The Wicked Witch of the East

"**The Wicked Witch of the East**" is a song from the musical Wicked. It is sung by Boq (originated by Kirk McDonald in the San Francisco tryouts and by Christopher Fitzgerald in the Broadway production), Nessarose (originated by Michelle Federer) and Elphaba (originated by Idina Menzel). The song was composed by Stephen Schwartz.

The Wicked Witch of the East is the only song not to be featured on the original Broadway cast recording (2003), as the producers felt the song included too much dialogue and would also give some of the plot away to people who have not seen the show.

## Lyrics

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

Elphaba, shut up! First of all

I can't harbour a fugitive, I am an unelected official

And why should I help you?

You fly around Oz trying to rescue Animals you've never even met

And not once have you ever thought to use your powers to rescue me!

All of my life, I've depended on you

(sung)

How do you think that feels?

All of my life, I've depended on you

And this hideous chair with wheels

Scrounging for scraps of pity to pick up

And longing to kick up my heels

[ELPHABA, spoken]

Nessa, there isn't a spell for everything

The... the power is mysterious, it not like cobbling up a pair of... wait!

(sung)

*Ambulahn Dare Pahto Pahpoot*

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

What are you doing?

[ELPHABA, sung]

*Ambulahn Dasca Caldapess*

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

What does that mean?

[ELPHABA, sung]

*Lahfenahto Lahfenahtum

Pede Pede Caldapess

Ambulahn Dare

Pahto Pahpoot

Lahfenahto Lahfenahtum*

*Pede Pede Caldapess*

[NESSA, *as Elphaba chants*]

Oh! My shoes! They feel like they're on fire! What have you done to my shoes?

[*Nessa attempts so stand, then falls down*]

No! No, don't help me

[*She tries again and successfully stands*]

[ELPHABA, spoken]

Oh Nessa, at last!

(sung)

I've done what long ago I should

And finally from these powers something good

Finally, something good

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

Boq! Boq, come quickly!

[BOQ, spoken]

You did this for her?

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

For both of us!

[BOQ, spoken]

Oh Nessa... this changes everything

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

I know

[BOQ, spoken]

Nessa

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

Yes?

[BOQ, sung]

Oh, Nessa

Surely now I'll matter less to you

You won't mind my leaving here tonight

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

Leaving?

[BOQ, sung]

Yes

That ball that's being staged

Announcing Glinda is engaged

To Fiyero

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

Glinda?

[BOQ, sung]

Yes, Nessa, that's right

I've got to go appeal to her

Express the way I feel for her

(spoken)

Nessa, I lost my heart to Glinda from the moment I first saw her.You know that

[NESSAROSE, spoken]

Lost your heart?

(sung)

Well, we'll see about that

[ELPHABA, spoken]

Nessa, let him go

[NESSAROSE, sung]

Did you think I'd let you leave me here flat!?

[BOQ, spoken]

Don't come any closer!

[NESSAROSE, sung]

You're going to lose your heart to me, I tell you!

If I have, I have to... magic spell you

Ah... Tum... Core... Tum... Ah... Tum... Tah... Tayk–

[ELPHABA (as Nessa chants)]

Nessa, no, it's dangerous...

[BOQ]

What's she doing?

[ELPHABA]

You're pronouncing the words all wrong...

[BOQ]

I'm warning you! Don't try to stop me!

Oh!

[ELPHABA]

Oh no... Nessa!

[NESSA (stops chanting)]

Boq, what is it?

[BOQ]

My heart... it feels... it feels like it's shrinking!

[NESSA]

Oh, Elphaba, do something!

[ELPHABA]

I can't. You can't reverse a spell once it's been cast

[NESSA, spoken]

Then what do we do?! This is all your fault! If you had not shown me that horrible book

[ELPHABA, spoken]

I've got to find another spell. It's the only thing that might work

[NESSAROSE, sung]

Save him please, just save him

My poor Boq, my sweet, my brave him

Don't leave me 'til my sorry life has ceased

[ELPHABA begins chanting in melody]

[NESSAROSE, sung]

Alone and loveless here

Just the girl in the mirror

Just her and me, Wicked Witch of the East!

We deserve each other