「アメリカにいるのが気に入ってるの」
1961年に映画化されたブロードウェイミュージカルの傑作「ウエストサイドストーリー」。映像も踊りも音楽もすばらしく、今みてもゾクゾクするくらい魅力的です。名曲ぞろいですが、プエルトリコからの移民の若者グループが歌う「America」は勢いのいいダンスとともに印象に残る一曲。「自由の国アメリカ」にやってきて夢膨むきっぷのよい女性たちと、新天地でも移民としての絶えない苦労に皮肉たっぷりの男性陣との掛け合いが絶妙です。”Skyscrapers bloom in America, Cadillacs zoom in America!” “Twelve in a room in America!”「摩天楼そびえるアメリカ、キャデラック走るアメリカ！」「ひと部屋に12人だぜ！」いたるところに韻がふまれていて躍動感をだしていますね。
America
music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
ANITA
Puerto Rico
My heart’s devotion
Let it sink back in the ocean
Always the hurricanes blowing
Always the population growing
And the money owing
And the sunlight streaming
And the natives steaming
I like the island Manhattan
Smoke on your pipe
And put that in!
GIRLS
I like to be in America
Okay by me in America
Everything free in America
BERNARDO
For a small fee in America
ANITA
Buying on credit is so nice
BERNARDO
One look at us and they charge twice
ROSALIA
I have my own washing machine
INDIO
What will you have not to keep clean?
ANITA
Skyscrapers bloom in America
ROSALIA
Cadillacs zoom in America
TERESITA
Industry boom in America
BOYS
Twelve in a room in America
ANITA
Lots of new housing with more space
BERNARDO
Lots of doors slamming in our face
ANITA
I’ll get a terrace apartment
BERNARDO
Better get rid of your accent
ANITA
Life can be bright in America
BOYS
If you can fight in America
GIRLS
Life is all right in America
BOYS
If you’re a white in America
GIRLS
Here you are free and you have pride
BOYS
Long as you stay on your own side
GIRLS
Free to be anything you choose
BOYS
Free to wait tables and shine shoes
BERNARDO
Everywhere grime in America
Organized crime in America
Terrible time in America
ANITA
You forget I’m in America
BERNARDO
I think I’ll go back to San Juan
ANITA
I know a boat you can get on
(Bye Bye)
BERNARDO
Everyone there will give big cheer!
ANITA
Everyone there will have moved here
