Santa Fe – Prologue

Santa Fe – Prologue is the first song in the 2011 musical.

Context
As Jack Kelly is savoring the last few moments of quiet before the sun rises, he shares with his best friend Crutchie his rooftop view of the city and his dream for a better life out West.

Lyrics
JACK (spoken) Them streets down there, they sucked the life right outta my old man. Well they ain't doin' that to me.​

CRUTCHIE (spoken) But everyone wants to come to New York.​

JACK (spoken) You keep your small life in the big city. Give me a big life in a small town.​ (sung) They say folks is dyin' to get here Me, I'm dyin' to get away To a little town out west That's spankin' new

And while I ain't never been there I can see it clear as day If you want, I betcha you could see it too

Close your eyes Come with me Where it's clean and green and pretty And they went and made a city outta clay

Why, the minute that ya get there Folks'll walk right up and say "Welcome home, son Welcome home to Santa Fe!"

Plantin' crops Splittin' rails Swappin' tales around the fire 'Cept for Sunday when you lie around all day

Soon your friends are more like family And they's beggin' you to stay! Ain't that neat? Livin' sweet In Santa Fe

(spoken) Hey, no one worries about no gimp leg in Santa Fe. You just hop a Palomino, you'll ride in style!

CRUTCHIE (spoken) Picture me, ridin' in style.​

JACK (spoken) Hey, I bet a few months of clean air, you could toss that crutch for good!

JACK & CRUTCHIE Santa Fe You can bet We won't let them bastards beat us We won't beg no one to treat us fair and square There's a life that's worth the livin' And I'm gonna do my share

JACK Work the land, chase the sun

JACK & CRUTCHIE Swim the whole Rio Grande just for fun!

CRUTCHIE Watch me stand! Watch me run

JACK (spoken) Hey, hey... (sung) Don't you know that we's a family? Would I let you down? No way Just hold on, kid 'Til that train makes Santa Fe