|
5. The Crossing - Immence Ranges of High Mountains
|
|
| Credits |
| Lyric Credits: |
Diane Josephy Peavey (BMI) |
| Music Credits: |
David Alan Earnest (BMI) |
| Producer Credits: |
David Alan Earnest |
| Publisher Credits: |
David Alan Earnest (BMI) |
| Performance Credits: |
Caritas Chorale & Orchestra, Dick Brown conductor, Katherine Edison soprano, Rob Farnham baritone |
| Description |
Long Song Description:
The Boise premiere performance of the fifth movement of my chorus and orchestra piece "Immence Ranges of High Mountains". May 27, 2006, The 7 movement, 45 minute piece was commissioned by the Caritas Chorale of Sun Valley to commemorate the Lewis and Cl
|
Story Behind the Song:
Score and Parts available from the composer.
|
| Metadata |
Song Length:
| 13:05 |
Primary Genre:
| Classical-Contemporary |
Secondary Genre:
| - |
| Lyrics |
SACAJAWEA
Then began
the desperate days
the longest journey
through mountains and snows.
through steep country
we walked
we stumbled
then dragged ourselves
forward
always forward.
CHORUS
What nightmare is this?
First north, then west
We climb
through shale and rock,
over fallen timber,
along steep slopes.
Day after day
clinging to the ground
Hanging to life
Hungry,
There is no other food
but our weakest colts
poor offerings of the Shoshonis
and these only occasionally.
CLARK
In one day
eight miles across a mountain
without water
ascending, descending
our men and animals are exhausted.
Our horses slip, and
roll down steep hillsides
It snows all day
I write:
"I have been wet and as cold
in every part as I ever was in my life...
At one time fearful
my feet would freeze in the thin Mockersons
that I wore."
CHORUS
God save us,
We will die in this cold
Our clothes hang wet
icy on us.
We starve.
We thirst.
We stumble with each step.
We listen for signs
of life,
of animals,
of help
but hear only our heavy footsteps
our gasping breath.
We are lost,
We will die.
CLARK
With six hunters
I move ahead
Two days later to find two villages
Nez Perce.
They are found.
We are saved.
Although, at first afraid of us
we feel their fear
then persuaded by an old woman
Who long ago was saved
by the whtie man,
They help us,
Chief Twisted Hair
and others
soon friends.
They offer us
friendship,
food, safety,and hope.
NEZ PERCE
IN ISIX ETX PIHETUE WIT
(We offer freindship
TIMIIP IT NU NE
(Remember us)
CLARK
We eat their dried salmon
Camas root and are taken sick.
Yet we are hopeful.
Here on the river
Koos koos kee,
the Clearwater.
We can travel once again.
Dugout canoes
like these Nez Perce friends.
We will see the ocean yet. |
|
|
