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[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

> > But
> for me it is more than just people...the natural world can be very
> hostile...if I decided to spend the night outside tonight, I'd probably
> be dead in the morning....The weather is notoriously hostile.

It was six degrees here last night.  If I had had occasion to spend the night 
outside, I'd have gone to where I know there are some huge dead white pines 
that have recently fallen.  I'd break up a big pile of firewood (in a pinch 
you 
can do this by dropping a big stones on the dry tree branches) and made a 
great roaring fire of the resinous branches and had a fine old time in its 
comfort for the night.

The same universe that breathed out this 6 degree cold air also grew the pine 
tree and laid it dried and resinous at my feet.

What might appear as hostilities of the universe are trifles compared to all 
the marvelous things it provides.


In the operetta "Once on This Island" the heroine Ti'Moune sets out after a 
hurricane to cross the island.  Four of the story's cental characters are 
Voudoun gods including Asaka, the Mother Earth goddess.

So this song comes as Ti'Moune finds herself in the woods after the storm:

But on this island the earth sings
As soon as the storm ends.
And as Ti Moune set out she realized
She was walking with old friends.

The birds...
Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo coo
Coo coo, coo coo, coo coo coo


Sha sha sha-aah
The trees...
Sha sha sha-aah


Ba-oom boom boom
The frogs!
Ba-oom boom boom


And the breezes!
Oooooooooh
Oooooooooh...

Ti Moune lost all her fear.
She knew Asaka was near!

(ASAKA)
You've never been away from the sea, child.
You're gonna need a helping hand.
A fish has got to learn to swim on land!

Walk with me, little girl,
Don't you be afraid
Follow me, little girl
Let me be your guide
A pretty thing like you
Will need a thing or two
And whatever you need
Mama will provide

Oh...
Down the road, little girl
You may lose your way
All alone in a world 
That may seem too wide
But sit on Mama's lap
And I will draw a map
And whatever   
You need 
Mama will 
Provide 

I'll provide you:

Moss! 
To soften the road

Rocks!
To sit on!


Trees!
To sleep underneath!


Sand
Fun for your toes


Plantain!
To fill up your belly


Breeze
To fan your face


Grass
For making your bed

Mosquitos??
Ha!!

Bug will bite little girl
And the night will fall
All alone in the dark
You'll be terrified
But you will make it through
'Cause I am liking you!
And whatever you need Mama will
Provide!

Oh...
Walk with me, little girl
And I'll take you far
Round each bend, little friend
I'll be by your side
That's what a Mama's worth
To give her child the earth
And whatever you need
Mama will provide.