Overture / Big Bright Beautiful World

Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek Who lived with his parents in a bog by a tree It was a pretty nasty place But he was happy because ogres like nasty On his birthday, the little ogre's parents sat him down to talk Just as all ogre's parents had for hundreds of years before Listen son, you're growing up so quickly Growing up, bigger by the day Although we want you here The rules are very clear-- Now you're seven... Now you're seven... So it's time to go away Your Mama packed a sandwich for your trip Your Papa packed your boots in case of snow You're gonna make us proud No backing up allowed Just keep walking... Just keep walking... And you'll find somewhere to go It's a big bright beautiful world With happiness all around It's peaches and cream And every dream comes true... But not for you It's a big, bright, beautiful world With possibilities everywhere And just around the bend There's a friend or two... But not for you You're ugly son Which means that life is harder People hate the things they cannot understand And when they look at us They tend to make a fuss Burn our houses down And chase us... Off our land It's important that you find a cozy cesspit A place no one would ever dare to tread And if they happen by Make sure you terrify them If you don't, son... If you don't, son... Then you'll surely wind up dead Good-bye! Good-bye! Watch out for men with pitch-forks! And so the little ogre went off and found a muddy patch of swampland, far, far away from the world that despised him And there he stayed for many years Tucked away, and all alone... Which was just the was he liked it Keep your big bright beautiful world I'm happy where I am, all alone I got all I need So read the stinkin' sign! Keep your big bright beautiful world I party on my own anyway Doin' what I can With a one-man conga line Yeah, your big bright beautiful world Is all teddy bears and unicorns Take your fluffy fun And shove it where the sun don't shine! I prefer a life like this-- It's not that complicated Sure, I'm fated to be lonely And I'm destined to be hated If you read the books, they say It's why I was created But I don't care 'Cause being liked Is grossly overrated Who needs a big bright beautiful world? I got my own little patch of the world! It's not a big bright beautiful world But it's mine! Alone, it's mine! And it's mine! All mine!