創作產生了深遠的影響。
1925年，他們共同創作的第一部音樂劇作品《Sunny》獲得了廣大迴響，
1926年，當他們開始討論下一齣創作的題材時，
Kern在拜讀了當年出版Edna Ferber所寫的小說《Show Boat》後深受感動*，
因而力勸Hammerstein II採用並進行改編，
並說服當時百老匯的著名製作人Ziegfeld支持出產這部作品，
但就連小說家Ferber都覺得這是一個荒謬之舉，
最後，在Kern的堅持下，Ferber於當年的11月正式與他們簽約。
為什麼大家當時都這麼不看好這個計畫呢？
那是因為，這部小說的題材非常不同於以往的音樂劇，
它所觸及到的內容是婚姻的不幸和種族的歧視，一反當時音樂劇的喜劇風潮，
在當時，一部音樂劇只要能夠贏得觀眾夠多的笑聲和唏噓聲，就是一部好音樂劇！
然而Kern和Hammerstein II的合作，
卻打破了音樂喜劇的庸俗感及歌劇的凝重感，
有著的是完整有邏輯的故事劇情，
一首一首的歌曲將故事串聯整合了起來，
以主題的新穎和製作的品質贏得了觀眾的喜愛，
並奠定了百老匯音樂劇日後的發展方向。
同樣的，《Show Boat》在網路上幾乎找不到最早的影音資訊，
但由於此劇如此轟動又具有劃時代的重要性，
1936年便有了電影版，且至今已經有相當多的複排版本，
以下就讓我用1936年的電影版以及1988年複排的原聲帶來介紹此音樂劇的劇情，
我且試著用現在比較容易懂的英文拼字來重譯歌詞。
音樂劇《Show Boat》的角色人物：
*Andy Hawks：演藝船的船長
*Parthy Ann Hawks：Andy船長的妻子
*Magnolia Hawks (Nola)：船長夫婦的女兒
*Gaylord Revenal：職業賭徒，很會唱歌，後來與Nola結婚
*Kim Revenal：Gaylord和Nola的女兒
*Steve Baker：演藝船上的著名男主演
*Julie LaVerne：演藝船上的著名女主演，Steve的妻子，有黑人血統
*Frank Schultz：演藝船上的演員
*Ellie May Chipley：演藝船上的演員，後來成為Frank的妻子
*Pete：演藝船上的技師
*Joe：上了演藝船的碼頭工人，黑人
*Queenie：演藝船的廚師，Joe的妻子，黑人
1.〈Overture〉
序曲，
電影版的序曲應該是重新編過的，比較短，
1998的複排版應該也跟最初的版本不一樣，比較長和精緻，
但是苦於找不到最初的版本，無法在此多做比較和說明。
1936電影版：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo8oJPr-NBg
(0:00-0:52)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:00:00-0:05:36)
2.〈Cotton Blossom〉by 碼頭工人 & 鎮民
劇的開頭，碼頭工人忙著工作，訴說著他們的辛苦，
而鎮上的人們看到了演藝船進港，興奮地聚集，
Cotton Blossom是這艘船的名字。
1936電影版：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo8oJPr-NBg
(0:52-3:05)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:05:36-0:10:30)
Niggers all work on the Mississippi,
Niggers all work while the white folks play,
Loading up boats with the bales of cotton,
Getting no rest till the Judgment Day.
Get yourself a brand new girl,
A loving baby who's the apple of your eye.
Coal black Rose or high brown Sal,
They all can cook the sparrer grass and chicken pie!
Niggers all work on the Mississippi,
Niggers all work while the white folks play,
Loading up boats with the bales of cotton,
Getting no rest till the Judgment Day.
Cotton Blossom, Cotton Blossom,
Love to see you growing free.
When they pack you on the levee,
You're a heavy load to me!
Cotton Blossom, Cotton Blossom,
Love to see you growing wild,
On the levee, you're too heavy,
For this poor black child!
(以下歌詞電影版省略了)
What a pretty bevy! Ah, there! Ah, there!
The fairest of the fair!
To Southern beauty Every beau must bow!
How you love to flatter, You rogues! You rogues!
Oh, goodness gracious! They're so flirtatious!
You naughty fellows seem to think you please us.
When you tease us so,
You're a reckless Lot we know!
Little women, don't be timorous!
You will find, acting thus Only makes a man more bold!
These are not the days of old!
See! The Show Boat!
That's old Captain Andy's "Cotton Blossom"
Will you go? Let me take you to the show!
'Twill be delightful But to rightfully accept,
I have to make mama get permission from papa!
Captain Andy has gathered a troupe,
In the greatest of dramas and jolly comedies.
Stephen Baker, the handsomest leading man,
And beautiful Julie LaVerne as well!
Cotton Blossom, Cotton Blossom,
Captain Andy's Floating Show!
Thrills and laughter,
Concert after,
Everybody's sure to go!
Cotton Blossom, Cotton Blossom,
Captain Andy's Floating Show!
Thrills and laughter,
Concert after,
Get your girl and go!
So get your girl and go!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo8oJPr-NBg
(3:05-8:26)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:10:30-0:18:58)
Captain Andy, Captain Andy,
Here's your lemon cake and homemade candy.
Quince preserve and apple brandy;
Mama sends her best regards to you.
Captain Andy, Captain Andy,
We've been hearing all about your dandy Show.
Is this year's good as last year?
Won't you tell us what is new?
Captain Andy, Captain Andy
You know how to make a show sound dandy.
(Andy)
Frank and Ellie,
Come on, let's show them.
Just a sample of your soft-shoe dance!
(Parthy)
Captain Andy! Captain Andy!
(Andy)
Just a sample.
(Parthy)
What a man! My land,
He gives away his show for nothing!
(Andy to Frank and Ellie)
Just a sample of the dance!
4.〈Where's the Mate for Me?〉by Gaylord
Gaylord出場，唱著這首歌，
並看見了船上的Nola，一見鍾情，並開始交談。
1936電影版：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyVvaUQUtpk
(0:00-1:17)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:18:58-0:23:11)
Who cares if my boat goes upstream,
Or if the gale bids me go with the river's flow?
I drift along with my fancy.
Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free;
And other times I wonder where's that mate for me?
The driftwood floating over the sea,
Someday finds a sheltering lee,
So, somewhere there surely must be
A harbour meant for me
I drift along with my fancy -
Sometimes I thank my lucky stars my heart is free,
And other times I wonder where's the mate...
5.〈Make Believe〉by Gaylord & Magnolia
Nola想起家人說不要隨意跟陌生人交談，因此表示要走了，
但Gaylord用浪漫的言詞卸下了她的心房。
1936電影版：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyVvaUQUtpk
(1:17-5:00)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:23:11-0:29:03)
(Gaylord)
Only make believe I love you,
Only make believe that you love me.
Others find peace of mind in pretending -
Couldn't you?
Couldn't I?
Couldn't we?
Make believe our lips are blending
In a phantom kiss, or two, or three.
Might as well make believe I love you,
For to tell the truth, I do.
Your pardon I pray,
'Twas too much to say
The words that betray my heart.
(Magnolia)
We only pretend,
You do not offend
In playing a lover's part.
The game of just supposing
Is the sweetest game I know.
Our dreams are more romantic
Than the world we see
(Gaylord)
And if the things we dream about
Don't happen to be so,
That's just an unimportant technicality.
(Magnolia)
Though the cold and brutal fact is
You and I have never met,
We need not mind convention's P's and Q's.
If we put our thoughts in practice
We can banish all regret
Imagining most anything we choose.
We could make believe I love you,
We could make believe that you love me.
(Magnolia & Gaylord)
Others find peace of mind in pretending,
Couldn't you,
Couldn't I?
Couldn't we?
(Gaylord)
Make believe our lips are blending
In a phantom kiss - or two - or three.
(Magnolia & Gaylord)
Might as well make believe I love you,
(Gaylord)
For to tell the truth, I do...
6.〈Ol' Man River〉by Joe & 碼頭工人
Gaylord因故先行離去，Joe這時剛好揹著麵粉經過，
Nola興喜地問他有沒有看到剛剛和他談話的男士，
並說要趕緊去問Julie的意見，
Joe則說應該問問什麼都知道的老密西西比河。
1936電影版：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43HYIB-9DlE
(0:00-5:58)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:29:03-0:34:48)
There’s an old man called the Mississippi.
That’s the old man that I’d like to be.
What does he care if the world gets trouble?
What does he care if the land ain’t free?
Old man river,
That old man river,
He must know something,
But don't say nothing.
He just keeps rolling,
He keeps on rolling along.
He don't plant taters,
He don't plant cotton,
And them that plants them
is soon forgotten,
But old man river,
He just keeps rolling along.
You and me, we sweat and strain,
Body all aching and wracked with pain,
Tote that barge!
Lift that bale!
You get a little drunk
And you lands in jail.
I gets weary
And sick of trying.
I'm tired of living,
And scared of dying.
But old man river,
He just keeps rolling along.
Darkies all work on the Mississippi,
Darkies all work while the white folks play,
Pulling those boats from the dawn to sunset,
Getting no rest till the judgment day.
Don't look up,
and don't look down.
You don't dast make
the white boss frown.
Bend your knees,
and bow your head,
and pull that rope,
Until you're dead.
Let me go 'way from the Mississippi.
Let me go 'way from the white man boss.
Show me that stream called the river Jordan.
That's the old stream that I long to cross.
Old man river,
That old man river,
He must know something,
But don't say nothing.
He just keeps rolling,
He keeps on rolling along.
(Long old river forever keeps rolling on...)
He don't plant taters,
He don't plant cotton,
And them that plants them
is soon forgotten,
But old man river,
He just keeps rolling along.
(Long old river keeps hearing that song).
You and me, we sweat and strain,
Body all aching and wracked with pain,
Tote that barge!
Lift that bale!
You get a little drunk
And you lands in jail.
I gets weary,
And sick of trying.
I'm tired of living,
And scared of dying.
But old man river,
He just keeps rolling along.
7.〈Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man〉by Julie, Queenie, Joe, Magnolia, & servants
這時，Nola跑來告訴Julie她戀愛了，並詢問她的意見，
Queenie和Joe聽見歌聲，驚訝Julie竟然會唱平常只有黑人會唱的傳統民謠，
Julie其實有黑人的血統，但外表看不出來，
她故作鎮定，並將整首曲子唱完，
表達女人若陷入愛情就難以自拔了。
1936電影版：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5WEQ8j1Me0
(0:00-5:09)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:34:38-0:42:58)
(Julie)
Fish got to swim, birds got to fly,
I got to love one man till I die.
Can't help loving that man of mine.
Tell me he's lazy, tell me he's slow,
Tell me I'm crazy (maybe I know).
Can't help loving that man of mine.
Oh, listen, sister,
I love my mister man,
And I can't tell you why.
There ain't no reason
Why I should love that man.
It must be something that the angels done plan.
Fish got to swim, birds got to fly,
I got to love one man till I die.
Can't help loving that man of mine.
Tell me he's lazy, tell me he's slow,
Tell me I'm crazy (maybe I know).
Can't help loving that man of mine.
When he goes away,
That's a rainy day.
But when he comes back that day is fine,
The sun will shine!
He can come home as late as can be.
Home without him ain't no home to me.
Can't help loving that man of mine!
(Queenie)
My man is shiftless
And good for nothing too.
He's my man just the same.
He's never round here
When there is work to do.
(Queenie & Joe)
He's never round here when there's working to do.
(Queenie)
The chimney's smoking,
The roof is leaking in,
But he don't seem to care.
He can be happy with just a sip of gin.
(Joe)
Why you all talk about gin?
(Queenie)
Ah even loves him when his kisses got gin!
(Julie, Queenie & servants)
Fish got to swim and birds got to fly,
(Joe：While the birds fly,)
I got to love one man till I die.
(Joe：till the world dies,)
Can't help loving that man of mine.
(Joe：I'll love that girl of mine.)
(Joe：Or else she ain't my girl!)
Tell me he's lazy, tell me he's slow,
(Joe：She's lazy and slow,)
Tell me I'm crazy (maybe I know).
(Joe：crazy, I know.)
Can't help loving that man of mine.
(Joe：Can't help loving that girl.)
(Joe：She's just as crazy 'bout me!)
When he goes away, that's a rainy day,
(Joe：When I goes away, all the rainy day,)
But when he comes back, that day is fine,
(Joe：And when I comes back, that day is fine,)
the sun will shine! (Yes, sister.)
He can come home as late as can be,
(Joe：She can come home as late as can be,)
Home without him ain't no home to me.
(Joe：Home without her ain't no home to me.)
Can't help loving that man of mine!
(Joe：Can't help loving that girl of mine!)
(Julie, Queenie & women)
He can come home as late as can be,
Home without him ain't no home to me.
Can't help loving that man of mine!
8.〈Life Upon the Wicked Stage〉by Ellie & 鎮上的婦女
畫面移到了Ellie和鎮上婦女的互動，
Ellie告訴她們：演員的生活並不如她們所想的那樣美好。
(1936電影版省略了這一個片段)
1988百老匯複排版(原聲帶)：
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLz8f9twQRQ
(0:42:58-0:46:36)
(Ellie)
Why do stage struck maidens clamor
To be acting in the drammer?
(Girls)
We've heard say,
You are gay, night and day.
(Ellie)
Oh, go 'way!
(Girls)
We drink water from a dipper,
You drink champagne from a slipper.
(Ellie)
Though it seems cruel to bust all your dreams, still I must.
Here's the truth I tell you:
Life upon the wicked stage
Ain't ever what a girl supposes.
Stage door Johnnies aren't
raging over you with gems and roses.
When you let a feller hold your hand
which means an extra beer or sandwich.
Everybody whispers: "Ain't her life a whirl?"
Though you're warned against a roué
ruining your reputation,
I have played around
the one night trade around
a great big nation.
Wild old men who give you jewels and sables
Only live in Aesop's Fables.
Life upon the wicked stage
Ain't nothing for a girl.
(Girls)
Though we've listened to you moan and grieve,
You must pardon us if we do not believe you.
There is no doubt, you're crazy about your awful stage!
(Ellie)
I admit it's fun to smear my face with paint,
Causing everyone to think I'm what I ain't.
And I like to play a demi-mondy role,
With soul!
Ask the hero does he
like the way I lure,
When I play a hussy
or a paramour,
Yet when once the curtain's down,
My life is pure.
And how I dread it!
(Girls)
Life upon the wicked stage
Ain't ever what a girl supposes.
Stage door Johnnies aren't
raging over you with gems and roses.
(Ellie)
If some gentleman would talk with reason,
I would cancel all next season.
Life upon the wicked stage
Ain't nothing for a girl!
(Girls)
You'd be back the season after!
To Be Continued......
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*慕羽在《百老匯音樂劇─美國夢和一個恆久的象徵》書中第80頁寫說是改編自Ferber的《密西西比的生活》(Life on the Mississippi)，應該是寫錯了，因為這本書出版於1883年，且作者是Mark Twain，內容是在美國南北戰爭前，Twain在密西西比河上一艘蒸汽船擔任水手的回憶錄，當中沒有提到任何跟show有關的回憶，與音樂劇《Showboat》的內容相去甚遠。
§若想看全劇的劇本：
http://eslprof.com/handouts/Reading/Show%20Boat.txt
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