Verse 1 (Setting Out)
(Start with Unison - All voices together, strong rhythm)
Tong Island dawn, the clock struck six,
Two eager boys, we fixed our mix.
Petrol cans were full and stacked,
Copra bags secured and packed.
The dinghy loaded, smooth and tight,
We sailed out into the morning light.
(Interjection) Whoa! Cold air!
The operator started, steady beat,
As land retreated, oh so sweet.
(Call and Response - Leader/Main Vocal sings; Others/Backing Vocals respond)
Leader: We left the shore
Others: (Early dawn)
Leader: Safe journey called
Others: (No turning 'round)
Chorus (The Mission)
(Style Focus: Homophony, Octave Doubling)
(Homophony - All voices moving together in harmony)
All: Three Islands calling, copra gold to buy,
Beneath the wide and endless sky.
Work under the sun, until the day is done,
Our journey home, when the victory is won!
(Octave Doubling - A lead voice sings the melody, another voice sings the exact same melody one octave higher/lower for emphasis)
Lead (High Octave): From Tong we sail,
Other (Low Octave): From Tong we sail,
All: To bring the harvest back!
Verse 2 (The Work)
(Style Focus: Parallel Doubling, Vocal Chase, Blues Howl)
(Parallel Doubling - Two voices sing the same melody/rhythm a fixed interval apart)
We hit the beach, the sand was bright,
Two friendly faces, pure delight.
We shared the tea, a warming sip,
Then straight to business on this trip.
The sun climbed high, the heat came on,
We worked until the light was gone.
(Vocal Chase - Two voices sing short phrases that quickly follow each other)
Voice A: Husk and break,
Voice B: Break and weigh,
Voice A: Until four
Voice B: Four o'clock,
(Duet Harmony - Two voices sing different but harmonious melodies)
Voice A (Melody): The bags filled up, the weight was right,
Voice B (Harmony): We loaded up before the night.
(Blues Howl - A sudden, expressive, slightly exaggerated vocal sound)
All: It was a very nice trip, YEEAAAH!
Bridge (The Crossing Home)
(Style Focus: Duet Harmony, Parallel Doubling)
(Duet Harmony - Two distinct voices (A and B) sing different, intertwining melodies over a softer background)
Voice A: The boat is heavy, low it rides,
Voice B: Sailing now against the tides.
Voice A: Sunset colours paint the foam,
Voice B: Bringing the rich harvest home.
(Parallel Doubling - Voices A and B switch to singing the same rhythm and melody, separated by an interval, for a sense of shared determination)
Voices A & B: Wind is steady, spray is cool,
Daylight fades into the blue.
We check the engine, check the load,
Final steps along the road.
Autro (Laspela Tingting)
(Stail Fokas: Vocal Chase, Blues Howl, Interjection, Octave Doubling, Unison - Fade)
(Vocal Chase - Sotpela, ol hap bilong bikpela het tok)
Nek 1: Em i wanpela raun tru!
Nek 2: Kopra i baim!
Nek 3: Misin i pinis!
Nek 4: Em i wanpela raun tru!
(Blues Howl - Em i wanpela longpela, klia, amamas krai)
Lida Vokal: OHHHH YEAHHH!
(Interjection & Octave Doubling - Simple tenkyu na rilif)
