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"The Book Report" is a song from the stage musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and the animated TV special of the same name. It is sung by the entire cast about having to write a book report on The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Lyrics[]

(A dour musical undercurrent begins and four gloomy-looking people - Lucy, Schroeder, Linus and Charlie Brown - enter with pencils and "notebooks," taking their places at four different parts of the stage)

All: Homework. Yeough!

Lucy: A book report on Peter Rabbit.

Linus: A book report on Peter Rabbit.

Schroeder: A book report on Peter Rabbit.

Charlie Brown: A book report on Peter Rabbit.

Lucy: (Thinks briefly, then...) Peter Rabbit is a stupid book
About this stupid rabbit who steals
Vegetables from other people's gardens.
(She counts the words, one through seventeen) Eighty-three to go.

Schroeder: The name of the book about which
This book report is about is
"Peter Rabbit," which is about this
Rabbit.
I found it very -

(He crosses out)

I liked the part where -

(He crosses out)

It was a -

(Slash!)

It reminded me of "Robin Hood."
And the part where Little John jumped from the rock
To the Sheriff of Nottingham's back.
And then Robin and everyone swung from the trees
In a sudden surprise attack.
And they captured the sheriff and all of his goods,
And they carried him back to their camp in the woods,
And the sheriff was guest at their dinner and all,
But he wriggled away and he sounded the call,
And his men rushed in and the arrows flew -
Peter Rabbit did sort of that kind of thing too.

Lucy: The other people's name was MacGregor.
(She counts the words from eighteen to twenty-three)
Hmm.

Linus: In examining a work such as Peter Rabbit, it is important that the superficial characteristics of its deceptively simple plot should not be allowed to blind the reader to the more substantial fabric of its deeper motivations. In this report I plan to discuss the sociological implications of family pressures so great as to drive an otherwise moral rabbit to perform acts of thievery which he consciously knew were against the law. I also hope to explore the personality of Mr. MacGregor in his conflicting role as farmer and humanitarian. (Charlie Brown begins to sing) Peter Rabbit is established from the start as a benevolent hero and it is only with the increase of social pressure that the seams in his moral fabric...

Charlie Brown: (Linus' speech fades as he begins to sing) If I start writing now
When I'm not really rested
It could upset my thinking
Which is not good at all.
I'll get a fresh start tomorrow
And it's not due till Wednesday,
So I'll have all of Tuesday
Unless something should happen.
Why does this always happen -
I should be outside playing,
Getting fresh air and sunshine,
I work best under pressure
And there'll be lots of pressure
If I wait till tomorrow,
I should start writing now.
But I if I start writing now
When I'm not really rested,
It could upset my thinking
Which is not good at all.

Lucy: The name of the rabbit was Peter.
Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty.

Schroeder: Down came the staff on his head - smash!
And Robin fell like a sack full of lead - crash!
The Sheriff laughed and he left him for dead - ha!
But he was wrong.

Lucy: Thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven, thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty!

Schroeder: Just then an arrow flew in - whing!
It was the sign for the fight to begin - zing!
And then it looked like the Sheriff would win - ah!
But not for long.
Away they ran.
Just like rabbits,
Who run a lot,
As you can tell
From the story
Of "Peter Rabbit,"
Which this report
Is about.

Charlie Brown: How do they expect us to write a book report...

Lucy: There were vegetables in the garden...

Charlie Brown: ... of any quality in just two days.

Lucy: Such as carrots and spinach and onions and...

(Charlie Brown and Lucy sing simultaneously)

Charlie Brown: How can they
Conspire to make life so miserable
And so effectively
In so many ways.

Lucy: Lettuce and turnips and
Parsley and okra and cabbage and string beans and parsnips,
Tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus,
Cauliflower, rhubarb and chives.

Linus: Not to mention the extreme pressure exerted on him by his deeply rooted rivalry with Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail.

(Lucy, Charlie Brown and Schroeder sing simultaneously)

Lucy: Peter Rabbit is this
Stupid book
About a stupid
Rabbit who steals
Vegetables from other people's gardens.
Gardens, gardens.
Seventy-five, seventy-six,
Seventy-seven, seventy-eight,
Seventy-nine, eighty,
Eighty-one, eighty-two.

Charlie Brown: If I start writing now
When I'm not really rested
It could upset my thinking
Which is not good at all.
No good at all.

Oh -

First thing after
Dinner I'll start.

Schroeder: The name of the book about which
This book report is about is
"Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit."
All for one,
Every man does his part.

Oh...

Lucy: And they were very, very, very, very,
Very, very happy to be home.

Schroeder: The end.

Lucy: ... ninety-four, ninety-five.
(Singing)
The very, very, very end.

Linus: A-men.

Charlie Brown: (Beginning to write) A book report on "Peter Rabbit"

Brown, who leaves his "desk" and wanders dejectedly downstage. He happens to look up, and in doing so, sees a single, large green leaf hanging just at the edge of the proscenium. He hesitates, then sees the audience and speaks to them)

Lucy van Pelt: Homework!
Schroeder: Homework!
Linus van Pelt: Homework!
Charlie Brown: Homework!
All: Yuck!

Lucy: A book report on Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit, Peter ra-
Linus (overlapping): A book report on Peter Rabbit, Peter ra-
Schroeder (overlapping): A book report on Peter Rabbit, ra-
Charlie Brown (overlapping): A book report on Peter ra-
All: -Abbit.

Lucy: Peter Rabbit is a stupid book about this stupid rabbit,
Who steals vegetables from other peoples' gardens!
(counting words) One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen... Hmm, eighty-three to go.

Schroeder: The name of the book about which
This book report is about is
Peter Rabbit which is about this
Rabbit.
I found it very-
I liked the part where-
It was a-
It reminded me of "Robin Hood"!

And the part where Little John jumped from the rock
To the Sheriff of Nottingham's back.
And then Robin and everyone swung from the trees
In a sudden surprise attack.
And they captured the sheriff and all of his goods
And they carried him back to their camp in the woods
And the sheriff was guest at their dinner and all
But he wriggled away and he sounded the call
And his men rushed in and the arrows flew-
Peter Rabbit did sort of that kind of thing too...

Lucy: The other people's name was McGregor.
(counting words) Eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-one, twenty-two, twenty-three. Hmm.

Linus: (lecturing): In examining a work such as Peter Rabbit, it is important that the superficial characteristics of its deceptively simple plot should not be allowed to blind the reader to the more substantial fabric of its deeper motivations. In this report, I plan to discuss the sociological implications of family pressures so great as to drive an otherwise moral rabbit to perform acts of thievery, which he consciously knew were against the law. (Peter steals a carrot in a garden) I also hope to explore the personality of Mr. McGregor, in his conflicting role as farmer and humanitarian. (Mr. McGregor chases the rabbit) Peter Rabbit is established from the start as a benevolent hero, and it is only with the increase of social pressure that the seams in his moral fabric...

Charlie Brown: If I start writing now when I'm not really rested,
It could upset my thinking which is no good at all.
I'll get a fresh start tomorrow and it's not due till Wednesday,
So I'll have all of Tuesday unless something should happen.
Why does this always happen? I should be outside playing
Getting fresh air and sunshine,
I work best under pressure, and there'll be lots of pressure
If I wait till tomorrow
I should start writing now.
But I if I start writing now when I'm not really rested
It could upset my thinking which is no good at all.

Lucy: The name of the rabbit was Peter.
(counting words) Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! Ha!

Schroeder: Down came the staff on his head- smash!
And Robin fell like a sack full of lead- crash!
The sheriff laughed and he left him for dead- ah!
But he was wrong!

Lucy: Thirty-five, Thirty-six, Thirty-seven, Thirty-eight, Thirty-nine, Forty!

Schroeder: Just then an arrow flew in- whing!
It was a sign for the fight to begin- zing!
And then it looked like the sheriff would win- ah!
But not for long. Away they ran.
Just like rabbits. Who run a lot
As you can tell from the story of Peter Rabbit
Which this report is about...

Charlie Brown: How do they expect us to write a book report? (Lucy: There were vegetables in the garden!)
Of any quality in just two days? (Such as carrots and spinach and onions and lettuce)
How can they conspire to make life so miserable? (And turnips and parsley and okra and cabbage)
And so effectively (And string beans and parsnips, tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus)
In so many ways? (Cauliflower, rhubarb and chives!)

Linus (Continues lecturing): Not to mention the extreme pressure exerted on him by his deeply rooted rivalry with Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail!

(The following lines overlap over each other until Lucy finishes writing)
Schroeder: The name of the book about which
This book report is about is
Peter Rabbit,
Peter Rabbit!
All for one, every man does his part!
Ooooooooooooh!

Charlie Brown: If I start writing now when I'm not really rested
It could upset my thinking, which is no good at all
Not good at all.
Oh, first thing after dinner I'll staaaaaaaaart!

Linus: What drove an otherwise moral rabbit to perform acts of thievery?
Thievery!
Sociological implications
Fam'ly pressure.
Simple ploooooooooot!

Lucy: Peter Rabbit is this stupid book about this stupid rabbit,
Who steals vegetables from other peoples' gardens
Gardens. Gardens!
Seventy-five, Seventy-six, Seventy-seven, Seventy-eight
Seventy-nine, Eighty, Eighty-one, Eighty-two!

Lucy (finishes writing): And they were very, very, very, very, very, very
Happy to be home

Schroeder: The end.
Lucy: (counting) Ninety-four, Ninety-five...
The very, very, very end!

Linus (finishes lecturing): A-men!

Charlie Brown: (starts writing) A book report on Peter Rabbit...

(the first two paragraphs cut in the album version)
Sally/Snoopy Chasing Rabbits, Chasing Rabbits
Chasing Rabbits, Chasing Rabbits
Chasing Rabbits, Chasing Rabbits
Chasing Rabbits, Chasing Rabbits...

Linus: Rabbits?
Schroeder: Rabbits?
Lucy: Rabbits?
Charlie Brown: Rabbits!

Lucy: A book report on Peter Rabbit, Peter Rabbit, Peter ra-
Linus (overlapping): A book report on Peter Rabbit, Peter ra-
Schroeder (overlapping): A book report on Peter Rabbit, ra-
Charlie Brown (overlapping): A book report on Peter ra-
All: (gasps) -Abbit.

Lucy: Peter Rabbit is a stupid book about this stupid rabbit,
Who steals vegetables from other peoples' gardens!
(counting words) One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen... Hmm. Eighty-three to go.

Schroeder: The name of the book about which
This book report is about is
Peter Rabbit which is about this
Rabbit.
I found it very-
I liked the part where-
It was a-
It reminded me of "Robin Hood"!

And the part where Little John jumped from the rock
To the Sheriff of Nottingham's back.
And then Robin and everyone swung from the trees
In a sudden surprise attack.
And they captured the sheriff and all of his goods
And they carried him back to their camp in the woods
And the sheriff was guest at their dinner and all
But he wriggled away and he sounded the call
And his men rushed in and the arrows flew-
Peter Rabbit did sort of that kind of thing too...

Lucy: The other people's name was McGregor.
(counting words) Eighteen, Nineteen, Twenty, Twenty-one, Twenty-two, Twenty-three... ohhh!

Linus: (lecturing): In examining a work such as Peter Rabbit, it is important that the superficial characteristics of its deceptively simple plot should not be allowed to blind the reader to the more substantial fabric of its deeper motivations. In this report, I plan to discuss the sociological implications of family pressures so great as to drive an otherwise moral rabbit to perform acts of thievery, which he consciously knew were against the law. (Peter steals a carrot in a garden) I also hope to explore the personality of Mr. McGregor, in his conflicting role as farmer and humanitarian. (Mr. McGregor chases the rabbit) Peter Rabbit is established from the start as a benevolent hero, and it is only with the increase of social pressure that the seams in his moral fabric...

Charlie Brown (overlapping): If I start writing now when I'm not really rested,
It could upset my thinking which is no good at all.
I'll get a fresh start tomorrow and it's not due till Wednesday,
So I'll have all of Tuesday unless something should happen.
Why does this always happen? I should be outside playing
Getting fresh air and sunshine,
I work best under pressure, and there'll be lots of pressure
If I wait till tomorrow
I should start writing now.
But I if I start writing now when I'm not really rested
It could upset my thinking which is no good at all.

Lucy: The name of the rabbit was Peter.
(counting words) Twenty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty! Yes!

Schroeder: Down came the staff on his head- smash!
And Robin fell like a sack full of lead- crash!
The sheriff laughed and he left him for dead- ah!
But he was wrong!

Lucy: Thirty-five, Thirty-six, Thirty-seven, Thirty-eight, Thirty-nine, Forty!

Schroeder: Just then an arrow flew in- whing!
It was a sign for the fight to begin- zing!
And then it looked like the sheriff would win- ah!
But not for long. Away they ran.
Just like rabbits. Who run a lot
As you can tell from the story of Peter Rabbit
Which this report is about...

Sally/Snoopy: Rabbits, rabbits, rabbits, rabbits, rabbits, chasing rabbits!

Charlie Brown: How do they expect us to write a book report? (Lucy: There were vegetables in the garden!)
Of any quality in just two days? (Such as carrots and spinach and onions and lettuce)
How can they conspire to make life so miserable? (And turnips and parsley and okra and cabbage)
And so effectively (And string beans and parsnips, tomatoes, potatoes, asparagus)
In so many ways? (Cauliflower, rhubarb and chives!)

Linus (continues lecturing): Not to mention the extreme pressure exterted on him but his deeply rooted rivalry with Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail!

(The following lines overlap over each other until Lucy finishes writing)
Schroeder:The name of the book about which
This book report is about is
Peter Rabbit,
Peter Rabbit!
All for one, every man does his part!
Ooooooooooooh!

Charlie Brown: If I start writing now when I'm not really rested
It could upset my thinking, which is no good at all
Not good at all.
Oh, first thing after dinner I'll staaaaaaaaart!

Linus: What drove an otherwise moral rabbit to perform acts of thievery?
Thievery!
Sociological implications
Fam'ly pressure.
Simple ploooooooooot!

Lucy: Peter Rabbit is this stupid book about this stupid rabbit,
Who steals vegetables from other peoples' gardens
Gardens. Gardens!
Seventy-five, Seventy-six, Seventy-seven, Seventy-eight
Seventy-nine, Eighty, Eighty-one, Eighty-two!

Sally/Snoopy: Rabbit chasing, Rabbit chasing, Rabbit chasing, Rabbit... Chasing! Chasing!
Rabbits, Rabbits, Chasing rabbits
Find a Rabbit, do or die!

Lucy (finishes writing): And they were very, very, very, very, very, very
Happy to be home

Schroeder: The end.
Lucy: (counting) Ninety-four, Ninety-five...
The very, very, very end!

Linus (finishes lecturing): A-men!

Charlie Brown: (starts writing) A book report on Peter Rabbit...

(The following lines overlap over each other, until they all sing together)
Charlie Brown: Just start writing. You can do it.
Nothing to it. Got to start-
Schroeder: Peter Rabbit was a lot like Robin Hood!
Peter Rabbit was a lot like Robin Hood!
Linus: Sociological implications joined with familial condemnations!
Lucy: Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit
Peter Rabbit!
Snoopy/Sally: Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!

All: Rabbits! Rabbits!
Rabbits! Rabbits!
Rabbits! Rabbits!
Rabbits!

Charlie Brown: I haven't even started yet!

All: Peter Rabbit!

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