Romeo and Juliet Rap
David Lemper
Vanderbilt University
Abstract
This work retells the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet in the form of rap lyrics, merging Elizabethan literature with a contemporary mode of expression. I wrote and performed this work as part of my First-Year Writing Seminar about Shakespeare and music.
Romeo was walking around one night
He didn’t think anyone else was in sight
Suddenly, Juliet appears above
And just like that, he was smitten with love, he says
What’s that in the East that my eyes have met,
It looks like the sun? No wait it’s Juliet!
I want to talk to her but
I don’t want to cause a stir,
Her presence makes me nervous and I’m starting to sweat! What!
Juliet perches up above
Butterflies in her tummy cuz she so in love
At the ball she just kissed a mystery man
His name was Romeo and she was such a fan she says
Romeo Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo
Change your name and let’s run free
Nobody has to know
If you weren’t Montague
Then I wouldn’t be so blue
A Rose smells just as sweet even if you called it a piece of poo
Romeo hears this and keeps silent no more he says
“Juliet! I’ll take a new name for you mi amor”
Juliet is startled, and happy and scared she says
“Romeo be careful if you’re caught its death for sure”
Romeo don’t give a crap if he’s caught, (cuz)
Not being with Juliet is worse curse than the law
Romeo tells Juliet that they should link up yuh
Together they could be the hottest couple in Verona
“Aren’t we taking this too fast?” Juliet says
“It feels like lightning, gone in a flash”
“Nonsense Juliet, let’s not delay”
“Let’s exchange our vows of love the romantic way”
Juliet is smitten but the nurse is calling
She has to go inside and leave Romeo yawning
But first, she says she’ll send a messenger
Then they can arrange the marriage of him and her
And that’s the story of their balcony chat
Forbidden love ay, that’s where it’s at!
Romeo and Juliet, star-crossed lovers
Dangerous romance unlike any others
Scaffold: A Showcase of Vanderbilt First-Year Writing, Volume 6, Spring 2024
Scaffold is a digital collection of first-year writing curated by the Vanderbilt Writing Studio. To highlight the developing writing processes and learning experiences central to the growth of new college writers, the collection pairs each piece with a recorded reflection from its author. Visit Scaffold’s website to listen to the authors reflect, to learn more, and to tap into this collection as a resource for college students and instructors alike.
The copyright to this work rests with the author. Proper attribution required. Vanderbilt retains a non-exclusive right to distribute the work as part of this collection.