Trail Before Pilate Songtext

von Jesus Christ Superstar

PILATE
And so the King is once again my guest.
And why is this? Was Herod unimpressed?

CAIAPHAS
We turned to Rome to sentence Nazareth.
We have no law to put a man to death.
We need him crucified. It's all you have to do.
We need him crucified. It's all you have to do.

PILATE
Talk to me Jesus Christ.
You have been brought here
Manacled and beaten by your own people.
Do you have the faintest idea why you deserve it?
Listen King of the Jews,
Where is your kingdom?
Look at me. Am I a Jew?

JESUS
I have no kingdom in the world I'm through.

MOB
Talk to me Jesus Christ

JESUS
There may be a kingdom for me somewhere. If I only knew.

PILATE
Then you are a King?

JESUS
It's you that say I am.
I look for truth and find that I get damned.

PILATE
But what is truth? Is truth unchanging law?
We both have truths. Are mine the same as yours?

MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!

PILATE
What do you mean? You'd crucify your King?

MOB
We have no King but Ceaser!

PILATE
He's done no wrong. No, not the slightest thing.

MOB
We have no King but Ceaser! Crucify him!

PILATE
I see no reason. I find no evil.
This man is harmless, so why does he upset you?
He's just misguided, thinks he's important.
But to keep you vultures happy I shall flog him!

MOB
Crucify him! Crucify him!

[39 lashes]

PILATE
Where are you from Jesus?
What do you want Jesus?
Tell me.
You've got to be careful.
You could be dead soon,
Could well be.
Why do you not speak when I have your life in my hands?
How can you stay quiet? I don't believe you understand.

JESUS
You have nothing in your hands.
Any power you have comes to you from far beyond.
Everything is fixed. and you can't change it.

PILATE
You're a fool Jesus Christ! How can I help you?

MOB
Pilate, Crucify him!
Remember Ceaser. You have a duty.
To keep the peace, so crucify him!
Remember Ceaser! You'll be demoted!
You'll be deported! Crucify him!

PILATE
Don't let me stop your great self-destruction.
Die if you want to you misguided martyr!
I wash my hands of you demolition.
Die if you want to you innocent puppet!