I'm Gonna Stay SATB (Mark Twain)
SATB piano - reproduce for $.40/copy Based on a story from Twain's 'Life on the Mississippi,' Chapter 49. A pilot dies to save the passangers and crew from a fire.
My "band" is a Macintosh Computer with a sequencer and instrument module (software) and a recording simulator called deck. But it is amazing what can be done with these things!
Story behind the song
Copy available from www.sibeliusmusic.com or from me by email (pdf). Can be reproduced for $.40 per copy.
Lyrics
I'M GONNA STAY
Adapted from a story from Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi
SATB & Piano Performance time Approx. 3:30
Composer: Rob Kemppainen
1. Way down in Memphis, Tennessee, beneath a grave stone, peacefully
There lies a steamboat pilot, brave and strong,
Who gave his life to save his crew; the passengers, he saved them too!
His story is the reason for this song!
It was a day like most, we know, when suddenly, way down below
A fire broke and then began to spread.
So quickly did it rend and rip that a cry went up. "Abandon ship!"
But the pilot hollered, "Stop!" and then he said,
"The water here is mighty deep! The current's strong, the bank is steep!
If folks jump now a lot of them will die!
But, though the river here is wide, it's safer on the other side!
I'm gonna cross, at least I'm gonna try!
C. "I will not go!" That is what they heard him say,
"Cause if I go no one else will see another day!
But if I stay any one can plainly see
There's a chance nobody will be lost but me!
There's no other way!
I'm gonna stay!"
2. And saying this, he took the wheel. He pulled down with a grip of steel
And hauled 'er 'round to face the other shore!
Across they pounded, inch by inch the pilot stood; he didn't flinch
As at his back the flames began to roar!
The captain hollered, "Get out, son! The fire's here! Ya gotta run!
Or pretty soon there won't be no retreat!"
But he replied, "We're almost there! Just one more minute, we'll be where
the water's calm and just a coupla feet!
He aimed 'er for the shallows and he plowed 'er up into the sand
Where all two hundred people safely fled!
But to the one who would n't go, the fire dealt a mortal blow!
These words are chisled now above his head!
Chorus
(C)2007
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