Download pdfs of the music from Sun Dance
Click on the links below to download pdfs of arias and choral selections from Sun Dance. Anyone is welcome to perform these pieces in any context. We only ask that you contact us to inform us of any performances and consider sharing any recordings so that we can post them or link to them on this site.
Arias
"I Wanted to Believe"
Soprano Aria
Description: After a flashback scene to the acquittal of Bob Robideau and Dino Butler, three women are discussing the event at a Leonard Peltier rally in the present. Two of them reflect on how happy and relieved they were at the time, and they are castigated by the third woman, who reminds them that Leonard was still in prison and the situation of Native people had not improved. One of the two women sings this aria in response, explaining how she needed to believe that there was still hope.
Download a pdf of the music for "I Wanted to Believe."
"Why Aren't You Still Fighting?"
Soprano Aria
Description: This aria follows the trial scene in which Leonard is sentenced to two consecutive life terms. He responds to his conviction with a forceful denunciation of not only the US justice system, but all of white America. The scene shifts back to the three Native American women at a Leonard Peltier rally, present day. The two older women, both veterans of the activism of the 1970s, recall how they were stunned at the verdict and felt completely defeated, with no idea of what to do next. The younger woman responds with this furious aria.
Download a pdf of the music for "Why Aren't You Still Fighting?"
Listen to "Why Aren't You Still Fighting?"
"Why is it so Hard?"
Mezzo-Soprano Aria
Description: After an initial period of excitement and progress following the occupation of Alcatraz in 1969, the island's residents encounter difficulties. Conflicts emerge over how to govern and we begin to see that all the residents are not united in their purpose on the island. This aria touches on the residents' aspirations, fears, and frustrations.
Download a pdf of the music for "Why is it so Hard?"
Listen to "Why is it so Hard?"
"Why Do I Hate Them?"
Tenor Aria
Description: Dino Butler was an AIM member who came to Pine Ridge to help protect the traditionalists from attacks by a corrupt tribal chairman and his GOON squad. In this aria, he complains to Bob Robideau that, although the AIM group came to keep the peace, they increasingly found themselves fighting their fellow Indians.
Download a pdf of the music for "Why Do I Hate Them?"
"Sometimes"
Baritone Aria
Description: The occupation of Alcatraz is drawing to a close, with only a few residents left. The singer reflects on the different ways to view the event as a "success," arguing that, even if the occupation didn't happen as they had hoped, it still accomplished some of the goals set out by the residents.
Download a pdf of the music for "Sometimes."
Listen to "Sometimes."
"We Have Not Asked"
Bass Aria
Description: The people who occupied Alcatraz are frustrated by the conflict on the island, the increasingly negative news coverage, and a lack of support from the mainland, both Native Americans and whites. This aria denounces the hypocrisy of white treatment of Native Americans. [NOTE: Most of the text of this aria comes from a statement given by Onondaga leader Oren Lyons during the Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973. His words are used with permission out of context because the sentiment that they express was equally representative of the feelings of the Alcatraz occupiers.
Download a pdf of the music for "We Have Not Asked."
Listen to an excerpt that includes "We Have Not Asked."
"Someday, All Will Come Home"
Bass Aria
Description: Bob Robideau was an AIM member who, like Dino Butler, was also charged with and acquitted of the murders of the two FBI agents. In the days before the shootout at Pine Ridge, he expresses his frustrations to other members of the AIM group camped out there. He shares his vision of a time when Indians will once again be in control of their ancestral lands.
Download a pdf of the music for "Someday, All Will Come Home."
Choral Pieces
"The Indian Voice"
SATB a capella
Lyrics by Leonard Peltier
Download a pdf of the music for "The Indian Voice."
"Return of the Ghosts in Spring"
SATB a capella
Lyrics by Kicking Bear
Download a pdf of the music for "Return of the Ghosts in Spring."
SATB a capella
Lyrics by Kicking Bear
Download a pdf of the music for "Return of the Ghosts in Spring."