The Higher You Get, the Farther the Fall is an original song, written by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, that is sung in the ninth episode of the first season, Hell on Earth. The song is sung by guest star Norbert Leo Butz, who is an American actor best known for his work in Broadway theatre.
The song is sung during a performance of the musical, written by Houston and Levitt, called Heaven on Earth.
Lyrics[]
Angels:
Welcome, welcome, recently deceased
Be you Democrat, Republican, chorus girl or priest
Though you've closed up shop
And you're recently departed
We're afraid the final test
Has only just started
Ivy:
But don't come to us with your worries and complaints
Unnamed girl:
Save it for the doorman, who's a Saint among saints
Angels:
He knows your future
'Cause he's seen your past
Which is why he might be telling you:
Norbert Leo Butz:
Huh-uh, not so fast!
Whoo!
When you're knock, knock, knocking
Up on heaven's gate
Don't you trip up, or you'll slip up
On a holy twist of fate
As I said last night to St. Vinny Depaul
The higher you get, the farther the fall
Now, you think that you're on top
How you love to wear the crown
But don't you know that up means
There's no place to go but down?
And it's already written on the big man's wall
The higher you get, the farther the fall
Well, the last rites you've been given
And you wanna cut in line
But look out, brother, I might pull a switch
'Cause the things you did while livin'
Well, they weren't all divine
And don't you know that karma is a...
Well, you'll understand if I don't finish that last sentence.
All:
Thank God!
Norbert Leo Butz:
Oh, when your book of life is read
And the judgment day is near
You'll say, "Point me toward the exit,
'Armageddon' out of here!"
'Cause when you slide down
Well, you can't come back, y'all
'Cause the higher you get, oh, the farther the fall
Was your life a bed of roses?
Well, get ready for some thorns
Delivered by 'ol Beelzebub
Mid pointy tail and horns
Like the song that my heart
Sang to my cholesterol
All:
The higher you get, oh, the farther the fall!
Norbert Leo Butz
Oh, your face was in the movies!
You were quite the superstar
Well, dear, heaven has no agents
We don't follow your P.R.
So, you may get cut when the final credits roll
'Cause the higher you get, the farther the fall!
You're so proud that you conducted life
Like music on the breeze!
The bravos made you think you were a smash!
But now it's time to be instructed
On the world's great symphonies
'Cause the good ones always end up with a crash!
So once everything was first class
You were always flying high!
All:
But your flight's been grounded
Norbert Leo Butz
Even coach has passed you by!
Like a senator who's tapping on
An airport bathroom stall, ooh!
The higher you get, the farther the fall!
Now I'm kickin' butt and takin' names
All:
Higher and higher
Norbert Leo Butz:
'Cause even St. Joan went down in flames
All:
Higher and higher
Norbert Leo Butz:
Some hot stuff!
Napoleon Waterloo'ed and Genghis Khan sure hit a slump
I might say, "You're fired"
When you have expired, Donald Trump!
V.I.P's don't wanna hear it
That they might not get inside
But camels through a needle?
Here's the key
And to all those poor in spirit
Well, the doors are open wide
Go right on in and have a drink on me
Last call!
And so if you are high and mighty
Well, you better not assume!
That you will not get a whack at the crack of doom
'Cause you still might get the hook
Before the final curtain call
So, let me take a look to see who has the wherewithal!
'Geez I wish the Lord could type
'Cause man it's hard to read this scrawl
All:
He said the higher you get!
Norbert Leo Butz:
Say what?
All:
The higher you get!
Norbert Leo Butz:
In harmony, boys!
All:
The higher you get!
Norbert Leo Butz:
Ooh, that's nice!
All:
The farther!
Norbert Leo Butz:
The farther!
All:
The farther!
Norbert Leo Butz:
The farther you...
All:
Fall!
Vidoes[]
Smash - The Higher You Get The Farther The Fall HD