Lyrics to "Incredible Phat", the song BETM is doing for...

[deebeeeff]

For this year's "Carols for the Cure", Billy Elliot is performing a song by Jimmy Webb called "Incredible Phat (The Coldest Night of the Year)". Originally part of "The Animal's Christmas", which is performed by Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant and a boys' choir on an album you can still download from iTunes, although it is in fact 20 years old.
It is a beautiful song, much better when you understand the lyrics. My copy of "Carols for the Cure" should arrive on Nov 2nd, so I will let you know.
Unlike last year, when none of the three "original" Billys are part of "Cold Christmas" (Tommy B. did the "Billy" part), we know that at least Trent is on this one, along with Greg Jbara. Obviously there are some other cast members as well, or I at least assume so.
To purchase this year's, go here: http://broadwaycares.stores.yahoo.net/b ... forc6.html
To purchase last year's, go here: http://broadwaycares.stores.yahoo.net/b ... forc5.html

On the coldest night of the year
At a pub called the Elephant's Ear,
Incredible Phat, the innkeeper's cat,
Was having a saucer of beer
With fourteen merry gentlemen,
On the coldest night of the year.

As the hour of eleven drew near,
Some poor stranger in rags did appear
At the door of the inn,
Face weary and thin,
To ask, "Is there any room here?"
But the owner just laughed
And said, "My friend,
It's the coldest night of the year.

"We've a shaikh with three wives,
And a moneylender,
A taxman, a soldier,
And a harness mender.
Three balmy old coots
In silver boots,
Two are stargazers
And the other's a seer."

Out into the night crystal clear
The stranger went, hiding a tear.
And Incredible Phat, the innkeeper's cat,
Followed and saw standing near
A donkey bearing a pale sweet girl
Through the coldest night of the year.

While the barmaid
The priest and the diplomat
Bought one last round
For the acrobat,
And a spy with no chin,
Who had also come in
From the cold with
Herod's surly charioteer.

But Phat said, "Friends, be of good cheer.
For I know of a shelter that's near."
And he led them out back,
To a tumble-down shack
Where the innkeeper's wife kept a steer.
And he said, "It's the warmest place in town,
On the coldest night of the year."
Yes, he said, "It's the warmest place in town,
On the coldest night of the year."

[ERinVA]

Thanks for copying the lyrics, Dave. I have been wondering about the title, since I have always associated the word "phat" with hiphop slang, and I couldn't quite see how a song with that in the title made sense for Christmas. Now I know, so thanks. And I might add, it's a lovely song.

[Cindy]

My CD is out for delivery right now! So excited!

[deebeeeff]

My CD is out for delivery right now! So excited!

Damn! You are gonna get yours before I get mine.

[Cindy]

Got it!

Soloists:
Liz Pearce
Eric Gunhus
Donna Lynne Champlin
David Larsen
Rick Hilsabeck
Greg Jbara

Singers include mostly everyone, including Trent, Alex Ko, Tommy Batchelor, Trevor Braun and lots of ballet girls and adult ensemble (the Whylands even made it, though Kiril did not). No Keean or David A.

[deebeeeff]

How was it?

[Cindy]

Fabulous!! It's done with an English accent, which is quite charming. The vocals are incredible. Much better than anything in BETM. Such richness and lots of harmonies. The children sing together as one chorus in places, but you can't make out any individual kids. I'm really impressed.

The rest of the songs are great as well. This is my first Broadway Cares Holiday album so I can't compare, but I do wish there were more "familiar" songs, as I've only heard about four on the album. Oh and nice touch throwing one Chanukah song in here (I'm Jewish, so I appreciate these things!).