|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weeping Mountains
Classical/Contemporary • 2009 • Lyricist: Rachel Oliver
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Instrumentation |
Piano, Mixed choir |
Scored for |
Accompanying piano, Choir |
Type of score |
Piano-vocal score |
Movement(s) |
0 to 0 from 1 |
Publisher |
Barbara Ulman |
Language |
English |
Difficulty |
Medium |
Duration |
3'50 |
For chorus and piano
Contemporary classical music for SATB chorus and piano. This would be a good piece for an Earth Day event -- or any other environmentally conscious event. In the winter of 1997, torrential rainstorms flooded much of Yosemite Valley and surroundings. Poet Rachel Oliver had to stay home during those storms, because of a washed out bridge. This piece describes the storm as Earth weeping because of poor treatment by humans.
WEEPING MOUNTAINS by Rachel Oliver
Her heart beats through a white-hot core, Charges creation’s pulse with life. Her blood fills oceans, lakes, and clouds, Carried by streams to her skin and bones. Her hair is the green of prairies and trees, Her skin the soil of mountain, sand of shore. Her bones are stones, opals, and gold.
Her children are creatures who stalk and creep, Sing, roar, feed, fight, mate, and sleep. One of these children would dominate all, Murder whatever he finds in his path. Earth trembles in protest, but still he proceeds To poison, multiply, ravage, spread.
In sorrow She weeps great tears of regret For allowing this being to despoil Majestic creation, beauty, life. She blows hot winds to melt ice and break clouds, Scours mountains, hillsides, streams; Floods valleys, canyons, towns, Pastures, levies, asphalt, barns. The arrogant creature, once mighty and proud Knows he’s puny and weak now But Just for a time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|