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01 Nez Perce: Promises - The Decision (mockup)
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| Credits |
| Lyric Credits: |
Diane Josephy Peavey |
| Music Credits: |
David Alan Earnest |
| Producer Credits: |
David Alan Earnest |
| Performance Credits: |
David Alan Earnest |
| Description |
Short Song Description:
The first movement of the in-progress chorus/string orch. piece for Caritas Chorale on the history of the Nez Perce. Premiere in July 2012
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| Metadata |
Song Length:
| 8:20 |
Primary Genre:
| Classical-Contemporary |
Secondary Genre:
| - |
Lead Vocal:
| Vocal Samples |
| Lyrics |
NARRATOR
It was about the land
It was always about the land
and its waters
for the Nimiipuu,
the Nez Perce,
their world
shaped
by the Creator -
the place
of Mother Earth
her creatures,
families
and home.
Throughout history
the Nimiipuu honored
the harmonies of the land
and were known
for treating strangers
"with loving kindness" * (footnote: Benjamin Bonneville)
THE DECISION
CHORUS
They stumbled,
half dead
into the country
of the Nez Perce
The first pale men
to stir
the order
of the universe.
The Nimiipuu
were cautious
curious.
They watched.
Then for a breathless
moment
life was suspended,
silent -
the day
airless -
as the Nez Perce thought
to kill
these weak intruders.
NARRATOR.
...to stop the story
that moment!
What history then?
CHORUS
But the decision
Was for life
when the pleas
of an old woman
Watkuweis (pronunciation)
spared from death
by white captors years ago
saved these strangers.
"Do them no hurt."
NARRATOR
Old woman, old woman
what exchange?
what kindness this?
What tip of history?
CHORUS
The Nimiipuu gave food,
shelter,
directions
to the confused men
for their journey
to the ocean west
and home again
but their Nez Perce words
were fastened
to mountain ridges
and river currents
a reminder
for those who passed
through the land.
IN ISIX ETX PIHETUE WIT
(We offer friendship - Nez Perce)
IN ISIX ETX PIHETUE WIT
THE CHANGE
NARRATOR
Then they were gone
White-skinned and black,
naive boy-men
Lewis and Clark and others
Disappeared
into the belly
of the morning sun
Without a backward glance
CHORUS
And the land was hushed
As it was
before they came.
But not the same
The earth was pressed
into new shapes
by their footsteps.
Still the Nimiipuu
With sleek horses
rode east
to hunt buffalo
as before.
But soon came
trappers for furs,
traders with trinkets
guns,
liquor
Life soured
as the air filled
with unfamiliar voices.
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