Wondering Starship

[bnewman]

A sentient starship intended for exploration must be able, not only to think, but to wonder.  Parts of this song came to me in a dream.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

/ D - A D / G D G A / - D - G / D G A D /

 

O starship constructor, won't you tell to me,

What kind of a ship have they asked you to build?

The kind of a ship that's meant to go far,

For the ship that can wonder can never be stilled.

 

O dockside computer, won't you tell to me,

Why no one's on board if she launches today?

That kind of a ship has no need of a crew,

For the ship that can wonder can choose her own way.

 

/ G D A D / - G A - / 1st / " /

 

And her home will be the empty deep,

That stretches between the suns,

And she'll wander and wonder and never shall sleep,

For ever as long as her engines run.

 

O wondering starship, won't you tell to me,

How long has it been since you saw the sun rising?

Of all of these stars, which one is your sun,

And how can she rise where there is no horizon?

 

O stellar cartographer, won't you tell me,

How many the stars you have seen in the sky?

A million and more, yet more still to see,

And most of those stars are as lonely as I.

 

Yet my home will be...

 

O distant explorer, won't you tell to me,

How often do you find a good conversation?

En route between worlds, I take time to myself,

But I value good friendship at each destination.

 

O wandering starship, won't you tell to me,

Is there ever a world that you think of as home?

I was built for the void, I was born to explore,

And I'm happy as long as I've room for to roam.

 

For my home will be...