It was a long night in choir yesterday. In our three-hour practice, we ran through the entirety of Mozart's Vespers, as well as everything else we were practicing. Mr. Murray, our choir director, was kind enough to give us a few breaks throughout that time, which was time enough to get a drink of water and to rest our now-croaking vocal cords, if only for a moment. But, as they say, there is no rest for the wicked, for during one of these breaks, someone burst into the room and shouted, "Obama has won!!!" Two hours of full-out singing did not stop at least half the assembled choir from breaking out into exhuberant cheers. (I, of course, refrained) Within a few more minutes, we were all back in our seats and Mr. Murray again announced the news of the Presidential race. After another round of approving murmurs, our choir director named the next song to practice: the Triumphant Chorus from Verdi's Aida. With a few carefully selected word substitutions, the song could have been played after Obama claimed victory:
Glory to Egypt and to Isis who protects our sacred land
Let us raise festive hymns to the King who rules the Delta
Glory, glory to the King!
Intertwine the lotus with the laurel in the hair of the victors.
Like a veil, spread over the armies a shower of lovely flowers.
Daughters of Egypt, let us dance the mystic ring dances
Just as the stars in the sky dance around the sun.
Raise your eyes and give thanks to the gods for this victory;
Give thanks to the gods for this fortunate day.
Oh come, avenging warrior, come rejoice with us.
As the heroes pass, toss laurel branches and flowers.
Glory to Egypt!
And we sang it loudly, despite our dry and cracking voices.
But that wasn't the only musical irony of the night. Our final song was a cute little rendition of "Let It Snow!" And as I emerged from the college building, three hours after I first entered it, I saw the dreary Grande Prairie landscape covered in its first layer of snow.
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