Mars: 3. Spring upon the ice, Op. 15, No. 3 (Peter Bird)

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• CPDL #19632: Sibelius 5

Editor: Peter Bird (submitted 2009-06-13).   Score information: Letter, 21 pages, 223 kbytes   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Instrumental parts follow score in PDF.

General Information

Title: Mars: 3. Spring upon the ice, Op. 15, No. 3
Composer: Peter Bird

Number of voices: 6vv   Voicing: SATB.SB
Genre: Secular, Cantata

Language: English
Instruments: flute, piano, vibraphone or synthesizer. Voice parts .SB are solos.
Published: 2009

Description: length 7:45

External websites:

• Composer's website

Original text and translations

English text

[B:] Putting the MEM in automatic mode for EVA. [S:] Confirmed.
[S:] Pressure test is Go for both our suits. [B:] Confirmed.
[B:] Telemetry is Go. Are we ready? [S:] More than ready. Let's roll!
We have 10 minutes before Earth begins to interrupt.

[Chorus:] First sunrise of Spring upon the ice.
A million flowers of frost are diamond bright.
But in short minutes they sublime away,
As shimmering vapors mount unto the sky.

[B:] Houston: We have adequate visibility to complete the mission.
But there is bright mist everywhere.
And refraction makes it seem like the whole land is moving.
[S:] You did not mention the wind.
[B:] I didn't want them to order us back.
[S:] We've come so far!

[Chorus:] A cold wind rises as the vapors pour.
The ice awakes, and starts to groan and sing.

[S:] Let's shelter in the canyon. It may be quiet there.
[B:] We need to take some pictures, and check it for stratigraphy.

[Chorus:] A crack rings out upon the canyon floor, and water gushes from an icy spring.

[B/S:] Houston! We have liquid water, upon the surface!
[B:] It seems to be a temporary stream; it's soaking in, and freezing fast.
Quick, before it freezes up, I'll take a sample. We've come so far.
[S:] Water. I cannot believe our luck.
[B:] I really want to touch it; to dip my hand into the spring.
[S:] Stop; stop! You know it's death if you unlock your glove!
You cannot touch it with your hand.
[B:] So close, and yet so far!