“[(spoken-sung in clipped, rhythmic unison)]
No boats
No blades
No hope
No shade
No way
No guide
No fire
No pride “
“Were there no graves in Egypt?
You brought us out to die?
Was slavery too simple?
Was silence not enough to justify? “
“We walked with blood
We ran with ghosts
Now we’re trapped
Between sea and hosts
I see the sea
How could it split?
I see this ocean
I see this pit “
“You call this faith
I call it death
At least in chains
We still had breath “
“[(firm, rhythmic cadence over minimal percussion)]
Still your tongue
Restrain your cries
Did you not see
God is our guide? “
“[(gentle melodic line over soft strings)]
Did you not eat
From dust made bread?
Did you forget
We are freed and fed?”
“[(more forceful, subtle drum hits enter)]
You were not led
To be destroyed
You won’t be lost
Into this void “
“[(supportive melodic rise, ensemble breath steadies slightly)]
Hold the ground
Lift your eyes
Faith walks first
Then comes the skies “
“[(female voice, voice cracking, fear peaking)]
Why did you bring us here?
To bury us in heat?
To drown us in your dream?
Our freedom incomplete? “
“[(rap over tense syncopated bass hits)]
You saw a bush / we saw a whip
You called it fire / we took this trip
You said “Be free” / we took that leap
But now the sea’s too dark, too deep “
“[(rap over tense syncopated bass hits)]
You saw a bush / we saw a whip
You called it fire / we took this trip
You said “Be free” / we took that leap
But now the sea’s too dark, too deep “
“[(calming presence, legato phrasing against choppy ensemble rhythms)]
He doesn’t call
To turn away
He doesn’t burn
Then let you fray”
“[(unison chant, rising from panic into shaky resolve):]
We are not alone
Though storms delay
We do not drown
In yesterday “
“[(building to harmony, rhythmic layering increases tension):]
We want walls
We want light
We want vision
In this night
We want signs
We want steel
We want freedom
We can feel “
[(sung, warm, tremolo strings under her voice)]
I cannot part the sea with sound
But I believe
Where fear is found
That God still walks
That God still reigns
Even here
With trembling veins
“[(duet, harmonies tight but fragile; FX: wind rises slightly behind them)]
So, if you break
Break on your knees
And if you cry
Cry out and see”
“[(final chant, percussion muted except for heartbeat-like thud)]
Desert of doubt
Desert of flame
Desert of silence
Desert of blame
Desert of doubt
Desert of breath
Desert of waiting
Desert of death
Desert of doubt “
