09 — THE WATER AFTER US Voice: An original Indigenous elder character; no specific nation or ceremonial tradition assigned [Style: Contemporary acoustic folk; elder female lead, spare guitar, cello, spacious harmonica. 72 BPM, E minor to G major.] [Verse 1] My granddaughter filled a tumbler, Held it up against the sun. Asked me where the water travels When our little day is done. I could name the creek behind us, Name the bend beyond the mill. But the men who signed the permits Hadn’t walked beside that hill. [Chorus] Who will drink the water after us? Who will plant beside this shore? Write their names into the promise Before you sign for something more. What we leave will meet their bodies, What we spend will shape their days. Let the children of tomorrow Have a river worth their praise. [Verse 2] They came asking for a blessing For a plan already made. I brought questions, maps and neighbors; We had things we had to say. Hear the people who live downstream, Give their knowledge room to stand. An agreement needs their voices, And their right to guard their land. [Bridge] I can’t speak for every elder. I can tell you what I’ve seen: Fish returning in the springtime, Then the years of empty streams. [Final chorus — repeat; brighter harmony] [Outro] She sets the glass upon the table. We have work to do.
