Program - Krannert Center for the Performing Arts

SONG TEXT forShould This Be Found: Six Songs on Scott's Last ExpeditionShould This Be FoundTexts from the diaries of Robert Falcon ScottArranged by Richard PowersSong 1: The Voyage OutThe ship came out of dock,a scene of great industry.Men were building horse stalls,caulking the decks, resecuring the deckhouses.Not a single spot but had its band of workers.The [ship] pushed off fromthe jetty. A great mass of people,bright sunshine--very gay scene. Pennellswung the ship for compass adjustment, then away.A day of great disaster,Plunging, taking much water,a great piece of bulwark carried clean away.The scene on deck was devastating.A dog was drowned last night. One pony dead,and two others probably will go.The sun has appeared through breaksin the cloudy heavens, brilliantly illuminatingsome field of pack, some steep-walled berg,some patch of bluest sea. So sunlightand shadow have chased each other across our scene.The spirit of [our] enterprise is as bright as ever. Not a wordof complaint or anger has been heard on board.There is a rush to be first when work is done,desire to sacrifice [selfishness] tothe success of the expedition. Fortune would be hardindeed if it allowed such knowledge, experience,ability, and enthusiasm to achieve nothing.