The Choice Is Mine Lyrics - Original Broadway Cast

DUBHDARA 

All the clans of Ireland 

Are bogged down in ancient fueds 

DONAL 

Like the feuds your kinsmen once began 

CHIEFTAN O'FLAHERTY 

Donal! 

DUBHDARA 

Yes! And so the Queen of England 

Sees us and concludes 

We're too weak to fight her empire's plan 

And so my friend, we must put old claims asside 

And join as one, a course that's never been tried 

CHIEFTON O'FLAHERTY 

We must, but how? 

That would call for trust 

No trust have I 

DUBHDARA 

Nor I 

CHIEFTON O'FLAHERTY 

You know, as I, 

How this work is done 

You have a daughter, 

And I have a son 

These two must wed 

And when there's an heir 

Then two warring clans 

Will at last be one 

GRACE 

Father, I know well what kind of victory this shows 

Tell me, was my fate just sealed for me? 

If you do accept this marriage union they propose 

I must give up Tiernan and the sea 

I fought so hard 

DUBHDARA 

You are selfless in war 

GRACE 

To carve a life that's mine 

DUBHDARA 

Give yourself like a man 

GRACE 

I love my land 

DUBHDARA 

But this fight calls for more 

GRACE 

Where Do I draw the line? 

DUBHDARA AND GRACE 

Who'll sacrifice 

To become one clan? 

DUBHDARA 

A man cannot 

A woman can 

GRACE 

(spoken) 

Tiernan; please! 

(sung) 

The choice is mine 

But I cannot refuse 

It's cruel, the path 

We are now forced to choose 

TIERNAN 

In the name of God! 

This you cannot do! 

GRACE 

Tiernan - this must be 

But my love still is you 

TIERNAN 

(spoken) 

Grace! You promised yourself to me! Does that mean nothing to you? 

DUBHDARA 

(spoken) 

Tiernan, it must be so. 

GRACE 

In this time of war 

Two small lives must yield 

Tiernan! 

Our clan accepts - 

Let the bond be sealed