[Madame Morrible:]
Oh, Miss Elphaba
Many years I have waited
For a gift like yours to appear
Why, I predict the Wizard might make you his
Magic grand vizier
My dear, my dear
I’ll write at once to the Wizard
Tell him of you in advance
With a talent like yours, dear, there is
A definish chance
If you work as you should
You’ll be making good
Welcome to Shiz!
[Elphaba:]
Did that really just happen?
Have I actually understood?
This weird quirk I’ve tried to suppress or hide
Is a talent that could help me meet the Wizard
If I make good
So I’ll make good
When I meet the Wizard
Once I prove my worth
And then I meet the Wizard
What I’ve waited for since, well, since birth
And with all his Wizard wisdom
By my looks, he won’t be blinded
Do you think the Wizard is dumb?
Or, like Munchkins, so small-minded? No!
He’ll say to me, “I see who you truly are
A girl on whom I can rely”
And that’s how we’ll begin
The Wizard and I
Once I’m with the Wizard
My whole life will change
‘Cause once you’re with the Wizard
No one thinks you’re strange
No father is not proud of you
No sister acts ashamed
And all of Oz has to love you
When, by the Wizard, you’re acclaimed
And this gift or this curse I have inside
Maybe, at last, I’ll know why
As we work hand in hand
The Wizard and I
And one day, he’ll say to me, “Elphaba
A girl who is so superior
Shouldn’t a girl who’s so good inside
Have a matching exterior?
And since folks here to an absurd degree
Seem fixated on your verdigris
Would it be alright by you
If I de-greenify you?”
And though, of course, that’s not important to me
“Alright, why not?”, I’ll reply
Oh, what a pair we’ll be
The Wizard and I
Yes, what a pair we’ll be
The Wizard and—
Unlimited
My future is unlimited
And I’ve just had a vision, almost like a prophecy
I know it sounds truly crazy
And true, the vision’s hazy
But I swear, someday, there’ll be
A celebration throughout Oz
That’s all to do with me
And I’ll stand there with the Wizard
Feeling the things I’ve never felt
And though I’d never show it
I’d be so happy I could melt
And so it will be for the rest of my life
And I’ll want nothing else ’til I die
Held in such high esteem
When people see me, they will scream
For half of Oz’s favorite team
The Wizard and I
Dreams, Destiny, and Self-Discovery in “The Wizard And I”
“The Wizard And I,” performed by Ariana Grande, captures a pivotal turning point in the character Elphaba’s journey—her realization that what once made her an outcast may actually be her greatest gift. Through poignant lyrics, the song explores the hope and anticipation of meeting someone who finally understands and values her unique abilities. Elphaba’s yearning to be accepted and celebrated is palpable, as she envisions a future where her “curse” is transformed into a ticket to belonging and success. The interplay between vulnerability and optimism creates an emotional resonance that invites listeners to reflect on their own dreams and the desire for validation.
Song Credits
- Songwriters: Stephen Schwartz
- Release Year: 2021
- Label: Republic Records