ark pv u - gwyneth walkerprogram notes the poems for "songs of noah and his animals" are...

Gwyneth Walker

Prayers from the ArkSongs of Noah and his animalsfor Vocal Quartet and Piano

Program Notes

The poems for "Songs of Noah and his animals" are taken from Prayers from the Ark by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold (translated by Rumer Godden). This collection was begun during the Second World War, at the time of the German occupation of France. After the war, the poet, in poor health, took refuge at the Benedictine Abbaye Saint Louis du Temple. It is here that the poems were completed and published.

These are short sacred texts, perhaps best described as lamentations, celebrations, self-portraits and offerings. Each creature has a unique voice and a unique request in prayer: a worm for the bird, water for the ducks, a saucer of milk for the cat. Noah's request is the most general – less noise from the animals!

The musical setting takes the form of a mini-opera, with ten short scenes. Each creature (solo voice, or, occasionally an ensemble) takes center stage to present a message. The music is often in free meter, in recitative style. The more established rhythmical sections are created to allow the animals to dance!

The poems selected for these songs were chosen for their charm, humor, wit and sincerity. The variety of expression from one creature to the next is appealing for dramatic presentation. Yet, the underlying spirit of prayer unites the individual scenes. As Noah releases the dove as a gesture of hope, so too do all of the creatures lift up their prayers for salvation. Amen!

Duration: 23 minutes

Performance Notes

The singers should be prepared to move and act, as specified in the score. Singers who are not comfortable acting (portraying animals) or moving on the stage would not be well-suited to this dramatic work. The staging instructions are carefully notated within the musical score. Therefore, a Stage Director is not necessary for a performance of this work.

The Scenes

1. Noah’s Prayer

2. Prayer of the Dog

3. Prayer of the Little Bird

4. Prayer of the Little Ducks 5. Prayer of the Donkey 6. Prayer of the Butterfly

7. Prayer of the Cat

8. Prayer of the Elephant

9. Prayer of the Dove

10. recap: Noah’s Prayer

Costumes and Props

Baritone: portraying Noah, Donkey (1/2) and Elephant (1/4)gray outfit (suit or warm-ups)a brown robe over the outfit for Noah, ears for Donkey, a tail for the Elephant (!)

props: a bucket (for bailing the Ark), an oar (for paddling), umbrella,a small white dove (stuffed animal) which may rest on the piano (Ark) until released into flight________________

Tenor: portraying a Dog, Donkey (1/2) and Elephant (1/4)gray outfit (suit or warm-ups) for Donkey and Elephant, ears for Donkeya brown-and-white (or similar) "doggie sweater" for Dog (optional tail = belt, doggie ears)white scarf/kerchief (for Dove)

props: a large rubber doggie bone_______________

Alto: portraying Duck, Cat, Elephant (1/4) and Dovegray outfit (warm-ups) for Elephantyellow rain slicker, rain hat and rain boots (for Duck)tail (for Cat)white scarf/kerchief (for Dove)

props: saucer of milk______________

Soprano: portraying Little Bird, Duck, Butterfly, Elephant (1/4)gray outfit (warm-up suit) for ElephantBird – feathersyellow rain slicker, rain hat and rain boots (for Duck)light-colored cape or shawl (for Butterfly)white scarf/kerchief (for Dove)

Stage Design

To the side of the stage is something resembling an Ark. The piano might be transformed into an Ark, with a pseudo-mast protruding. On the other side of the stage can be a tree (fake or real). Near the end of the play, the characters portray a Dove and reach over to take a twig from the tree.

&

?Piano

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘wwww# wwf

with pedal

repeat ad lib. in various ranges

general noise

&

?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘œœ# ^ œœ^

Jœœ^

œœ#v

œœv

jœœv

repeat ad lib. in various ranges

an “insistent” bird

&

?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘

√

◊

÷�� ÷��÷�� ÷��

wwwU

ww

U

>

repeat up and down the keyboard

“hee-haw” donkey soundsblack-note clusters

NOAH (Baritone) rushes onto the stage, trying to escape the noisy animals!

÷ ÷ ÷÷

Copyright © 2011 by Gwyneth Walker273 Brainstorm Road, Braintree, Vermont

www.gwynethwalker.com All rights reserved.

Prayers from the Arkfor SATB Soli and Piano

Introduction (animal sounds)

Gwyneth WalkerCarmen Bernos de GasztoldRumer Godden, trans.

[Singers off stage]A raucous “symphony” of animal noises (vocal sounds) is produced by the singers (animals) ad libitum.This includes “caw-caw” (RAVEN), “woof” (DOG), “peep-peep” (BIRD), “hee-haw” (DONKEY), and anyother animal sounds which come to mind. Footstomps (as heavy animals moving in the Ark) may be added. These sounds start before the piano begins to play, and continue during the playing.

Selections from Prayers from the Ark are used with permission of Curtis Brown Group Ltd.

(circa 30”)

(circa 45”)

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# #

# #

# #

Noah

°

œ> Œ œ œ œ3

Lord, what a men

Œœœœ^

Œ

Œ œœv

Œf

f distressed!

Slowly, dramaticallyas a recitative

Slowly, dramaticallyas a recitative

œ> œ œ Jœ ‰ ‰ Jœ œ œ3

a ger ie! Be tween your

Œœœœœ œœ

˙˙˙˙˙(noisy)

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

down pour and these an i mal

∑

∑

- - - - - - -

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&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

Ÿ~~~~~

° °

4 œ> œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ Jœ ‰cries

Ó˙ ˙˙ ˙

(Optional “caws” may be added from off stage)´

œ> œ œ œ œ œ ‰ Jœ ŒU3

3

one can not hear one self think!

..˙˙Jœœ .

‰U..˙˙

p

rit.

rit.

∑

∑

œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

a tempo q = 66

a tempo q = 66

bailing out the Ark!

p lifelessly, tired

- -

?

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

(°)

√

7

‰ jœ œ œ œ œThe days are long, Lord.

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

F tired, discouraged ,rit.

rit.

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ# œ ˙

All this wa ter makes my heart sink.

Ó Óœœœ

#

˙ .˙

Slowly

Slowly

-

2

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 1. Noah’s Prayer

1. Noah’s Prayer*

*This first scene is notated without time signatures, in keeping with the generally recitative nature of the music. The full score (string quartet version) does have time signatures inserted.

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&

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# #

# #

# #

Noah

°

9œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

When will the ground cease to rock un der my

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

feet?

Óœœœ œ œœœ œ œœœ œ œœœ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

(dizzy)

p

-

?

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

° °

11

‰ Jœn > œ> œ> ˙n >

The days are long.

wwwwww

nnngggggg

Óœ œn œ œ

f

f

∑

œn œ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œ œ œœ œœ œœn œœ œœ œœ

wwnn

?

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

°

√

13.œ œ œ œ œ œ Jœ œ ‰

Mas ter Ra ven has not come back.

‰ œœ˙˙

jœœœ˙

˙nn

Jœœ

‰ œœp

F cantabile œ œ œ ˙ ‰ œ œ

Here is your dove. Will she

˙ œœœœœœœœ œœœœ

œœggggœœgggg œœgggg

˙

holds dove

- -

?

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

(°) °

(√)

15 œ œ œ œ œ ˙

find us a twig of hope?

wwwwww

,

,

‰ Jœ œ œ œ ˙

The days are long, Lord.

wwwwwwwgggggg

F

,

loco

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œ œœœ œ œœœ œ œœœ œÓ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3


?

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

°

18

.œ œ œ œ Jœ œ Jœ

Guide your Ark to safe ty, some

˙˙ggggggggggggg

˙˙ggggggggggggg˙ ˙

˙

,œ œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ

zen ith of rest, where we can es

˙˙ Jœœœ ‰ Œ

˙˙ J

œœ ‰ Œ

- - -

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&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

°

20 œ œ œ œ œ> œ> œ> œ œ œ3

cape at last from this brute sla ver y.

Ó Œ ŒJœœœv

jœœœœ^

frit.

rit.

f

Slowly,emphatically

Slowly, emphatically

‰ Jœ> œ> œ> œ> œ>

U


wwwwwww

>ggggggggg

U

, ,

- -

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&

?

# #

# #

# #

Noah

(°) ° ° °

22œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

Lead me un til I reach the shore of Your

∑

‰

œ œ œ .˙3

cov en ant.

Óœœœœ œœœœ œœœœ œœœœ

3

∑

p

p

˙ Jœ ‰ Œ

œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ œœœœœ3 3

Ó ˙

poco accel.

poco accel.

- - -

&

?

# #

# #(°)

25œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

w œ œ œ œ

Slightly faster

∑

‰ œœ œœ ‰jœœ ‰

jœœœ ‰jœœœœ

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰Jœ

‰

bailing out the Ark in time to the music

‰ jœœœ‰ jœœœ

‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœJœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ J

œœ‰

∑

rit. U

4


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&

?

# #

# #

# #

nn

nn

nn

Noah

√

28

.œ œ .œ œ ˙A men.

Ó Œœœœœggg

w( )

p(only if needed)

pSlowly

Slowly

.œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

A men.

∑

∑

wU

œœœœgggg

œœœœgggg˙˙˙˙gggg

U

œœœœ ˙˙

u

Hands held up(as if releasing a dove into flight)

[NOAH remains on stage]

2’15”short pause

- - - - - - -

&

?

œœ œ œœ œjœœ ‰ Ó

∑F

[“wagging tail” motive]At a frisky tempo q = 100

DOG (Tenor) comes on stage carrying a (rubber) doggie bone in his mouth.He wags his tail.

œœ œ œœ œ Jœœ

‰ Ó

∑

œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ

∑

V

&

?

Dog

° °

4

∑

œœœœ œœœœ œœœ œœœ ˙˙˙˙ ˙˙˙œœœgggg œœœgggg œœgggg œœgggg

[“patting dog on head” motive]

rit.

rit.

NOAH pats DOG on head

œ Jœ ‰ œ œLord, I keep

Œ ˙˙˙

Œ ˙˙˙

[paws]

Fq = 72 recitativo style

q = 72 recitativo style

˙ ‰ Jœwatch! If

Œ œœœœœœ œœœ

œœœ l.v.

V

&

?

Dog

(°) °

7

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

I am not here who will guard their

.˙#

house?

Œ ˙˙#

‰ Jœ˙

l.v.

‰ Jœ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

Watch o ver their sheep? Be-

5

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 2. The Prayer of the Dog

2. The Prayer of the Dog

V

&

?

Dog

◊°

10 œ# .˙

faith ful?

Ó œœœœ#ggggggggggggggggg

œœœœ#ggg

Ó ˙˙

‰ Jœ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙3

No one but you and I un der stand what faith ful ness is.

WWWW

WW

f

f

- - - - -

V

&

?

Dog

12

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó


∑

Morequickly

Morequickly

rit.

rit.

‰ Jœ œ œ œ- - Œ ˙ ˙They call me “Good dog! Nice dog!”

....˙˙˙˙ggg Œœœœ œœœ œœœ Œ Œ œœœœœggg...

˙˙˙

Ó Œ.....˙˙˙˙˙ggggggg...

˙˙

a tempo (q = 72)

a tempo (q = 72)

F

FÓ

oU

Words...

˙˙ ˙ÓU

p

l.v.

pfalsetto

DOG looks at NOAH

~~~~~

V

&

?

Dog

° °

15

‰ Jœ œ œ œ œ œ

I take their pats and the

wwwwgggggggggwwwb

FSlightly faster q = 88

Slightly faster q = 88

l.v.

œ œ œ œ œold bones they throw me

jœ ‰ œ œ œand I seem

˙ ˙U

pleased.

œœ œ œ œn œ œ œU

[look down]

[look up]

V

&

?

Dog

19

WU œ. œ. Œ ŒU œ œ œ Œ œ ŒThey really believe they make me hap py I take kicks too

∑U Œœœ . œœ .

ŒU Œ Œ œœœœb^

Œœœœœb ^

∑U Œ œb ^Œ

œb v

[as an aside] f

f

-

6


V

&

?

Dog

°

WU

when they come my way.

∑

∑U

U

F(19)

œ œ œ œ œ œ Œ3

None of this mat ters.

Ó ˙˙˙˙˙˙

∑F

Original tempo (q = 72)


œ œ ˙

I keep watch!

...˙˙˙...˙˙˙

∑f

, œ œ œ œ œLord, do not let me

∑

∑

f heroically

-

V

&

?

Dog

°

23 .˙‰ Jœ

die un

Ó˙˙˙˙˙>

˙˙˙˙˙>

Œ ..

˙˙b

b>

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

til, for them, all dan ger is driv en a way.

w


∑

p

F

Faster q = 100

Faster q = 100

DOG patrols the stage

- - - -

V

&

?

Dog

° °

26

∑

œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ œœ œ

∑

∑

œœœœ œœœ Jœœœœ .

‰œœœœ œœœ J

œœœœ .‰

∑

wwww www

p

rit.

rit.

Kneeling front and center, he wags his tail.

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙A men.

Ó Œ œœœœ‰ Jœ œ

F

Fq = 72

q = 72

- - -

7


V

&

?

#

#

#

Dog

√

30œ œ œ œ œo œo

A men. A men.

Œ��÷�� ÷��

Ó��÷�� ÷��

∑

NOAH pats DOGʼs head

,

´´

´ ´

white-note clusters

(lovingly patting the keys [Dog] )

P p

P

w


∑

Faster

Faster

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

Jœœœ. ‰ J

œœœ. ‰ Œ Jœœœ. ‰

Ó Œ J–

‰LH tap piano(as a gentle pat)

p

rit.

rit.

DOG looks up atNOAH obediently


´- -

&

?

#

#

∑

jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰F

a tempo q = 100

NOAH walks off stage, followed obediently by a trotting DOG.

∑

jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰ jœ ‰

œœ œ œœ œjœœ

‰ Ó


&

?

#

#

4

œœœ œ œœœ œjœœœ

‰ Ó


œœœ � œœœ �jœœœ

jœœœjœœœ

� œ � œ Jœ Jœ Jœjœœœ

jœœœjœœœ

jœœœJœ Jœ Jœ Jœ

&

?

#

#

# # # #

# # # #

7 œœœœ# . œœœœ.

Jœœœœ.

‰ Ó

∑

œœœœ# . œœœœ.

Jœœœœ.

‰ Ó

∑

Jœœ# .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰

∑

BIRD comes on stage, hopping.

pJœœ# .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰

∑20”

attacca

8


Interlude 1

&

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# # # #

# # # #° °

œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

œœ

œœ

p

Lightly q = 100as a small bird hopping on the ground

A small BIRD (Soprano) is hopping about while looking for seeds (or worms!).

œ œ œ œ œ# œ œ jœ.

‰ jœ.

‰œ œ œ œ

œœ

œœ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

œœ

œœ

wings flapping

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

4 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6 6 6 6

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6 6 6 6cresc.

œœ.

œœ.

œœ.

≈ Œ œœ.

œœ.

œœ.

≈ ŒŒ J

œœ.

‰ Œ Jœœ.

‰P

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

6

Ó Œ œDear

jœœ.

‰ jœœ.

‰ jœœ.

‰Œ‰ J

œœ.

‰ Jœœ.

‰ Jœœ.

poco rit.

poco rit.

p (light voice)

p

˙ ‰ jœ œ œ œ œGod, I don’t know how to

œ œ œ# œ œ ‰jœœœœ

.

Œœ œ œ œJœ.

‰

Slightly slowerat a comfortable recitative tempoSlightly slowerat a comfortable recitative tempo

Slightly slower

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

8œ œ œ Jœ ‰ œ. œ. œ.

ŒU

pray by my self ver y well,

Ó Œ

jœœJœœ.

.

‰U

‰ jœ œ œ œ œbut will You please pro

∑

∑

With motion q = 72

With motion q = 72

- - -

9

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 3. The Prayer of the Little Bird

3. The Prayer of the Little Bird

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

° ° ° °

10

œ œ œ œ .œ# jœtect my lit tle nest from

œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œœ# œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ6 6 6 6

espr.œ œ œ ˙#

wind and rain?

œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ œ

œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

6 6 6

6

-

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

12

‰ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ# œ œ œ œPut a great deal of dew on the flow’rs, man y

œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ

-

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

13

œ# œ œ# ˙seeds in my way.

œ œ œœ# œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ œœ œ# œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ

6 6 6 6

cresc.

rit.

rit.

Œ œ# œ œ# œ œMake your blue ver y

wwww##

ww

F

FSlowermore reflectively

Slowermore reflectively

-

10


&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

° °

√

15 ˙ JœU

Jœ# œ œ

high, Your branch es

‰ jœ# œ œœœ#

˙˙##

U

ww

Uf

, Ffrit.

rit.

œ œ# œ Œ œ œlis som; let Your

Ó˙# ˙

∑ &

pq = 72

q = 72

π barely audible

œ# œN œ œ œ œ œ3

kind light stay late in the sky

w# w

w w

- -

&

&

&

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

(√)

° ° °

18

œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

and set my heart brim ming with such mu sic that I must

˙# ˙Ó Ó

˙˙ œn

œ˙ ˙ Ó?

Frit.

rit.

Fl.v.

jœ Jœ.

‰jœ Jœ

.‰

jœ Jœ.

‰ Œ

sing, sing, sing...

‰

jœœœ.

‰

jœœœ.

Œœ œ

Jœœ. J

œœ.

œ œ

p

- -

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

°(°)

20 wŸ

sing–

w ww w

Œ œ˙

Please, Lord.

‰ ...œœœ>

˙˙˙...œœœ>

˙˙˙

ww>

f

f imploring ,

,

∑

œ œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

œœ

œœ



BIRD resumes hopping about looking for seeds.

p

~~~~~~

11


&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

23

∑

œ œ œ œ œ# œ œ jœ.

‰ jœ.

‰œ œ œ œ

œœ

œœ

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6 6 6 6

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6 6 6 6cresc.

wings flapping

&

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

Bird

¤€

25

∑

œœ.

œœ.

œœ.

≈ Œ œœ.

œœ.

œœ.

≈ ŒŒ J

œœ.

‰ Œ Jœœ.

‰P

jœ.‰ Jœ

. ‰ Jœ. ‰ Jœ

.‰

A A A A

∑

∑

Prit.

rit.

Œ œ. œ. ÓA men.

Ó Œ Jœœœ# .

‰

∑

p

π


BIRD holds up a nice seed or worm!

´- - - - -

12


&

?

# # # #

# # # #

Jœœ# .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰

∑p

a tempo q = 100

BIRD hops off stage. [change into DUCK costume for next scene]

Jœœ# .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰

∑

Jœœ# .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰

∑

Jœœ# .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰ Jœœ .

‰

∑

?

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

45

45

45

Noah

°°

5

∑

œœœœœ#ggg œœœœœ#gggÓ

Ó œœœœœ#ggg œœœœœ#ggg

(gentle downward arppegios)as a cascade of rain

∑

∑

ww

NOAH re-enters carrying an umbrella.He is discouraged.

(p)

U

U‰ jœ œ œn œ œ


∑

ww

F ,

p

Slowly

Slowly

?

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

# # # #

45

45

45

44

44

44

Noah

(°)

8

‰ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙

All this wa ter makes my heart sink.

∑

˙˙

.˙.˙

∑

‰ œœœ# œœœ ‰ jœœœ ‰jœœœ ‰ jœœœJœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ# ‰

Slightly faster

Slightly faster

F

NOAH bails out the Ark.

-

&

?

# # # #

# # # #

nn# #

nn# #

44

44

°

10 ‰ œœœ# œœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœœ‰ jœœJœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ# ‰

rit.

ww

wwww# l.v. to start of next sceneU

He gives up and shakes his head in frustration.

wwww#gggU [“wringing out” chord]

He wrings out a corner of his robe, which is soaked.Then he leaves the stage.

45”

13

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 4. The Prayer of the Little Ducks

Interlude 2

&

?

# #

# #

44

44

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ‰ jœœœn

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰F

Bouncy tempo q = 120suitable for jumping in puddles

DUCK 1 (Soprano) and DUCK 2 (Alto) enter arm in arm, dressed in yellow rain slickers (see costumes listing). They walk lightly, or dance, in time to the music. [Dance when not singing]

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ

œ œn œ ‰ jœœ‰ jœœ


Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

4

∑

Ó Œ œDear

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ


FDUCK 2

Ó Œ œDear

.˙ ŒGod,

‰ jœœœn‰ jœœœ


Jœœn ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

FDUCK 1

wGod,

∑

‰ jœœœœn‰ jœœœœ

‰ jœœœœ‰ jœœœœ

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œgive us a flood

‰ jœœœn‰ jœœœ


Jœœn ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

°

8

∑

.œJœ

œ œof wa ter,

‰ jœœœœn‰ jœœœœ

‰ jœœœœ‰ jœœœœ

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

œ .˙wa ter,

˙ œ œwa ter,

‰ Jœœœ

‰ Jœœœ ‰ J

œœœ‰ J

œœœ

œœœ œ

œœ œœœ œ

œœ

œ .˙wa ter,

˙ œ œwa ter,

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

œœœ œ

œœ œœœ œ

œœ

- -

- - -

14


4. The Prayer of the Little Ducks

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

11 œ œ œ œ œ œ Ó3

wa...

˙ œ œ œ œ œ œ3

wa...

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœœ œœ œœ œœ

‰ jœ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.la la la la la la la


‰jœœœ ‰

jœœœ ‰jœœœœ ‰

jœœœœJœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰ J

œœ ‰ Jœœ ‰

p

‰ jœ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.wa wa wa wa wa wa wa

‰ jœ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.wa wa wa wa wa wa wa

‰ Jœœœ ‰ J

œœœ ‰ Jœœœœ ‰ J

œœœœ

Jœœœ ‰ J

œœœ ‰ Jœœœn

‰ Jœœœ ‰

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

°

14

Ó œ œwa ter

Ó œ œwa ter

‰ œœœjœœœ ˙

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

F

F

F

∑

∑

Jœœ.

‰ Jœœ. ‰ J

œœ. ‰Jœœ. ‰


The DUCKS dance.

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ œ œ

Œ

∑

∑

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ


jœ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰

-

-

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

18

Ó Œ œ œLet it

Ó Œ œ œLet it

‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœ

Jœ ‰ Jœœ ‰ J

œœ ‰ Jœœ ‰

.œ Jœ œ œ œrain to mor row and

.œ jœ œ œ œrain to mor row and

‰ jœœœœ ‰ jœœœœ ‰ jœœœœ ‰ jœœœœ

Jœœn ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

Jœœ ‰

œ .˙al ways,

œ .˙al ways,

‰ jœœœœ ‰ jœœœœ ‰ jœœœœ Œ

Jœœ ‰ J

œœ ‰ Jœœ ‰ J

œœ ‰

Ó œ. œ.al ways,

Ó œ. œ.al ways,

œœœ. œœœ

.Ó

∑p

p

p- - - -

- - - -

15


&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

22

Ó œ œ

al ways.

Ó œ œv

al ways.

œœœ^

œœœ^

Óœv

œv

f

f

f

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ. œ œ œ œ œ.

∑

More dancing

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ. œ. œ. œn . œ.∑

∑

∑

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ

jœ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ œ

œ œn œ

-

-

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

26

∑

Ó Œ œ œGive us

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ


F

F

poco rit.

poco rit.

∑

œ œ œ œ. œ.3

plen ty of lit tle

wwwwn

Slightly slower

Slightly slower

Ó Œ œand

.˙ Œslugs,

œœœœ . œœn .

Œ

œœ Œ Ó

Fœ œ œ œ œ œ

oth er lus cious things to

∑

∑

∑

- -

- -

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

°

30œ œ œ œ ˙

eat.

∑

Ó˙ ˙

∑

p f

p

joyfully

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œÓ œ œf

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œnœ œœ œ

accel.

accel.

The DUCKS drop (imaginary) slugsdown their throats.

16


&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

nn

nn

nn

nn

46

46

46

46

44

44

44

44

Dk 1

Dk 2

33

∑

∑

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ


jœ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰

a tempo (q = 120)

a tempo (q = 120)

∑

∑

‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœ ‰ jœœœ

Jœœ ‰ J

œœ ‰ Jœœ ‰ J

œœ ‰

rit.

rit.

∑

Œ œ œ œN œ œPro tect all folk who

....wwwwNgggggggggggggg

...www

Freely, slowerrecitative style

Freely, slowerrecitative style

F

F

-

&

&

&

?

44

44

44

44

Dk 1

Dk 2

√

36

Ó ŒU œ

and

œ Œ ŒU Œquack

œœœœ

œœœ. ŒU Œ

œœœ Œ ŒU Œ

F œ œN œ œ œ jœ ‰ jœ ‰3

ev ’ry one who knows how to

∑

wwwwgggggggggggggwww


swim.

∑

wwwwwww

p

- -

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

39˙ Jœ ‰ Œ

∑

œ œ œ œ œœ œ œœ œ

œb œ œœ

œœ

f

p

accel.

accel.

with pedal

∑

∑

‰ jœœœa .‰ jœœœ.

‰ jœœœœ.‰ jœœœœ.

Jœœ.

‰ Jœœ.

‰ Jœœ. ‰ J

œœ. ‰f

a tempo (q = 120)

a tempo (q = 120)

More dancing


‰ jœa . œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.la la la la la la la

‰jœœœ

.‰

jœœœ

.‰

jœœœœ

.‰

jœœœœ

.

Jœœ.

‰Jœœ.

‰ Jœœ.

‰ Jœœ.

‰

p

p

p

celebratory

celebratory

17


&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

42

‰ Jœ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.

wa wa wa wa wa wa wa

‰ jœ. œ. œ. œn . œ. œ. œ.

wa wa wa wa wa wa wa

‰jœœœ

.‰

jœœœ

.‰

jœœœn.

‰jœœœ

.

Jœœ.

‰Jœœ.

‰ Jœœn

.‰ J

œœ.

‰

p cresc.

p

p

œJœ ‰ œ

Jœ ‰A A

œJœ ‰ œ

Jœ ‰A A

wwwwwwwggggggg

f

f

f

œ.œ.

œ. œ. œ œ

A men.

œ. œ.œ. œ. œ œ

A men.

jœœœœ ‰ Œ ÓJœœœ

- - - - - - - -

- - - - - - - -

&

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# #

Dk 1

Dk 2

◊

45 w

w

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

Jœ ‰ Œ ÓU

Jœ ‰ Œ ÓU

œ œ œ œœ œ œ œ

ÓU

Ó œv œv

‰Ujœv

rit.

rit.

The DUCKS join hands and jump in a puddle of water. (both feet)......

´

´U

U

U

1’40”

18


&

?

# #

# #

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ œœ œn œ

a tempo (q = 120)

F

The DUCKS exit the stage, hand in hand, dancing gleefully.

‰ jœœ‰ jœœ

‰ jœœ


œ œn œ ‰ jœœ ‰ jœœ ‰ jœœ


œ œ œn

&

?

# #

# #

nn

nn

44

44

4 ‰ jœœ‰ jœœ Œ

jœœ ‰

Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Jœ ‰ Œp

10”short pause

19

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 5. The Prayer of the Donkey

During the pause, a few “hee-haws” (vocal sounds) come from off stage, ad libitum.These sounds introduce the next scene. [10”]

&

?

44

44

°◊

°

��÷��

^��÷��

^

Ó��÷��v

��÷��v

÷ ÷

“hee-haw, hee-haw”black note clusters

white-noteclusters

f

Baritone and Tenor come on stage dressed in gray DONKEY outfits. They walk in tandem, with the Baritone leading, and the Tenor, bent at the waist, following (as the back of the DONKEY). Tenor stands and faces audience when singing, then returns to bent position. Heads nod up and down with "braying" patterns, ad lib.

Tempo ad lib.

��÷�

^��÷�

^

Ó��÷��v

��÷��v

÷ ÷ ��÷��

^��÷��

^Ó��÷��

v

��÷��v

÷ ÷ �÷��÷�� ˙

˙

÷

V

?

&

?

44

44

44

44

Dky 1

Dky 2

(°) °

5

∑

WO God, who made me to trudge along the road

F sung with exhaustion

∑

œ .˙al ways,

˙ ˙al ways,

∑

wwwbbb wb

˙ ˙n

F[down][up]

Both singers Nodsung withexhaustion

-

-

V

?

&

?

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

44

Dky 1

Dky 2

° ° °

8

∑

Œ Wto carry heavy loads

∑

WW

∑

œ# .˙al ways,

∑

ww

˙# ˙al ways,

∑

wwwbbb wb

˙# ˙n

[up] [down]Nod again

∑

Œ W

and to be beaten

∑

WWW

∑

œ> .˙

al ways!

∑

www

f-

- -

20


5. The Prayer of the Donkey

V

?

&

?

Dky 1

Dky 2

°°

13 >˙>

al ways!

∑

wwwbbb wb

˙ ˙n

[up] [down]Nod at each other

f∑

œ œ œJœ œ

Jœ

Give me great cour age and

wwwwnnnggggggggggggggggww

bravely

f l.v.

, p

∑

œ œ .˙

gen tle ness.

∑

∑

��÷��÷�

��÷��÷��÷��

��÷��

��÷��÷��p

÷ ÷ ÷÷black-notes

white-notes

-

- - -

V

?

&

?

45

45

45

45

44

44

44

44

Dky 1

Dky 2

°

17

∑


One day let some bod y un der

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

3

3 33

F cantabile

F

∑

œ œ ‰ Jœ œ œ œ œ œ3

stand me– that I may no long er

.˙ .˙ ˙ ˙

œ œ œ w w

3

- - - - -

V

?

&

?

44

44

44

44

Dky 1

Dky 2

(°)

√

19

Ó Œ ‰ Jœ

beœ œ œ Jœ ‰

want to weep

˙ ˙ Œœœœœggg

˙ ˙ Ó

F

l.v.


cause I can ne ver say what I

∑

œ. œ. œ. œ. ˙

m m m m mean

∑

Ó Œœœ

p

[stammers]

- - - - - -

21


V

?

&

?

Dky 1

Dky 2

◊

22

‰ Jœ œ œ œ> œ œ Jœ ‰3

and they make fun of me.

∑

∑

Ó Œ jœv

‰ &

f

,f .œJœ# œ œ œ œ

Let me find a jui cy

∑

œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ5 5 5 5

w w

impassioned

loco

-

V

?

&

&

45

45

45

45

44

44

44

44

Dky 1

Dky 2

√

°

24

œ œ .˙this tle –

∑

œ œ# œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ5 5 5 5

Œ œœ œœ œœwwwggg

‰ Jœ œ œ œ œ .œJœ

and make them give me time to

∑

∑

∑

F

-

V

?

&

&

44

44

44

44

48

48

48

48

46

46

46

46

Dky 1

Dky 2

26œ. œ. ŒU

œpick it. And,

∑

∑

∑ ?

U

U

U

w

Lord,

Œ œ ˙

And, Lord,

wwwwggggggggggggwww

F

F

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œone day let me find a gain my lit tle

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œone day, let me find a gain my lit tle

WWWWWWW

- -

- -

22


V

?

&

?

46

46

46

46

44

44

44

44

Dky 1

Dky 2

29

œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙U

broth er of the Christ mas crib.

œ œ œ œ œ œ U

broth er of the Christ mas crib.

jœœœœ‰ Œ Ó ÓU

jœœœ ‰ Œ Ó ÓU

rit.

rit.

∑

∑

œœœ œ œœœ jœ ‰ œœœ œ œœœ jœ ‰3 3

∑p

Quickly

Quickly

∑

∑

œœœ# œ œœœJœ ‰

˙˙ ˙3

∑f

- -

- -

V

?

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

22

22

22

22

Dky 1

Dky 2

32 œ# ^œ Ó

A men.

œ œ ÓA men.

∑

∑

f roughly, as a “hee-haw”

f roughly, as a “hee-haw”

[up] [down]

[down][up]

Nod heads

∑

∑

œœœ#^

œœœ^

Óœœœv

œœœv

DONKEY exits the stage, heads nodding up and down.

f

A bit faster (like the opening)

A bit faster (like the opening)

∑

∑

œœœ#^

œœœ^

Óœœv

œœv

∑

∑

��÷��

^��÷��

^��÷��

^��÷��

^

��÷��v

��÷��v

��÷��v

��÷��v

&

rit.

rit.


÷ ÷ ÷ ÷

black-notes

white-notes

-

-

23


&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb

22

22°

œ œ œJœ ‰ Ó

3

∑p lighly, as a butterfly

Lightly h = 72as a butterfly in flight

BUTTERFLY (Soprano) darts back and forth across the stage. She is entirely distracted, and does not know where she is!

∑

œ œ œ Jœ ‰ Ó3

œ œ œJœ ‰ Ó

3

∑

∑

œ œ œ Jœ ‰ Ó3


6 6

∑

&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb(°)

6 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

6 6

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6 6


6 6


F


6 6


&

&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

(°)

9

˙ Œ œ.

Lord! Where


6 6


p

F œ. œ. Ówas I?


6 6


Œ œ. œ. ŒOh yes!


6 6


p

&

&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

(°)

12

Ó Œ œThis


6 6


F excited .œJœ

œ Jœ ‰flow’r, this sun,


6 6


œ .˙thank You!


6 6


24

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 6. The Prayer of the Butterfly

6. The Prayer of the Butterfly

&

&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

(°) °

15

Œ œ œ œ

Your world is


6 6


poco rit.

poco rit.

cresc.

.˙ œ

beau ti

wwwwb

wwww

f

f

Slightly slower

Slightly slower

w

ful!

wwwwb

wwwwl.v.

- - -

&

&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

(°)

√

18

Œ œ œ œ

This scent of

p as a remembranceSlower

Slower

˙ ˙

ros es...

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6

6

∑p

a tempo (h = 72)

a tempo (h = 72)

BUTTERFLY enjoys the scent of roses.

∑

œ œ œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ6

6

∑ ?

loco

-

&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

23

23

23

22

22

22

Bfly

√

°

22

Ó ≠Where was I?

Œ œœœœb .ÓU

Œ œ. ÓU

recited on pitchShe realizes that she is lost.

Œ œ œ œ ˙A drop of dew

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

∑

F espr.a tempo

a tempo

another distraction...

(p)

&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

22

22

22

Bfly

(√)

(°)

24.œ Jœ

œ œ œ œ

rolls to spar kle in a


∑

œ œ œ ˙3

lil y’s heart.


∑

Œ .≠I have to go...

∑œœœb .

Œ ÓU

U

...again realizesthat she is lost.

recited on pitch ,

- -

25


&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

√

27

œ ‰ jœ œ œWhere? I do not

∑

∑

w

know!

Œ œœœœœggg

œœœœœgggœœœœœggg

∑

∑


œ œ6 6

F

loco

She darts around the stage.

&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

° °

30

Ó Œ œ

The

œ œ œ


œ œ6 6

F enrapturedœ œ œ œ

wind has paint ed


œ œ6 6

œ œ œ œfan cies on my

Œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ


6simile

- -

&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

33

wwings.


œ œ6 6

œ Œ œ œ œ œ

Fan

Œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ


6

œ. .˙

cies...

Ó œ œ œ œ


6

- - - -

&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

Bfly

36

Ó œ œ œ œ

Ah

œ. .˙


6



œ œ6 6

œ. œ. œ. œ. ˙U

˙

œ œ œ

œ œ œ ˙U

6

rit.

rit.

26


&

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

22

22

22

Bfly

√

39

Œ œ. œ. œ. ŒU œ. œ. Œ W œ œ Œ Œ ŒWhere was I? Oh yes! Lord, I had something to tell you:

∑U œœœœœgggg

œœœœœggggœœœœœgggg

∑U

recited on pitch

lost againFree measure

Free measure

she forgets anddarts off again.

p

[thoughts]

&

?

bbbbb

bbbbb

22

22

°

40 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

6 6

∑ &

a tempo (h = 72)

p


6 6



6 6


&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb(°)

√43 œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

6 6


œœœœgggœœœœggg

˙˙˙ggg

∑

she leaves the stage...

dim. poco a poco

rit.œœœœggg

œœœœggg˙˙˙ggg

∑

&

&

&

bbbbb

bbbbb

bbbbb

nnnnn# #

nnnnn# #

nnnnn# #

Bfly

(√)

46

∑

œœœœgggœœœœggg

˙˙˙ggg

∑

(rit.)

(rit.)

œ. œ.Œ Ó

A men.

∑

∑ ?

p

and pokes her head back on stage, as she remembers to end her prayer.


(with raised index finger, as if to say, “Oh yes, now I remember!”)

-

27


&

?

# #

# #

86

86

„� „� „� „� „� „� „� „� „� „� „� „� �„ �„ �„ „� „� „� „� �„„� „� �„ �„ w

w

U

[random black-note dyads]to suggest a cat on the keys

p cresc. f

NOAH walks onto the stage carrying a saucer of milk for the CAT. He places the saucer on the floor at center stage, then gestures to it, as if to say, “Here you are, cat!”

&

?

# #

# #

86

86

2

‰ œ œ ‰ œœ# œœ.œ .œF

A graceful tempo q . = 72NOAH exits.

with pedal

‰ œœ œœ ‰ œœ œœ.œ .œ ‰ œœ œœ ‰ œœ# œœ.œ .œ ‰ œœ# œœ ‰ œœ œœ.œ .œ

‰ œœœ œœ# œœœ œœ œœœ

Jœœ

Jœœ

CAT enters smiling (a “Cheshire Cat” grin),and nodding her head in time to the music.´

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Cat

7

∑

œœ# œœœ œœ œœœ œœ œœœjœ

œ jœœ

∑

‰ œœœ œœ# œœœ œœ œœœJœ

œJœ

œ

∑

œœ# œœœ œœ œœœ œœ œœœ

Jœœ

Jœœ

.œ œ œ œLord, I am the

‰ œœ œœ ‰ œœ œœ.œ .œ

F importantly jœ# .‰ ‰ Œ jœ.

cat, the

‰ œ# .œ. Jœ

. ‰ ‰

‰ œ. œ# . Jœ.

‰ ‰

p echo

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Cat

12jœ.

‰ ‰ Œ jœ.cat, the

‰ œ.

œ. jœ

.

‰ ‰œ.

œ.

Jœ.

F

p

jœ# .‰ ‰ Œ .

cat.

‰ „� „� J„�

‰ ‰black-note dyads

F

œJœ

œ ‰Ah,

‰ œœœ. œœœ. ‰ œœœ. œœœ.

Jœ.

‰ ‰ Jœ.

‰ ‰

grandly

œJœ

œ ‰ah,

‰ œœœ. œœœ. ‰ œœœ. œœœ.

Jœ.

‰ ‰ Jœ.

‰ ‰

œ œ œ œ œ œprrr

‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ.œ .œ

(roll “r”)embraces herself

28

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 7. The Prayer of the Cat

7. The Prayer of the Cat

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Cat

°

17œ œ œ œ œ œ

‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ..œœ ..œœ

rit.

rit.

ŒUW œ œ œ ∑U

It is not, exactly, that I have something to ask of You!

WWWW

U wwwwU

WWW ∑U

recitative style(F )

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Cat

(°)

√

19œ. ŒU W œ> œ œ ŒU

No – I ask nothing of a ny one –

∑U Œœœœœ.U

∑U Œ ŒU

proudly

œ. ŒU W � � � œ œ

but, if You have by some chance, in some ce les tial

∑

∑

U

U

p

- - - -

&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

Cat

√~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘

°

œ W œ. œ. Œ W œ. œ. Œbarn, a little white mouse, or a saucer of milk,

Œœ œ œ œ œ

œœ œœ&

(20)

quickly (unmeasured)

pp as a “celestial” background´ ´

&

&

&

# #

# #

# #

nn

nn

nn

86

86

86

Cat

(°)

21W

I know someone who would

∑

∑

F œ œ œ

rel ish them,

∑

∑

,œ œ œ

rel ish them,

∑

∑

,œ œ œ

U

œrel ish them.

∑

∑ ?

rit.

rit. U

U

- - -

29


&

&

?

86

86

86

Cat

gliss.

° ° ° °

25

∑

œœjœœ œœ

jœœ

œN œN œN œ œ œF

Original tempo q . = 72

Original tempo q . = 72

CAT picks up the saucer and holds it lovingly.

∑

œœjœœ ..œœ

œ œ œ œ œ œ

œ jœ œ jœprrr

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œ

(F )œ jœ .œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ

p

p

[gentle glissando on strings inside piano]as if petting a cat

&

&

?

Cat

(°)

29

ŒUœ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ> œ œ œ œ œ3

Would n’t You like some day to put a curse on the whole race of

wwwwgggg

U>

∑U

sub. f determined

f

- -

&

&

?

44

44

44

# #

# #

# #

Cat

°

œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ ˙U

dogs?

Ó��÷��

U��÷��

(29)

white-note clustersnoisy barking

f

‰ jœ œ œ œ œIf so, I should say,

∑

∑

œn >œ .˙

A men.

Œ œœœ

>œ

œœ#

> œœœ#>

Œ œœ

>

œœ>

œœ>

She holds up the sauceras an offering plate.

f

triumphantly

-

30


&

&

?

# #

# #

# #

# # #

# # #

# # #

86

86

86

Cat

° ° °

√

32œn >

œ .˙A men.

Œ œœœ>œœœ# >

œœœ#>

œœ>

Œœœ> œœ

>

jœ>

œ .>

A men.

Óœœœ

>œœœ#>

œœ>

œœ>

holds saucer aloft in celebrationw

Œ ...˙˙˙

U..˙

ww>

U

2’15”

,

,

- -

&

?

# # #

# # #

86

86


F

(q . = 72)

CAT smiles and exits the stage, nodding her head in time to the music.

with pedal

‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ.œ .œ ‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ.œ .œ‰ œœœ œœœ

‰ œœœ œœœ.œ .œ

&

?

# # #

# # #

nnnbb

nnnbb

22

22

5


‰ œœœ œœœ ‰ œœœ œœœ..œœn ..œœ

‰ œœœœn œœœœ ‰ œœœœ œœœœ...œœœnn ...œœœ

‰÷��.

÷��.÷��.

��÷.

��÷.

Jœœœnn .

‰ ‰ Œ .

÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ ÷ Urit.

[random black-note clusters]as a cat’s paws on the keys

p

short pause

&

?

bb

bb

22

22 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘

∑

œœ

Œ œœ

Œp

Lumbering tempo h = 60

∑

œœ

Œ œœ

Œ

[Repeat as long as necessary for Alto to change into ELEPHANT costume for next scene.]Some heavy footsteps (as an Elephant) start tobe heard in time with the music.

(cresc. into next scene)

30”

31


Interlude 3

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

22

22

22

..

..

..

..

..

..B

~~~~~~~~~‘

~~~~~~~~~‘

~~~~~~~~~‘∑

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ



f

ELEPHANT dances (sways) in time to the music, gently kicking to the side, as a group, when indicated.

∑

œœœœb ^

‰ œœœœb œœœœ œœœœ Œœœv

Œ œœv

Œ

[kick]

´[repeat the previous 2 measures for as long as it takes the Elephant to come to center stage.]

[repeat the previous 2 measures for as long as it takes the Elephant to come to center stage. Continue kicking through repeats.]

Ó Œ œ

Dear

œœœœb ^


Œ œœv

Œ

f

[final measure]

[final measure, stop kicking]

dancing continues

F

&

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

A

T

B

6

∑

Ó Œ œ

Dear

.˙ ŒGod,

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

f

dancing continues

∑

.˙ ŒGod,

Ó Œ œ œ

it is

œœœœb ^


Œ œœv

Œ

∑

∑

.œJœ

œ œ œ

I, the el e phant

Œ œœœvŒ œœœœb

^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

Ó œ œ œel e phant

œ œ œ Óel e phant,

∑

Œ œœœœbv

Œ œœœœv

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

f

- -

- -

- -

32

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 8. The Prayer of the Elephant

8. The Prayer of the ElephantAll four singers come on stage dressed as an ELEPHANT. Each person has their hands on the hips of the performer in front of them in Conga-line style. The order, from front to back, is Baritone (has a trunk), Tenor, Alto, and Soprano (wearing a tail).

&

&

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

S

A

T

B

10œ. ‰ œ. œ. œ. ‰ œ. œ.

la la la la la la

œ. ‰ œ. œ. œ. ‰ œ. œ.

la la la la la la

œ. ‰ œ. œ. œ. ‰ œ. œ.

la la la la la la

∑

Œœœœœb .

Œœœœœ.

œœ

^Œ œ

œ

^ Œ

F lightly, playfully



dancing continues

lightly

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ.

‰ Œla la la la la

Ó Œ œ

Your

Œœœœœb .

Œœœœœ.

œœ

^Œ œ

œ

^ Œ

f

∑

∑

∑

œ ˙b œ œ

crea ture, who is

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

∑

∑

∑

œ œ œ ˙b3

talk ing to You.

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

- -

&

&

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

S

A

T

B

14œ. ‰ œ. œ. œ. ‰ œ. œ.

la la la la la la

œ. ‰ œ. œ. œ. ‰ œ. œ.

la la la la la la

œ. ‰ œ. œ. œ. ‰ œ. œ.

la la la la la la

w

Œœœœœb .

Œœœœœ.

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la



Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

Œœœœœb .

Œœœœœ.

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

∑

∑

∑

œ œ œ œ œ œb œ œ

I am so em bar rased by my

∑

∑

STOP dancingSlower, more freely

Slower, more freely

( f )

∑

∑

∑

- -

great self,

∑

∑

- -

33


&

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

SA

T

B

18 ¿UŒ Ó

Ah –

¿UŒ Ó

Ah –

ŒU œ œ œ œ œ

and tru ly it is

ÓU ˙˙˙bgggggg˙˙˙b

(F )

in wonderment at their great size

∑

∑

œ. œ. œ. Œnot my fault

jœœœœ ‰ Œ Œ

��÷�

.

Jœœœœ Œ

∑

÷[high black- note cluster]

∑

∑

Œ œ œ œ œ

if I spoil Your

∑

∑

∑

∑

œ œb œ œ. œ. œ. œ.

jun gle a lit tle with my

∑

∑

rit.

rit.

rit.

- - -

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

T

B

22

∑U

œ jœ ‰ ˙U

big feet.

∑U

∑U

(rit.)

(rit.)

∑

∑

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

a tempo (h = 60)

a tempo (h = 60)

f

Dance again

∑

∑

œœœœb ^


Œ œœv

Œ

œ œ œ œ œ œ œLet me be care ful and be

∑

Œ œœœœb^

Óœœvv

Œ

Slower, more freely

Slower, more freely

fSTOP dancing

˙ œ œhave wise ly,

∑

∑

∑

- - -

V

&

?

bb

bb

bb

T

27.˙ Œ

˙˙˙bggggggg˙˙˙˙b ˙˙˙

f

œ œ œ œ œ3

al ways keep ing my

wwwwww

œ œ ˙ œ

dig ni ty and

∑

∑

, p œb o œo œo œo œo œo œo œo

poise.

∑

∑

rit.

rit.

ELEPHANT struggles to keep its balance...

- - - -

34


&

&

V

&?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

S

A

T

√

31

∑U

∑U

wb o wo

| |

U

U[tap piano ledge]*

f

...and regains it. [at end of trill]

∑

œ œ œ œ œGive me such phil o

∑

∑

∑

F reflectively

Slower

Slower

∑

œ œ ˙bsoph ic thoughts

∑

Ó Œœœb .

∑F

a philosophic thought

œ œ œ œ ˙

that I can re joice

∑

∑

∑

∑

Fœ œ œ œ

ev ’ry where I

∑

∑

∑

∑

- - -

- - -

&

&

?

bb

bb

bb

S

√

°

36 wb

go

œœœbggggggggggggg

œœœbgggggggœœ

b

Œ œœœbggggggggœœ

bœœ

b

.U œ œ

in the

...˙bU

...˙˙

b Œ

f

F

l.v.

fœ œ œ œ œ œ œb

3

lov a ble odd i ty of

∑

∑

- - - -

&

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

S

B

39

wbU

things.

∑U

∑U

∑U

jœ ‰ Œ Ó

∑

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

a tempo (h = 60)

a tempo (h = 60)

Dancing (swaying) resumes

f

∑

∑

œœœœb ^


Œ œœv

Œ

´[all kick]

∑

œ. Œ œ. Œla la

Œ œœœœb^

Œ œœœœ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

f∑

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.

la la la la la laœœœœb ^


Œ œœv

Œ

´[kick]

35

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 8. The Prayer of the Elephant*To suggest the precariousness of the situation.

&

&

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

S

A

T

B

44

œ. Œ œb . Œla la

œ.Œ œ.

Œla la

œ. Œ œ. Œla la

œ. Œ œ. Œla la

Œ œœœ.Œ œœœb

.

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

f

f

f

œ. œ. œ. œ. œb . œ.la la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.la la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.

la la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.

la la la la la la

Œ œœœ.Œ

œœœœb ^

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

´[kick]

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la



Ó Œ Ô

Œ œœœœb .Œ

��÷��

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

[raise trunk]

[high white- note cluster]

BARITONE raises trunk as indicated.

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la



Ó Œ Ô

Œ œœœœbv

Œ��÷��

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

[trunk]

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœ. ‰ Œ

la la la la la



Ó Œ Ô

Œ œœœœbv

Œ��÷��

œœv

Œ œœv

Œ

[trunk]

&

&

V

?

&

?

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

bb

S

A

T

B

49

∑

∑

Ó œ œA men.

œ œ ˙A men.

∑

∑

STOP dancingrit.

rit.

Ó œ œU

A men.

œ œb ˙U

A men.

wU

wU

∑U

∑U

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

jœ ‰ Œ Ó

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

Œ œœœœb .Œ œœœœ.

œ. Œ œ. Œ( f )

a tempo

a tempo

Dance a bit

Ó Œ ŒU

Ó Œ ŒU

Ó Œ ŒU

Ó Œ ŒU

‰ œœœœb.

‰ œœœœ.

ÓUœ.

‰ œ.

‰Jœ.

‰ Œu

rit.

rit.

2’00”

They kick to the sideand hold the pose.´

-

-

-

-

36


&

?

bb

bb

nn

nn

22

22

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘œ œb œ œ œ œ

6

œ œ œ œb œ œ

6

&

continue to the beginning of the next scene

h = 60 or slightly fasteras a bird in flight

p

V

&

&

22

22

22

T

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~‘

°

¤€

∑

œ œ œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ5 5 5 5

wwwbggg

Same tempo (h = 60) or slightly fasterwith excitement of anticipation

p as a background

∑

∑

Œ œ ˙

The Ark

∑

F with excitement of anticipationTENOR at stage center, twig held up.

˙ ˙

waits, Lord,

∑

Œ œ ˙

the Ark

ww

V

&

&

T

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(‘)

(°)

gliss. on strings

6œ œ œ œ œ œ

waits on Your will, and the

˙ ˙ ˙3

sign of Your

?

wbpeace.

[inside piano]*

˙ Jœ ‰ Œ

hand without twig, held up,palm towards audience in“gesture of peace”´

37

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 9. The Prayer of the Dove

SOPRANO, ALTO, and TENOR leave the ELEPHANT group, one by one. As they do, they tie a white scarf (kerchief) around the neck and then begin to fly around the stage as the DOVE. As they fly, each singer stops and picks a twig from the tree, TENOR first, followed by ALTO, then SOPRANO.

In the meantime, BARITONE slowly walks over to the Ark and puts on his brown NOAH robe from the opening scene. He takes up his bailing bucket (for later), and stands still in the background.

9. The Prayer of the DoveThe players continue to fly around the stage until their time comes to sing. TENOR flies to center stage first and stopswhile the others continue to fly. Holding the twig up at face level with one hand, he begins the scene. The ALTO follows in similar manner, then the SOPRANO. Eventually all three are united at center stage for the end of the scene.

*If glissando inside piano is not possible, use the back of left hand fingers for high white note glissando on keys.

&

&

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A

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(‘)

(°)

¤€

10

Œ œ ˙The Ark

ALTO joins TENOR,raising twig to face level.

F with excitement of anticipation

˙ ˙bwaits, Lord,

&

Œ œ ˙the Ark

ww

œ œb œ œ œ œwaits on Your will, and the

˙ ˙b ˙3

sign of Your

&

&

&

&

S

A

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(‘)

(°)

gliss. on strings¤€

15

∑

œ œ œ œ ˙peace.

?

∑

˙ jœ ‰ Œ

ALTO lifts other handin “gesture of peace”

´Œ œ ˙

The Ark

∑

SOPRANO joins the group,raising twig to face level.

F with excitement of anticipation

œ œ ˙ ˙

waits, Lord,

∑

&

Œ œ ˙

the Ark

∑

ww

&

&

&

S

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(‘)

(°)

gliss. on strings

20œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ

waits on Your will, and the

˙ ˙ ˙3

sign of Your

œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œpeace.

?

˙ Jœ ‰ Œ

lift other hand in “gesture of peace”´

38


&

&

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A

T

24 œ œ œ ˙

I am the dove,

Ó œ œb œI am the

∑

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(F ) cantabile

(F ) cantabile

∑

˙ Ódove,

œ œ œ ˙

I am the dove,

www

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,

(F ) cantabile

rit.

rit.

,

,

,

œ. œ. œ. œ. Jœb . œ jœsim ple as the sweet ness that

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sim ple as the sweet ness that

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sim ple as the sweet ness that

jœœœ.‰ Œ Ó

jœ. ‰ Œ Óp

p sub.

p sub.

p sub.

Slower

Slower

œb œ ˙comes from You.

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œ œ ˙

comes from You.

∑

∑

- -

- -

- -

V

&

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T

28

∑

∑

œœ œ œ œ œ œ œ

with pedal

(p)

∑

∑


Œ œ ˙

The Ark

∑


pa tempo (h = 60)with building energy

a tempo (h = 60)

˙ ˙

waits, Lord;

œ œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œœ


cresc. poco a poco

&

&

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S

A

32

∑

˙ ˙ ˙3

it has en

œ œ œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ


(cresc.)

FÓ œ œ

Let me

˙ Ódured.

œ œ œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ


Fœ œ œ œ œb . œ.

car ry it a sprig of

∑

œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ


-

-

39


&

&

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35œ œ ˙

hope and joy,

∑

∑

œ œb œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ œ5 5


(cresc.)

.˙ œ

and

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and

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5 5 5

œ œ œb œf

f

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put, at the heart of its for

œ œ œ œ œ œ œput, at the heart of its for


put, at the heart of its for

œœœ Œ Ó

œŒ Ó

-

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° °

38 œ œ .˙

sak en ness,

œ œ .˙sak en ness,

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this, in which Your love

œ.‰ jœ œ œ œ




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œ .˙clothes me,

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Ó œœ

,

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,

,

- -

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40


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T

°

41œœ. ‰

Jœœ œœ œœ œœ




Œ œœœ. Ó

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p echo

p echo

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Slightly slower

œœ..˙

clothes me,

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Ó œœœœbgggggggggggggg


Ó œœ

,

,

,

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this, in which your love

Œ œœœ. Ó

Œœ.

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f

f

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√

◊°

44 œœb ..˙

clothes me,

œ .˙

clothes me,

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Ó œœ

,

,

,

..˙ œœ

Grace im

.˙ œ

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∑

∑

rit.

rit.

˙ ˙ ˙3

mac u late.

˙ ˙ ˙3

mac u late.

∑

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- - -

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bbb

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22

22

22

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48

ŒUœ. œ.

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A men.

ŒUœ. œ.A men.

ŒU œ. œ.

A men.

p

p

pEach singer (DOVE) sings a quick “Amen” and then darts to the front/side edge of the stage, still holding the twig.


-

-

-

41


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&

?

bbb

bbb

bbb

22

22

22

Noah –Œ ¿ Œ

∑

∑

Slowly h = 56

Slowly h = 56

[tap][empty bucket]

–Œ ¿ Œ

∑

∑

–Œ ¿ Œ

∑

∑

–Œ ¿ Œ

∑

∑

–Œ ¿ Œ

∑

œœ

Œ Ópp almost inaudible (to suggest weariness)

Piano joins Noah’sfoot taps.

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bbb

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Noah

6

–Œ ¿ Œ

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

Œ œ œ œ

The days are

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

F wearilyNOAH stops foot taps, but continues bailing.

˙ ˙long, Lord.

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

w

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

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&

?

bbb

bbb

bbb

Noah

11.œ Jœ œ œ œ œ

All this wa ter makes my

∑

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Œ Ó

˙ œn œ ˙

heart sink.

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

w

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

Jœ ‰ Œ Ó

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

-

42

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 10. Noah and the Dove – an epilogue

10. Noah and the Dovean epilogue

NOAH stands by the Ark holding his bailing bucket. He taps his foot on the ground wearily (one tap per measure), as he bails out the Ark (one gesture per measure).

?

&

?

bbb

bbb

bbb

Noah

°

15œ œn œ ˙

When will the ground

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

œ œ œ œ œ œ

cease to rock un der my

∑

œœ

Œ Ó


feet?

∑

œœ

Œ Ó

w

œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœ œœœœ

Œ Ó

poco rit.

poco rit.-

?

&

?

bbb

bbb

bbb

Noah

° °

19

Œœb œ œ

The days are

wwwwwbbgggggggggwwb

b

Slightly slower

Slightly slower

F

w

long.

œ œb œ œww

, .œ Jœ œ œ œ œMas ter Ra ven has not

wwb wwb

a tempo (h = 56)

a tempo (h = 56)

œ .˙

come back.

˙N

œœ Œ ˙œœ

,

- -

?

&

?

bbb

bbb

bbb

Noah

(°) °

23 œ œ œ ˙

Here is Your dove.

www

ww

holds dove w

œœœggg

œœœggg

˙˙ggg

,

as a dove in flight

œ œ œ ˙

Here is Your dove.

P w

œœœggggggggggg

œœœggg

˙˙ggg

www

,

P

?

&

?

bbb

bbb

bbb

Noah

(°)

√

° °

27 œ œ ˙

Here is Your

prit. to end

rit. to end

w

dove.

∑

∑

w

œœœggg

œœœggg

œœœggœœœgg

∑p

*NOAH releases the dove to flight, hands held up.

Jœ ‰ Œ ÓU

wwwnU

w

∑

slow trem. asa dove in flight

U

43

Walker / Prayers from the Ark / 10. Noah and the Dove – an epilogue

1’30” / Total: 23’00”April 30, 2011

Braintree, Vermont

*For a symbolic ending, the DOVE singers remain motionless at the side of the stage, holding a twig. A more visually definitive ending might have the DOVE (each singer one at a time) “fly” off the stage during the final measure.

ark pv u - gwyneth walkerprogram notes the poems for "songs of noah and his animals" are...

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