 
1. Will You Help Me, Prue?In Act 1, scene 3, Gideon tells his sister Prue of his plan to make their farm profitable. When he becomes rich he will sell it and become a powerful and respected figure in Lullingford town. Prue’s wants are simpler—a cozy home and family—but her brother convinces her that because she has a disfigured face no one will ever offer to marry her. Best she swear to work hard for him and he will promise that she will enjoy his wealth and position once he achieves it.
2. Those Be the Ways the Grouse LaughsAfter Prue reluctantly agrees to his get-rich plan, Gideon insists that she vow to obey him. He goes off to fetch the Bible for her to swear on. Prue looks into the water at her reflection and then hears the bitter cackling sound of a grouse up in the treetops. She sings “Those Be the Ways the Grouse Laughs”, reflecting on her fate. At first she identifies with the grouse’s bitter laughter, but in the end decides that if she “canna have a lover” she will embrace the beauty of the world, and become the world’s lover instead.
3. Lullingford/HareshottenLullingford is the market town nearest to the Sarn Farm, where Gideon Sarn goes on market days to buy supplies and sell what the farm produces. The recording is of the “Lullingford” reprise in Act II, at the Hiring Fair, where workers gather to call out their trades in the hope that farm owners will hire them. Prue Sarn is well liked by her neighbors, who have known her since birth. But when strangers see her “hareshotten” lip, they react with superstitious fear and hatred. They believe that a harelip is the Devil’s Mark.
4. Master Be ComeThis is the love song Prue sings in Act I after she first lays eyes on the weaver, Kester Woodseaves, at her friend Jancis’ betrothal party. Unlike the other women, Prue hides out of sight until Kester goes to the attic to do his weaving. But having once seen him she knows already that he is The One—and that such a man could never love a hareshotten wench. He deserves a beauty.
5. Saddle Your Dreams6. Don’t Make Me Walk That Road (Act I Finale)This is the Act I finale. Jancis pleads with Gideon to turn away from his plan for riches and a big house and marry her right away! If he doesn’t, her father will “sell” her to a rich man, or send her off to work on a far away farm for three years. Gideon believes that marrying young and having children will trap them in poverty. His betrothed should trust him, and go away to earn money for their future together. Prue joins Jancis’ plea to choose love now. Ghostly voices from the waters of Sarn Mere join the trio with foreboding.
Copyright 2010, 2023 Miriam Raiken-Kolb & G.L. Horton 
Gideon |