On the road to see the ocean for the first time

with his wife, Maria, and daughter, Hattie,, a reluctant

Farmer Eli pauses to taste water from a well and finds it . . . lacking.

ELI

Terrible flat water! Tastes as if it come out o' the cistern.

 

HATTIE

(Tasting the water with the dipper)

Pretty good, I call it. Here, Ma.

 

MARIA

You always were pretty particular about water, Father.

(She tastes it)

Well, it's just fine! I mean, I guess I don't mind it so much.

 

ELI

Brackish, brackish! 'Specially compared to the water we have at home. Our old well serves up some mighty fine refreshment!

 

(Sings)

 

THE WATER AT HOME

IS SO COLD, AN' SO CLEAR,
MADE OF FINER CRYSTAL
THAN A CHANDELIER.
AS GOOD AS GRAIN,
AN' STRONG AS BEER.
GET DRUNK ON THE WATER AT HOME!

 
MARIA

THE WATER AT HOME,
FROM THE HEART OF THE WELL,
MAKES THE BEST PERSCRIPTION
FOR A LONG HOT SPELL,
CALLS FROM AFAR
LIKE A DINNER BELL
IT'S MUSIC, THE WATER AT HOME.

 
ELI AND MARIA

NOT SEALED IN THE GROUND,
SHUT OFF FROM THE PURIFYIN’ AIRS OF HEAVEN...
NO, OPEN TO THE SUN!
BUCKET BRINGS THE FLAVOR AN' SCENT OF HEAVEN.

 

ELI

AN' THE SOIL AT HOME
IS AS DARK AS THE SKY
ON A STARLESS MIDNIGHT,
AND I’LL TELL YOU WHY…
IT’S RICH AS LIFE,
'CAUSE IT'S WATERED BY
THE FRAGRANT AN' FLAVORFUL . . .

MARIA

. . . MOIST AND MIRACULOUS . . .

 

ELI AND MARIA

 

WATER AT HOME.