Lyrics Once and For All - Newsies - Original Broadway Cast

There's change comin'
Once and for all
You makes the front page
And man, you is major news

Tomorrow, they'll see what we are
And sure as a star
We ain't come this far
To lose

(Here they come!)
This is the story we needed to write
That's been kept out of sight, but no more
In a few hours, by dawn's early light
We'll be ready to fight us a war

This time we're in it to stay
Talk about seizin' the day
Write it in ink or in blood
It's the same either way
They're gonna damn well pay!

See old man Pulitzer snug in his bed
He don't care if we're dead or alive
Three satin pillows are under his head
While we's beggin' for bread to survive

Joe, you can stop countin' sheep
We're gonna sing ya to sleep
You've got your thugs
With their sticks and their slugs, yeah!
But we got a promise to keep!

Once and for all
If they don't find their manners, we'll bleed 'em! (Bleed 'em!)
Once and for all
We won't carry no banners that don't spell freedom!

Finally, we's raisin' the stakes
This time whatever it takes!
This time the union awakes
Once and for all!

(Come on, boys!)
(Yeah! Let's get 'em!)
This is for kids shinin' shoes on the street
With no shoes on their feet everyday
This is for guys sweatin' blood in the shops
While their bosses and cops look away

I'm seeing kids standin' tall
Glarin' and rarin' to brawl
Armies of guys who are sick of the lies
Getting ready to rise to the call!

Once and for all
There'll be blood on the wall if they doubt us
They think they're runnin' this town
But this town will shut down without us

Ten thousand kids in the square! (Ten thousand kids in the square!)
Ten thousand fists in the air! (Ten thousand fists!)
Joe, you is gonna play fair
Once and for all!

Once and for all! (Once and for all!)
Once and for all! (Once and for all!)
Once and for all! (Once and for all!)

There's change comin'
Once and for all
You're gettin' too old
Too weak to keep holdin' on

A new world is gunnin' for you
And Joe, we is too!
'Til once and for all
You're gone!

Once and for all!
Once and for all!
Once and for all!
Once and for all!