(after Langston Hughes’s Chant for May Day)

to be read by a Worker with, for background, the pulsating waves of a Mass

Orchestra, multiplying its sounds like the roar of a mighty Cascade.






WORKER:

 

 

 

 

 

10 INSTRUMENTS:

 

20 INSTRUMENTS:

40 INSTRUMENTS:

 

 

 

50 INSTRUMENTS:

 

WORKER:

10 INSTRUMENTS:

20 INSTRUMENTS:

40 INSTRUMENTS:

50 INSTRUMENTS:

 

WORKER:

10 INSTRUMENTS:

10 OTHERS:

10 OTHERS:

10 OTHERS:

50 INSTRUMENTS:

 

WORKER:

50 INSTRUMENTS:

10 INSTRUMENTS:

20 INSTRUMENTS:

30 INSTRUMENTS:

40 INSTRUMENTS:

50 VOICES:

 

WORKER:

20 INSTRUMENTS:

40 INSTRUMENTS:

60 INSTRUMENTS:

80 INSTRUMENTS:

100 INSTRUMENTS:





(two cynics enter, sing amorous song, then exit)

truth that evening’s in the Square

when the bowed heads ruptured the earth,

when the sounds followed the baton.

when the violin tuned to its orchestra,

workers:

be like this violin.

we intone in the strength of our unknown

power, (improvocation in E minor)

grow out of the passive world

grown strong with perfect harmony

bows and lips together—

to beautify this situation, this Spring,

and every Spring

forever for the Workers!

(improvocation in A major)

Workers:

be like the strings playing to the baton,

strengthening each note,

no part neglected—

reaching every world.

(improvocation in C major)

all Subjects:

migrant workers,

student workers,

farmer workers,

workers in urban and nonurban communities

Eternity speaks from our future,

(improvocation in F# minor)

when our passionate tones rise

common Eternity speaks.

(sharp tones rising)

(disjunctive rhythms infolding unharmoniously)

(shifts to Ab, Chorus of the United Front joins in)

when the baton rises,

when the baton falls,

(dominant 7th , all improvocate together)

our fates join, all Peoples of all worlds:

rise up! rise up! rise up!

even in the most mundane circumstances,

we’ll subtract ourselves in this time,

look! the forces of this world are ours,

look! the whole world is turning on its head!