[Spoken intro, female voice, radio static] Relay log. Departure One, first ship out of the system. Engines warm. Crew at stations. Nobody has said the word "go." Signal on the old band. Older than the ship. Older than the star. Decoding. [Verse 1 — male baritone, radio-filtered, unhurried] Among the vicissitudes incident to life No event could have filled me with greater anxieties I was summoned by my country Whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love From a retreat which I had chosen with the fondest predilection As the asylum of my declining years [Chorus — the ship, female lead with choir] We hear you. We are far. The fire you lit is our one star. We carry it out past the last light — Small, and sacred, and burning bright. [Verse 2 — male baritone, radio-filtered] It would be peculiarly improper to omit In this first official act My fervent supplications to that Almighty Being Who rules over the universe No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore The Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men [Verse 3 — male baritone, radio-filtered, rising] The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty And the destiny of the republican model of government Are justly considered As deeply, perhaps as finally, staked On the experiment intrusted to the hands of the American people [Litany — full choir] An indissoluble union between virtue and happiness The pure and immutable principles of private morality Enlarged views Temperate consultations Wise measures On which the success of this government must depend [Chorus — the ship, female lead with choir] We hear you. We are far. Our captain came back from the quiet To carry your fire past the last light — Small, and sacred, and burning bright. [Outro — sung, male baritone, quiet] When I was first honored with a call into the service of my country The light in which I contemplated my duty Required that I should renounce every pecuniary compensation I have, in obedience to the public summons Repaired to the present station [Spoken outro, female voice, radio static] End of transmission. The captain came out of retirement for this. She refused the bonus. She said the word. [Ignition — full choir and drum, rising, engines under] We hear you. We are far. The fire you lit is our one star. We carry it out past the last light — Small, and sacred, and burning bright. Burning bright. Burning bright. [Spoken, female voice, static breaking up] Departure One is away. Relay closed.
