The Challenge is the first song of The Ithaca Saga during which Penelope creates a distraction for the Suitors as she holds out hope that her husband may return soon.
[PENELOPE]
I'm supposed to choose a suitor to wear the crown
I said I would choose as soon as I weave this shroud
They don't know
That every night
I unthread all the work I've done
Cause I'd rather lie
Than allow them to think they've won
Though I never thought I would resort to this
Just know I'll be here
But I don't know how much longer I'll last
Since we saw that storm
And though it was so close to our kingdom
It was far from the norm
Unless
Oh, could it be some kind of sign
That my world is all about to change?
Is it finally time for the challenge I arranged?
Though I never thought that it would come to this
Just know I'll be here buying you time
[THE SUITORS]
Time is fleeting, it's running out
Time to be the man of the house
[PENELOPE, THE SUITORS]
Oh! Buying you time (Penelope!)
[THE SUITORS]
Time is fleeting, it's running out
Time to be the man of the house
[PENELOPE]
Whoever can string my husband's old bow
And shoot through 12 axes cleanly
Will be the new king, sit down at the throne
And rule with me as their queen
Let the arrow fly
Once you know that your aim is true
Cause I'd rather die than grow old without the best of you
Though I never thought that these would be the lengths we'd go for love
I would not have it any other way
And though I never thought that it would end like this
Just know, I'll be here
Waiting, waiting
[SUITORS]
Penelope
[PENELOPE]
Waiting, waiting
[SUITORS]
Penelope
[PENELOPE]
Waiting, waiting
Oh!
Trivia[]
This song is written in Eb Major with a 4/4 time signature.
Jorge had 2 other drafts for the music before sticking with the music it currently has.
The entire draft of the song has been released on the EPIC seminar on March 19th, 2022.
The Suitor's chant is a reference to one of the many cut songs from the show, Man of the House.
The storm that Penelope references in the song references the storm that Odysseus released from the wind bag in Six Hundred Strike.
Animatics[]
We found 3 relevant animatics on the wiki:
Best of you - rough storyboard -
The challenge I EPIC- The musical I Animatic
Penelope - The Challenge - EPIC- The Musical ANIMATIC
