A song in the night

[Strophe 1 – silence, irregular rhythm, listing motif] Late in the night—when the city lies still, She sitteth alone by the murmuring will, Hand upon dials, breath measured, light thin, As though all the world were contained therewithin. [Refrain – woven, experimental, rising motif, overlapping voices] And it seems… (—and it seems—) through the line… (—remain—) There’s a call… (—again—) in her name… Turn thee not— (—too late—) from the sound— For the voice…” [Insert – spoken, filtered like radio, slight echo] — Dost thou hear me? — Who speaketh? — Write this. Now. [Strophe 2 – bass enters, irregular rhythm, listing motif] A crack in the silence— a voice, low, precise: “Mark well what I tell thee… attend mine advice [Insert – spoken, filtered like radio, slight echo] [Refrain – woven, experimental, rising motif, overlapping voices] And it seems… (—and it seems—) through the line… (—remain—) There’s a call… (—again—) in her name… Turn thee not— (—too late—) from the sound— For the voice… is already line. [Strophe 3 – fuller band, organ + drums, tension, broken dialogue] Then come they forth with iron gaze, With questions sharp and measured phrase: “Who told thee this?” — “I know not how.” “Why speak’st thou truth ere it be now?” She seeth herself in the glass so pale— A ghost mid-signal, thin and frail. [Bridge – dramatic, stop-start, call & response, layered voices] — Turn thee back. — I cannot cease. — The voice deceives. — It bringeth peace. — It nameth thee. — Then let it be. — Thou art the cause. — Or remedy. [Break – minimal, spoken, list returns, almost mechanical] [Refrain – woven, experimental, rising motif, overlapping voices] And it seems… (—and it seems—) through the line… (—remain—) There’s a call… (—again—) in her name… Turn thee not— (—too late—) from the sound— For the voice… is already line.