[Intro — ship intercom, a bell, the outgoing captain's last words over the ship's channel] (All hands. Change of watch, first of its kind aboard this ship. The bridge is yours. I am going below.) (…and on the long-range band, incoming: Earth. Date of origin — March, seventeen ninety-seven.) [Verse 1 — tenor, filtered, patient; the first man ever to inherit a republic] When it was first perceived, in early times, that no middle course for America remained between unlimited submission and total independence — the people of America were not abandoned. They formed for themselves a government on the simple principles of nature. (bell) Employed in the service of my country abroad, I first saw the Constitution of the United States — I read it with great satisfaction. [Chorus — choir, the crew answering across the hull] Who takes the watch, takes the whole of it. Who leaves the watch, leaves it whole. No crown, no blade, no father's name — a signature, and then a door. He walked off the bridge. He walked off the bridge. And the ship kept its course. [Verse 2 — the tenor turns toward the man who just left; the speech's tribute to Washington] It is with reluctance that I see him withdraw — his name, in the Constitution, secures its adoption. His example has been recommended to the imitation of his successors. May the ship sail long. May the light of his name be the harbor we steer from. [Bridge — drone thins; the litany. Tenor names each "if"; choir repeats the last word of each line] If a veneration for the people — if a love of virtuous men of all parties — if an inflexible determination to maintain peace — if a fixed resolution to preserve the Constitution — if a spirit of equity and humanity — if a personal esteem for the French nation — if elevated ideas of the high destinies of this country — (choir, swelling) can enable me — to fulfill the duties of this office — with honor to myself — and to the good of the people. [Final Chorus — tenor and choir, the bell tolling once] Who takes the watch, takes the whole of it. Who leaves the watch, leaves it whole. The existence of such a government is proof — a general dissemination of knowledge and virtue through the whole body of the people. He walked off the bridge. And the ship held. [Outro — intercom; the new officer of the watch, very quiet] (Second watch. Course unchanged. Logged, and forwarded to the domes.) (…so it can be done. It was done once.) (filtered, fading, from the tape) …with humble reverence…
