[Choir (no soloists): Impressionism like Debussy and Ravel, pentatonic and whole-tone scales, parallel fifths, ambiguous tonal center, fluttering woodwinds, meandering but calming melodies, lyric-sensitive dynamics, syncopated rhythm, rubato, tempo: quarter note = 60 bpm, evokes peace, shimmering moonlight behind branches, dew on the ground, mist between the trees]
[Verse 1 ,
[Choir (quiet, 5/4 time): Rising like the sun
(7/4 time): at dusk to mirror its light,
(5/4 time): it climbs overhead.
(5/4 time): Casting its sunlight
(7/4 time): on us as it circles past
(5/4 time): our world overnight.
]]
[Chorus,
[Choir (medium quiet, 5/4 time): Behold nature’s lamp
(7/4 time): shining through branches standing
(5/4 time): in peace on this night.
(5/4 time): Look at her beauty
(7/4 time): as she orbits overhead
(5/4 time): while we turn again.
]]
[Verse 2,
[Choir (5/4 time): Limbs and leaves reach up
(7/4 time): to form nature’s filigreed
(5/4 time): window for its flight.
(5/4 time): A filter that frames
(7/4 time): her beams with artistic styles
(5/4 time): but for a moment.
]]
[Chorus,
[Choir (medium quiet, 5/4 time): Behold nature’s lamp
(7/4 time): shining through branches standing
(5/4 time): in peace on this night.
(5/4 time): Look at her beauty
(7/4 time): as she orbits overhead
(5/4 time): while we turn again.
]]
[Verse 3,
[Choir (medium loud, 5/4 time): And gentle breezes
(7/4 time): through peaceful moments passing
(5/4 time): sing her praises sweet.
(5/4 time): While the oceans she pulls
(7/4 time): rise and fall with crashing waves
(5/4 time): in endless rhythm.
]]
[Chorus,
[Choir (medium quiet, 5/4 time): Behold nature’s lamp
(7/4 time): shining through branches standing
(5/4 time): in peace on this night.
(5/4 time): Look at her beauty
(7/4 time): as she orbits overhead
(5/4 time): while we turn again.
]]
[Bridge,
[Choir (loud, 5/4 time): Can we comprehend
(7/4 time): the beauty she casts our way
(5/4 time): with such attraction?
]]
[Verse 4,
[Choir (louder, 5/4 time): Whether a saucer
(7/4 time): full of light, center-to-rim
(5/4 time): or a crescent thin
(5/4 time): she rules in her flight
(7/4 time): as she waxes full and wanes
(5/4 time): down to the umbra.
]]
[Chorus,
[Choir (medium quiet, 5/4 time): Behold nature’s lamp
(7/4 time): shining through branches standing
(5/4 time): in peace on this night.
(5/4 time): Look at her beauty
(7/4 time): as she orbits overhead
(5/4 time): while we turn again.
]]
[Outro, (fading quiet to silence, syncopated, rubato),
[Choir, (5/4 time): Her dance unending
(7/4 time): throughout the distant ages
(5/4 time): still moon walks with us.
]]
Lyrics, Bill Graham
