Music 1: Introduction to Music: Nixon in China

Nixon in China

John Adams

The airfield outside Peking. It is a very cold, clear, dry morning; Monday, February 21, 1972; the air is full of static electricity. No airplanes are arriving; there is the odd note of birdsong. Finally, from behind some buildings, come the sounds of troops marching. Contingents of army, navy, and air force - 120 men of each service - circle the field and begin to sing The Three Main Rules of Discipline and the Eight Points of Attention.

CHORUS:

Soldiers of heaven hold the sky
The morning breaks and shadows fly
Follow the orders of the poor
Your master is the laborer
Who rules the world with truth and grace
Deal with him justly, face to face
Pay a fair price for all you buy
Pay to replace what you destroy
Divide the landlord's property
Take nothing from the tenantry
Do not mistreat the captive foe
Respect women, it is their due
Replace doors when you leave a house
Roll up straw matting after use

The people are the heroes now
Behemoth pulls the peasant's plow
When we look up, the fields are white
With harvest in the morning light
And mountain ranges one by one
Rise red beneath the harvest moon

A jet is heard approaching, touching down, and taxiing across the runway. As The Spirit of '76 comes into view, slowing to a stop, Premier Chou En-lai and a small group of officials stroll out to meet it, casting long shadows in the pale yellow light. A ramp is drawn up to the hatchway. After a pause the door opens and President Nixon stands in the opening for an instant, then begins to descend the ramp, closely followed by the First Lady in her scarlet coat. When the President reaches the middle of the ramp, Premier Chou begins to clap and the President stops short and returns the gesture, according to the Chinese custom. He reaches the bottom step and extends his right hand as he walks towards the Premier. They shake hands.

CHOU	Your flight was smooth, I hope?
NIXON	Oh, yes, Smoother than usual I guess. Yes, it was very pleasant. We Stopped in Hawaii for a day And Guam, to catch up on the time. It's easier that way. The Prime Minister knows about that. He Is such a traveller
CHOU	No, not I; But as a traveller come home For good to China, one for whom All travel is a penance now I am most proud to welcome you.

As the rest of the American party disembarks, the band strikes up. The Premier introduces the President to the Chinese official entourage, and together they review the massed ranks of the honor guard. All heads turn as they pass. While the introductions are beginning, the President begins to sing, and , as he sings, the joy of anticipated triumph becomes the terrible expectation of failure. The Chinese and American official parties in due course leave the stage. The brilliant sunshine dwindles to the light of incandescent lamps. a telephone rings twice offstage, is picked up offstage. In a moment Henry Kissinger interrupts the President to tell him that Chairman Mao wishes to meet with him.

NIXON	News has a kind of mystery: When I shook hands with Chou En-lai On this bare field outside Peking Just now, the world was listening.
CHOU	May I --
NIXON	Though we spoke quietly The eyes and ears of history Caught every gesture --
CHOU	-- introduce --
NIXON	And every word, transforming us As we, transfixed, --
CHOU	-- the Deputy Minister of Security.
NIXON	Made history. [Our shaking of hands Were shaping time. Each moment stands Out sharp and clear.
CHOU	-- Army.] May I --
NIXON	On our flight over from Shanghai
CHOU	The Minister --
NIXON	-- the countryside Looked drab and grey. "Brueghel," Pat said. "We came in peace for all mankind" I said, and I was put in mind of our Apollo astronauts Simply --
CHOU	-- of the United States
NIXON	Achieving a great human dream. We live in an unsettled time. Who are out enemies? Who are Our friends? The Eastern Hemisphere Beckoned to us, and we have flown East of the sun, west of the moon Across an ocean of distrust Filled with the bodies of our lost; The earth's Sea of Tranquility. It's prime time in the U. S. A. Yesterday night. They watch us now; The three main network's colors glow Livid through drapes onto the lawn. Dishes are washed and homework done, The dog and grandma fall asleep, A car roars past playing loud pop, Is gone. As I look down the road I know America is good At heart. An old cold warrior Piloting towards an unknown shore Through shoals. The rats begin to chew The sheets. There's murmuring below. Now there's ingratitude! My hand Is steady as a rock. A sound Like mourning doves reaches my ears, Nobody is a friend of ours. [Let's face it. If we don't succeed on this summit, our name is mud. We're not out of the woods, not yet.] The nation's heartland skips a beat As our hands shield the spinning globe From the flame-throwers of the mob. We must press on. We know we want -- WHAT? -- OH YES --
KISSINGER	Mr. President --