Formula: refrain, three stanzas and a refrain (twelve repeats)
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
Desolation, oh yes!
Yet how magnificent!
Here we'd settle and toil,
Our hopes not reticent.
We came prepared to stay,
Accepting the challenge,
To live off starkest land,
Dream ancient as Stonehenge.
We pride ourselves Lunans,
Our way of life Lunese.
Our uphill struggle gives
Rich meaning to life's lease.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
We've soil above our head
Just as below our feet.
Yet blind moles we are not,
Within, Sun's warmth we greet.
Safe against cosmic ray,
Sun's flare, meteorite.
Cool below dayspan's heat,
From nightspan's cold so tight.
Picture-windows' bleakness
Drains not spirit's ladle,
For within our shelters,
Greenery's our cradle.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
By old favor returned,
Now Earth shows time's reason
Calendar-in-the-Sky,
Marking year, date, season.
Ago we watched phases
of waxing, waning Moon.
Now lights of Earth cities
Inspire legend and tune.
Full Earth stirs our lovers
With its romantic light.
Sooth, as far as we reach,
We'll ever hold dear this sight!
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
'Neath the untempered Sun,
And naked sky's splendors,
We till the Moon's gray soil
For wealth it surrenders.
Against stark horizons
Of light highlands, dark plains,
We cook rock and bust 'lith,
Patiently earning gains.
The snail crawl of Sun-drench.
The slow drift of Star-awe,
Give freshening rhythm
To life, less season's law.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
Turning to advantage,
alleged drawbacks galore,
Our gumption finds pay dirt
In this commonplace ore.
Nor lushly fertile soil,
Nor concentrated veins
Of minerals do bless.
No the key is our pains!
If we do yet succeed,
The trails we blaze will light
The way for the daring
Who'd follow into night.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
Blest are we less endowed,
We must try harder,
And in the achievement,
We'll reach and soar higher.
Fresh opportunities!
Raw possibilities!
From these barrens we'll tease
Unsuspected glories.
Busy but slowfall-paced,
We'll bud free and grow tall.
Our children lithe and bright,
Life's preciousness is all.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
From the songs of Firstnight
For clay-borns fresh landed,
To tunes befit life's end,
through lyrics we're banded.
We're farmers and miners,
Craftsmen and artists proud.
We're students and traders,
Creating, heads not bowed.
Our confidence in life,
In word and song foremost,
Cherish Old Lady Gray,
Our unforgiving host.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
Dawn-test fraternity
of cradle foresakers,
We scout new paths for life,
Universe gate-makers.
Blest our dire wants and needs,
For they'll drive us far deep,
Into the night in search
Of rich sources to reap.
Resourceful bootstrappers,
We earn our keep as due.
Homage to TANSTAAFL!
To our selves we are true.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
Moontides on blue depths sing
Destiny's overture.
Lever to black-set wealth,
Moon's role became mature.
In hollow spun islands
We'll furnish weight, less bars.
Where feet seek not Earth's core
But the high-circling stars.
We can, we must, we will
Undreamt destinies seek:
Finding ever new ways
For Earth-bred souls to peak.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
Mother Gaia's first grads,
We are humbled yet proud,
Making camp here en route
Relentless to stars? crowd.
A new world we're shaping,
Not just for humans seed.
Earth flora, fauna too,
it's each other we need.
Frontierfolk of Luna,
Builders of space towns grand,
Wildcatters of comets,
Outfitters for Mar's land.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
True, our own wealth we seek,
But in process we'll give
Earth cheapest energy
The wherewithal to live.
The first of new rustics,
Many lessons we'll learn,
To teach old Earth in thanks,
For heritage in turn.
Hinterland pioneers,
Our destinies we seek,
In ways ever true to roots,
Humble, but never meek.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.
---
We came to find ourselves,
But also fleeing limits,
Of stifling hordes and rules,
The pressures of habits.
The call of lands virgin
To humanity's effort,
Nor eco-thick with life,
Promise Freedom's comfort.
We left, looking not back;
Hoping here to increase
Yet for Old Mother Clay
We wish justice and peace.
(refrain)
We're bluing and gilding
brightly greening the gray,
against the siren black,
beneath the Milky Way.