4. Preparation

4. Preparation.  The first pioneers brought with them just about everything they owned on the trail west. Most of that stuff didn’t make it off the prairie. But they brought it, nonetheless.
In this wild list song, the four soloists (farmer, two pioneer women and a merchant, with vociferous support from the chorus and clamoring orchestra, rattle off dozens of items that they simply must include on the journey.
Sample:  “Got to take the stuff for my store. That’s my job as proprietor. Got to have what they’ll buy. And every mile that passes by…..profit margins multiply!
Penny nails, drill bits and cleavers; cross-cut saws and reeds for weavers; pick-ax, pot, tobacco plugs; rouge and paint for ladies’ mugs; rifles, powder, kegs with bungs, and toys and clothes for all the youngins’! These are things I need to take with me.”

Orchestral & Choral Version

Piano & Choral Version*

*Original Cast CD recording from August 1993:
Joy Bechtler, Soprano
Polly Kopituk, Mezzo-Soprano
David Ronis, Tenor
Martin Hargrove, Bass
Eric Houghton, Piano/Composer