Major Tom (Space Oddity)
Standing there alone,
the ship is waiting.
All systems are go.
“Are you sure?”
Control is not convinced,
but the computer
has the evidence.
No need to abort.
The countdown starts.
Watching in a trance,
the crew is certain.
Nothing left to chance,
all is working.
Trying to relax
up in the capsule
“Send me up a drink.”
jokes Major Tom.
The count goes on…
4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us
drifting, falling.
Floating weightless
calling, calling home…
Second stage is cut.
We’re now in orbit.
Stabilizers up,
running perfect.
Starting to collect
requested data.
“What will it affect
when all is done?”
thinks Major Tom.
Back at ground control,
there is a problem.
“Go to rockets full.”
Not responding.
“Hello Major Tom.
Are you receiving?
Turn the thrusters on.
We’re standing by.”
There’s no reply.
4, 3, 2, 1
Earth below us
drifting, falling.
Floating weightless
calling, calling home…
Across the stratosphere,
a final message:
“Give my wife my love.”
Then nothing more.
Far beneath the ship,
the world is mourning.
They don’t realize
he’s alive.
No one understands,
but Major Tom sees.
“Now the light commands
this is my home,
I’m coming home.”
Earth below us
drifting, falling.
Floating weightless
coming home…
Earth below us
drifting, falling.
Floating weightless
coming, coming
home…
home…..
This piece is based on the 1980′s song Major Tom, by Peter Schilling. But strangely, it’s also kind of based on the David Bowie song Space Oddity, which is, of course, the original Major Tom that Peter Schilling used as inspiration. When I first started the piece I was thinking the Bowie Space Oddity version, but then the Schilling Major Tom lyrics seemed to fit better. You may listen to either song when viewing this piece. 
I used photos I took at the Abrams Plane-arium. Bonus points if you get that spelling/reference.
The Bowie lyrics:
Ground Control to Major Tom Ground Control to Major Tom Take your protein pills and put your helmet on
Ground Control to Major Tom Commencing countdown, engines on Check ignition and may God’s love be with you
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Lift-off
This is Ground Control to Major Tom You’ve really made the grade And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear Now it’s time to leave the capsule if you dare
“This is Major Tom to Ground Control I’m stepping through the door And I’m floating in a most peculiar way And the stars look very different today
For here Am I sitting in a tin can Far above the world Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing I can do
Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles I’m feeling very still And I think my spaceship knows which way to go Tell my wife I love her very much (she knows!) Ground Control to Major Tom Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear me, Major Tom? Can you hear…
Am I floating round my tin can Far above the Moon Planet Earth is blue And there’s nothing I can do?
