Live performance at Palais des Beaux-Arts, Brussels on 3 June 2012 chorus: Octopus Symphony Chorus orchestra: Le Concert d'Anvers conductor: Bart Van Reyn soprano: Ida Falk Winland tenor: Yves Saelens bass: Birger Radde more info: www.octopusensembles.be ARIA Simon (bass): The ploughman is already hastening merrily to the field; he strides down the long furrows, whistling behind the plough. Measuring his paces, he strews the seed which, hidden in the trusty soil, will soon a golden harvest yield. RECITATIVE Lucas (tenor): The labourer has fulfilled his task, sparing himself no pains or toil. He looks to nature's hand for his reward and prays that heaven may grant it. TRIO & CHORUS Be gracious now, O gentle heaven, open up and shower blessings down upon our land. Send thy dew to refresh the earth! Send rain to water the furrows! Let thy breezes softly blow, let thy sun shine bright and clear! Then shall we in abundance thrive and praise thee for thy goodness. Be gracious now, O gentle heaven, etc. RECITATIVE Hannah (soprano): Our prayer is heard, the mild west wind warms and fills the air with moisture. Rainclouds form; and now they open, showering upon the earth nature's jewels and riches.