Break the Rules

Artist

Kevin Norberg

Album

“The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” stage musical

Lyrics

Instrumental Intro

EUSTACE: CASPIAN:

We hear it from our government,
our parents and our schools: / Is that a clue?
You’re really in deep water
if you don’t obey the rules. / So very true!
People in authority just
love to sit and make them. / That’s nothing new.
But, if you will notice, they’re
the first in line to break them! / Do I detect—
I will choose to disobey, / Some disrespect?
thank you kindly anyway, / Well, I object!
Take your silly rules and prey
upon those other fools. / Oh, Eustace, you’re a snipe!
I am out to have some fun, / The snot-nosed type.
I look out for Number One, / And that is
I have only just begun to / why I’ve only just begun to
BREAK THE RULES! / MAKE THE RULES!

Instrumental interlude

EUSTACE: CASPIAN:
/ It’s clear to me society
/ must keep the rule of law.
You’re such a bore, / And if it’s true, then clearly you
/ you must quit this coup d’tat.
Do tell me more! / People in authority have
/ quite an obligation,
That’s so blasé. / Number One priority is
/ social preservation.
You’re so passé / I refuse to disobey,
Oh, by the way— / I will choose a better way,
That’s a cliché! / That is why you’ll hear me say,
/ “Don’t follow after fools.”
I can’t hear a thing! / There will be a Judgment Day,
Who died and made YOU king?
/ (spoken) Wait! No more debate.

You’re the reason why I have to / You’re the reason why I have to
BREAK THE RULES! / MAKE THE RULES!

People in authority just / People in authority have
love to sit and make them / quite an obligation,
But, if you will notice, they’re / Number One priority is
the first in line to break them! / social preservation.
I will choose to disobey, / I refuse to disobey,
thank you kindly anyway, / pay your dues on Judgment Day.
Take your silly rules and prey / I’ll tell you why:
upon those other fools. / For if you won’t comply,
I am out to have some fun, / then Eustace, it’s goodbye.
I look out for Number One, / And that’s the reason why
I have only just begun to / I’ve only just begun to
BREAK — / MAKE —
THE — / THE —
RULES! / RULES!

Behind the Song

“BREAK THE RULES” is a “dialog” duet between Eustace Clarence Scrubb and Prince Caspian. This is a musical argument — a “list song” in which both Eustace and Caspian enumerate their opposing philosophies for breaking (or making) societal rules.

On the Dawn Treader’s voyage into the uncharted waters of the Great Eastern Sea, Eustace and his cousins Lucy and Edmund are guests aboard Prince Caspian’s royal vessel. The impudent Eustace manages to break every rule on the ship and then decides to taunt Reepicheep, the valiant talking mouse, swinging him by his tail. Bad idea!! Reep challenges Eustace to a duel, but the bully professes to be a pacifist and retreats to his cabin to sulk.

Prince Caspian has a tête-à-tête with Eustace, admonishing him to change his bad behavior, but the insufferable boy refuses to obey (“BREAK THE RULES”).

In the song, Eustace further demonstrates the self-absorbed, prideful side of his character, as Caspian asserts his obligation for keeping order while showing us his long-suffering nature. It establishes Caspian’s authority, and reaffirms Eustace as an intransigent rebel, which is later paid off metaphorically when the boy is turned into a dragon.

When I composed “BREAK THE RULES” for the original stage production, I drafted the song as a duet. But, when I ran out of time to finish it in the run-up to the show, I gave it to Eustace as a solo instead.

Now having a second chance at it, I rewrote the song last week, keeping the original first chorus, but adding the back-and-forth dustup between Eustace and Caspian. There’s a counterpoint melody for the duet, a new second chorus for Caspian, and a fun, new ending. While the second melody in the duet is brand-new, the overall arrangement is fairly close to the original.

This tune really moves along. You might need to listen twice (or more) to catch everything! My favorite line? Eustace to Prince Caspian: “Who died and made YOU king?”

I sing both vocal solos—Eustace and Caspian—and perform the piano track. (Truth is, I like being a prince, but it’s much more fun being a brat!!)

Copyright

1983, 2007 Kevin M. Norberg, Invisible Camel Publishing, ASCAP