Desolation (One Small Step)

by Mike Whitaker

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about

This was written just before the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 for a NASA wake-up song competition.

I've had to change the lyrics twice to reflect the passing of time. My fervent hope is not to have to do so again. In fact, I'd like the song (or at least its chorus) to become redundant.

A new version of this track will appear on my next album (tentatively titled "Through The Turning Years").

lyrics

There's a silence 'cross the barren land
No wind to stir the dust
And metal tools left lying
With no rain to make them rust.
A single footprint marks the place
Where once two heroes toiled.
A flag, forgotten, fallen lies
Amid the dusty soil.

And that one giant leap grows further now each day.
To the empty desolation over fifty years away.
But one small step can start us off once more
On that longest march in history
To Tranquility's far shore.

Elsewhere on that landscape
A picture's left behind:
A simple family photo
For some traveller to find.
The one who left it's long years gone -
Safe now, no more to roam.
A reminder of a journey made
So many miles from home

And that...

Far and wide the débris
Of a dozen's labours lie:
Scattered remnants of a time
When mankind dared to fly.
The whole world watched in wonder,
Prayed that they'd be safe home soon.
Old men now, who still recall
Their steps upon the moon.

And that...

And that one giant leap grows closer now we pray.
Apollo's distant triumph we will dare again one day.
That one small step will start us off once more
On that longest march in history
To Tranquility's far shore.

credits

released May 19, 2020
All instruments, drum programming: Mike Whitaker
Samples: NASA (Public Domain) - Apollo 11 (Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin), Apollo 17 (Gene Cernan)
Image: NASA (Public Domain)

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NéPALM Music Peterborough, UK

NéPALM Music are a small press label that releases British filk music, originally on CD but now chiefly online.

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Hi Talis! I heard you sing this on your song swap with Piers, I absolutely love it and in fact I am nicking it to be the first song I learn to play with my new CONCERTINA. V appropriate for a sailor’s song. I promise it won’t be a shanty when I’m done. bohemiancoast
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