Paul Revere Rides Again

Five students are studying together for a test on Paul Revere. Their mounting complaints are interrupted by the magical arrival of Mr. History and his History Trunk. He distributes costume pieces and tells the students that history will be a lot more fun if they’ll just use their imaginations. He plops Revere’s hat on Carlos, who begins exhorting his fellow Sons of Liberty to take action against the British. Singing “Time Travellin,’”, Mr. History transports the students back in time.

They discover themselves inside Revere’s shop, April 18, 1775, awaiting the arrival of the British Colonel Smith, who has come to have his tooth removed. (Although we remember Revere chiefly for his riding skills, he was also a dentist, silversmith, engraver, printmaker, and father of eleven children!) The patriots are concerned that they do not know where the British plan to attack, or when. In a comical tug-of-war, Revere and his assistants struggle to yank the tooth, inflicting so much pain that Colonel Smith swears he’ll have his revenge “tomorrow in Lexington!” Revere has saved the day: they now have the vital information about British plans.

The students next find themselves inside Revere’s barn, listening to Revere’s horse, Revolution. Played a la vaudeville by two actors as the front and back ends of the horse, Revolution sings “You Gotta Give Credit Where Credit Is Due,” in which he complains that Revere gets all the credit while he does all the work. “He” then breaks into a soft-shoe dance, the two ends alternatively separating and joining as they tell a series of horse jokes. Talk about using your imaginations!

And then it is time to alert his countrymen to arm. With music, action, and, of course, imagination, the students re-enact the famous ride, at the end of which John Hancock congratulates Revere for his bravery—and Revolution points out again the injustice of having his crucial role overlooked.

Spinning back to the present, the kids are excited about what they have learned through using their imaginations, and beg Mr. History to come back to them soon—which, of course, he will!

SONGS: Time Travellin', You Gotta Give Credit Where Credit is Due