Episodes: Once More, With Feeling

Once More, With Feeling

Book by Joss Whedon
Music and Lyrics by Joss Whedon
Directed by Josh Whedon

Perri's Review | SunSpeak | Lyrics

Going Through the Motions | I've Got a Theory/If We're Together Medley
Under Your Spell | I'll Never Tell | Rest in Peace | What You Feel | Standing
Under Your Spell/Standing (Reprise) | Walk Through the Fire
Something to Sing About | Heaven | What You Feel (Reprise) | Where Do We Go From Here | Coda

Going Through the Motions

Buffy:
Every single night the same arrangement
I go out and fight the fight
Still I always feel the strange estrangement
Nothing here is real, nothing here is right
I've been making shows of trading blows
Just hoping no one knows
That I've been

Going through the motions
Walking through the part
Nothing seems to penetrate my heart

I was always brave and kind of righteous
Now I find I'm wavering
Crawl out of your grave, you find this fight
Just doesn't mean a thing

Vamp:
She ain't got that swing

Buffy:
Thanks for noticing

Vamps/Random Demon:
She does pretty well with fiends from hell
But lately we can tell
That she's just

Vamps:
Going through the motions
Faking it somehow

Demon:
She's not even half the girl she.... Ow.

Buffy:
Will I stay this way forever?
Sleepwalk through my life's endeavor

Hunky Rescuee:
How can I repay--

Buffy:
Whatever
I don't want to be

Going through the motions
Losing all my drive
I can't even see
If this is really me
And I just want to be
Alive

I've Got a Theory/If We're Together Medley

Giles:
I've got a theory
That it's a demon
A dancing demon, no, something isn't right there

Willow:
I've got a theory
Some kid is dreaming
And we're all stuck inside his wacky Broadway nightmare

Xander:
I've got a theory
We should work this out

Scoobies:
It's getting eerie
What's this cheery singing all about?

Xander:
It could be witches
Some evil witches
Which is ridiculous 'cause witches they were persecuted
Wicca good and love the Earth and women power
And I'll be over here

Anya:
I've got a theory
It could be bunnies

< crickets chirp, everyone stares >

Tara:
I've got a theory--

Anya:
< rock riff >
Bunnies aren't just cute like everybody supposes
They got them hoppy legs and twitchy little noses
And what's with all the carrots?
What do they need such good eyesight for anyway?
Bunnies! Bunnies!
It must be bunnies!

< beat >
Or maybe midgets?

Willow:
I've got a theory
We should work this fast

Willow/Giles:
Because it clearly could get serious before it's passed

Buffy:
I've got a theory
It doesn't matter

What can't we face if we're together
What's in this place that we can't weather
Apocalypse? We've all been there
The same old trips, why should we care?

All:
What can't we do if we get in it?
We're working through with every minute
We have to try
We'll pay the price
It's do or die

Buffy:
Hey, I've died twice

All:
What can't we face if we're together
What's in this place that we can't weather
There's nothing we can't face

Anya:
Except for bunnies....

Under Your Spell

Tara:
I lived my life in shadow
Never the sun on my face
It didn't seem so sad though
I figured that was my place
Now I'm bathed in light
Something just isn't right

I'm under your spell
How else could it be
Anyone would notice me?
It's magic, I can tell
How you set me free
Brought me out so easily

I saw a world enchanted
Spirits and charms in the air
I always took for granted
I was the only one there
But your power shone
Brighter than any I've known

I'm under your spell
Nothing I can do
You just took my soul with you
You worked your charm so well
Finally I knew
Everything I dreamed was true
You make me believe

The moon to the tide
I can feel you inside

I'm under your spell
Surging like the sea
Pulled to you so helplessly
I break with every swell
Lost in ecstasy
Spread beneath my Willow tree
You make me complete
You make me complete
You make me complete

I'll Never Tell

Anya:
This is the man that I plan to entangle
Isn't he fine?
My claim to fame was to maim and to mangle
Vengeance was mine
But I'm out of the biz
The name I made I'll trade for his
The only trouble is...
I'll never tell

Xander:
She is the one, she's such wonderful fun
Such passion and grace
Warm in the night When I'm right
In her tight-- Embrace! Tight embrace!
I'll never let her go
The love we've known can only grow
There's just one thing that-- No.
I'll never tell

Xander/Anya:
'Cause there's nothing to tell...

Anya:
He snores

Xander:
She wheezes

Anya:
Say housework and he freezes

Xander:
She eats these skeezy cheeses that I can't describe

Anya:
I talk, he breezes

Xander:
She doesn't know what please is

Anya:
His penis got diseases from a Chumash tribe

Xander/Anya:
The vibe gets kind of scary

Xander:
Like she thinks I'm ordinary

Anya:
Like it's all just temporary

Xander:
Like her toes are kind of hairy

Xander/Anya:
But it's all very well
Cause God knows I'll never tell

Anya:
When things get rough, he
Just hides behind his Buffy
Now look, he's getting huffy
Cause he knows that I know

Xander:
She clings, she's needy
She's also really greedy
She never--

Anya:
His eyes are beady!

Xander:
This is my verse, hello!
She--

[cue dance routine]

Xander/Anya:
You know

Xander:
You're quite the charmer

Anya:
My knight in armor

Xander:
You're the cutest of the Scoobies
With your lips as red as rubies
And your firm yet supple... tight embrace!

Anya:
He's swell

Xander:
She's sweller

Anya:
He'll always be my feller

Xander:
That's why I'll never tell her
That I'm petrified

Anya:
I've read this tale
There's wedding then betrayal
I know there'll come the day I'll want to run and hide

Xander/Anya:
I lied, I said it's easy
I've tried, but there's these fears I can't quell

Xander:
Is she looking for a pot of gold?

Anya:
Will I look good when I've gotten old?

Xander:
Will our lives become too stressful
If I'm never that successful

Anya:
When I get so worn and wrinkly
That I look like David Brinkley

Xander:
Am I crazy?

Anya:
Am I dreamin'?

Xander:
Am I marrying a demon?

Xander/Anya:
We could really raise the beam in
Making marriage a hell
So thank god I'll never tell
I swear that I'll never tell

Xander:
My lips are sealed

Anya:
I take the fifth

Xander:
Nothing to see
Move it along

Xander/Anya:
I'll never
Tell

Rest in Peace

Spike:
I died so many years ago
But you can make me feel like it isn't so
And why you come to be with me
I think I finally know

You're scared
Ashamed of what you feel
You can't tell the ones you love
You know they couldn't deal
Whisper in a dead man's ear --
It doesn't make it real

That's great
But I don't want to play
'Cause being with you touches me
More than I can say
But since I'm only dead to you
I'm saying stay away
And let me rest in peace

Let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep
Let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six foot deep
I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release
So let me rest in peace

You know you got a willing slave
And you just love to play the thought
That you might misbehave
But 'til you do I'm telling you
Stop visiting my grave
And let me rest in peace

I know I should go
But I follow you like a man possessed
There's a traitor here beneath my breast
And it hurts me more than you've ever guessed
If my heart could beat it would break my chest
But I can see you're unimpressed
So leave me be

And let me rest in peace
Let me get some sleep
Let me take my love and bury it
In a hole six foot deep
I can lay my body down
But I can't find my sweet release
Let me rest in peace
Why won't you let me rest in peace

What You Feel

Sweet
Why'd you run away
Don't you like my style?
Why don't you come and play
I guarantee a great big smile
I come from the imagination
And I'm here strictly by your invocation
So what do you say
Why don't we dance a while?

I'm the heart of swing
I'm the twist and shout
When you gotta sing
When you gotta let it out
You call me and I come a-runnin'
I turn the music on
I bring the fun in
Now we're partying
That's what it's all about

Cause I know what you feel, girl
I know just what you feel, girl

Dawn (spoken):
So, you're like a good demon
Bringing the fun in?

All these melodies -- they go on too long
Then that energy starts to come on
Way too strong
All those hearts lay open, that must sting
Plus some customers just start combusting
That's the penalty
When life is but a song

You brought me down and doomed this town
So when we blow this scene
Back we will go to my kingdom below
And you will be my queen

Sweet: Dawn:

Cause I know what you feel, little girl
And I make it real girl

No, you see, you and me
Wouldn't be very regal
What I mean, I'm fifteen
So this queen thing's illegal

Sweet:
I can bring whole cities to ruin
And still have time to get a soft show in

Dawn:
Well that's great but I'm late
And I'd hate to delay her

Sweet:
Something's cooking, I'm at the griddle
I bought Nero his very first fiddle

Dawn:
She'll get pissed if I'm missed
See my sister's the Slayer--

Sweet:
Now we're partying
That's what it's all about

Giles:
You're not ready for the world outside
You keep pretending but you just can't hide
I know I said that I'd be standing by your side
But I...

Your path's unbeaten and it's all uphill
And you can meet it but you never will
And I'm the reason that you're standing still
But I...

I wish I could say the right words to lead you through this land
Wish I could play the father and take you by the hand
Wish I could stay
But now I understand
I'm standing in the way

The cries around you, you don't hear at all
'Cause you know I'm here to take that call
So you just lie there when you should be standing tall
But I...

I wish I could lay your arms down and let you rest at last
Wish I could slay your demons but now that time is past
Wish I could stay here
Your stalwart standing fast
But I'm standing in the way
I'm just standing in the way

Under Your Spell/Standing(Reprise)

Tara:
I'm under your spell...
God how can this be?
Playing with my memory

You know I've been through Hell
Willow, don't you see
There'll be nothing left of me
You made me believe

Giles:
Believe me I don't want to go

Giles/Tara:
And it'll grieve me cause I love you so
But we both know

Giles: Tara:

Wish I could say the right words
To lead you through this land
Wish I could play the father
And take you by the hand

Wish I could trust
That it was just this once
But I must do what I must
I can't adjust to this disgust
We're done and I just

Giles/Tara:
Wish I could stay
Wish I could stay
Wish I could stay
Wish I could
Stay

Walk Through the Fire

Buffy:
I touch the fire and it freezes me
I look into it and it's black
Why can't I feel?
My skin should crack and peel
I want the fire back

Now through the smoke she calls to me
To make my way across the flame
To save the day
Or maybe melt away
I guess it's all the same

So I will walk through the fire
'Cause where else can I turn?
I will walk through the fire
And let it--

Spike:
The torch I bear is scorching me
And Buffy's laughing, I've no doubt
I hope she fries
I'm free if that bitch dies...
I'd better help her out

Sweet:
Cause she is drawn to the fire

Sweet: Spike:

Some people
She will

Sweet/Spike:
Never learn
And she will

Walk through the fire
And let it--

Giles:
Will this do a thing to change her?
Am I leaving Dawn in danger?
Is my Slayer too far gone to care?

Xander:
What if Buffy can't defeat it?

Anya:
Beady Eyes is right, we're needed!
Or we could just sit around and glare...

Scoobies:
We'll see it through
It's what we're always here to do
So we will walk through the fire

Buffy: Tara:

So one by one they turn from me
I guess my friends can't face the cold
But why I froze
Not one among them knows
And never can be told
What can't we face

If we're together?

Anya:
She came from her grave much graver
Spike:
First he'll kill her, then I'll save her
Tara:
Everything is turning out so dark
Spike:
No, I'll save her then I'll kill her
Willow:
I think this line's mostly filler
Giles:
What's it going to take
To strike a spark?
Buffy:
These endless days
Are finally ending in a blaze
Sweet:
So one by one

They come to me

The distant redness
as their guide

But what they'll find

Ain't what they have
in mind
It's what they have inside

She will come
To me

All:
And we are caught in the fire
The point of no return
So we will walk through the fire
And let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn
Let it burn

Sweet (spoken):
Showtime.

Something to Sing About

Buffy:
Life's a show and we all play our parts
And when the music starts
We open up our hearts
It's all right if some things come out wrong
We'll sing a happy song
And you can sing along

Where there's life, there's hope
Every day's a gift
Wishes can come true
Whistle while you work
So hard all day

To be like other girls
To fit in in this glittering world

Buffy: Giles (spoken):

Don't give me songs
Don't give me songs

She needs backup
Anya, Tara

Buffy:
Give me something to sing about

Anya/Tara:
Oh-oh-ohh...

Buffy:
I need something to sing about

Anya/Tara:
Oh-oh-ohh...

Buffy:
Life's a song
You don't get to rehearse
And every single verse
Can make it that much worse

Still my friends
Don't know why I ignore
The million things or more
I should be dancing for

All the joy life sends
Family and friends
All the twists and then
Knowing that it ends
Well that depends

On if they let you go
On if they know enough to know
That when you've bowed
You leave the crowd

There was no pain
No fear, no doubt
Til they pulled me out
Of Heaven

So that's my refrain
I live in Hell
Cause I've been expelled
From Heaven

I think I was in Heaven

So give me something to sing about
Please, give me something...

//wild dancing -- smoke rises until//

Spike:
Life's not a song
Life isn't bliss
Life is just this
It's living

You'll get along
The pain that you feel
You only can heal by living
You have to go on living
So one of us is living

Dawn (spoken):
The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.

What You Feel (Reprise)

Sweet (spoken):
Big smiles, everyone! You beat the bad guy.

And what a lot of fun
You guys have been real swell
And there's not a one who can say this ended well
All those secrets you've been concealing
Say you're happy now
Once more with feeling
Now I gotta run, see you all
In hell

Where Do We Go From Here?

Dawn:
Where do we go from here?

Spike/Buffy:
Where do we go from here?

Giles:
The battle's done and we kind of won

Giles/Tara:
So we sound our victory cheer
Where do we go from here?

Xander/Anya:
Why is the path unclear
When we know home is near

All:
Understand we'll go hand in hand
But we'll walk alone in fear

Giles:
Tell me

All:
Where do we go from here?

Scoobies: Spike (spoken):

When does "The End" appear?
When do the trumpets cheer?
Bugger this.

Scoobies:
The curtains close
On a kiss -- God knows
We can tell the end is near
Where do we go from here?
Where do we go from here?
Where do we go from here?

Buffy: Spike:

I touch the fire and it freezes me
I look into it and it's black
This isn't real
But I just want to feel--
I died
So many years ago

But you can make me feel--

All:
Where do we go from here?

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