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 ogre's like nasty
On his birthday the little ogre's parents sat him down
To talk just as all ogre 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 hawking
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

We'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

Goodbye, goodbye
Watch out for men with pitchforks

And so the little ogre went off
And found a muddy patch of swamp land far
Far away from the world that despised him
There he stayed for many years
Tucked away and all alone, which was just the way he liked it

Keep your big, bright, beautiful world
I'm happy where I am, all alone
I've got all I need
So read the stinkin' sign, ha, ha

Keep your big, bright, beautiful world
I party on my own anyway
Doing 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
That's why I was created but I don't care
'Cause being liked is grossly overrated

Who needs a big, bright, beautiful world
I've got my own little patch on the world
It's not a big, bright, beautiful world
But it's mine alone, it's mine, and it's mine, all mine