Dawnrise (Processional)

[Opening – instrumental, with distant wind and soft drumming] (No lyrics. Just movement, breath, and distant footfalls in rhythm.) [Spoken Fragment 1 – ~1:15 in] “We walk not because the night is gone. We walk because we saw her flame… and followed.” [Chant – whispered, repeated 3x] “Eos… Eos… Light the road… Light the road…” [Spoken Fragment 2 – ~2:45] “She did not answer with thunder. She answered with dawn.” [Call and Response – choir joins] (Leader) “Who walks before the sun?” (Choir) “Ianthe, star of flame.” (Leader) “And who walks behind?” (Choir) “All who remain.” [Final Sung Passage – around 4:00, soft, luminous] (All) Rose on the mountain / Flame in the air Carry us eastward / Light everywhere Steps in the silence / Names on the stone Dawn is the answer / We walk her alone. [Outro – wind chimes, flute fading, one last deep drumbeat]