Thirty Two Minutes Past the Hour, Apollo 11 and Our Latest Video
Following in the trajectories of Apollos 8 and 10, the crew of Apollo 11 lifted off from Florida on July 16th, 1969 at 9:32 AM Eastern Standard Time - or as NASA announcer Jack King stated: at Thirty Two Minutes Past the Hour. The mission this time was not only to fly to the Moon, but to walk on it.
The crew, Edwin Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins had the entire World watching them – and they knew it. Their mission was the realization of John F. Kennedy’s vision to send people to the moon and return them safely to Earth, before the decade was out. It was also the outcome of the most significant scientific and technological effort ever undertaken.
On July 20th, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface and said: “That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” The world watched in awe from their television sets. Aldrin and Armstrong carried out their lunar surface mission, lifted off from the moon on July 21st, re-joined Michael Collins in lunar orbit, and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24th.
They became instant global heroes and were given a major ticker tape parade in New York City. It was a very big deal. Our video: “Thirty Two Minutes Past the Hour” celebrates this achievement, now 50 years behind us. And it is indeed worth celebrating!
Thirty Two Minutes Past the Hour (One Small Step)
We had lift-off at 32 minutes past the hour; The plume was blinding, a full rocket shower; Saturn V crept above the pad, then cleared the tower; And Apollo headed for orbit at incredible power.
Houston tells 11 that all systems are go; They're going to the moon - didn't you know; It's a real spectacle, a 40 billion dollar show; With envy, Moscow watches it's mighty space foe.
After earth orbit, it's a go for TLI; Point to the moon, far from Earth's blue sky; There's always that risk - and no time to say good-bye; But excitement overpowers as the moon draws nigh.
The lunar orbit at last, two climb into the LEM; Collins is all alone, perhaps wishing to be with them; Michael, Neil and Buzz are the crème de la crème; Apollo 11 must succeed - a true engineering gem.
The engine kicks up moon dust, Armstrong's heart begins to pound; The lander's near the surface, Tranquility must be found; Thirty seconds of fuel, Neil has to put it on the ground; "Houston… the Eagle has landed" - a distant, empowering sound.
We came from planet Earth, we came in peace, for all of human kind.
The technical jargon flows, soon they'll step out the door; The world waits nervously, they've never seen this before; Hearts echo excitement and the emotions want to pour; Once Neil steps off the ladder, he'll be famous for evermore.
From the ladder to the surface, a cold powder gray; July twenty, nineteen sixty nine, Oh, what a day; Armstrong's distant voice, perhaps not sure what to say; Has to capture the moment - there are feelings to convey.
It wasn't just the energy of the space race grind; It wasn't to exploit or make some profitable find; It was a fulfilled dream for which the brave longed and pined; "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
On December 21st, 1968, Apollo 8 lifted off from Florida on a bold voyage. Destination: the Moon. At that time, no one had ever flown out of Earth’s gravity, let alone orbit another celestial body. Yet this was Apollo 8’s daring mission.
There was no lunar module on-board. The life boat that was used for Apollo 13 simply wasn’t there for Apollo 8. But astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders reached lunar orbit on December 24th, broadcasting a Christmas Eve message and capturing the first ever picture of an Earthrise – one of the most famous photographs of the twentieth century.
The crew successfully splashed down on December 27th, 1968. It was a significant and highly positive event at the end of a very difficult year for the United States. The mission demonstrated great technological prowess – and provided a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the world. Fifty years later, Apollo 8 remains something worth remembering.
Turn Off the Heat
Turn Off the Heat, from the album Cool Down Now, is a song and video about climate change and its potential impacts. While technology is a critical part of society, a key to moving forward successfully is to shift both the attitudes and the technologies of the past to reduce climate change risks. None of this is easy. But we do have responsibility to ourselves, other living creatures and future generations to create positive change.
Run With What's Left [ Shit Happens]
Run with What's Left is about dealing with all the things that happen in life, accepting them - and running with what you have left in you. Perhaps this has less meaning for a 20 something year old; but it starts to mean more as the years add up.
The first verse is about a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who struggles to make his way, in spite of the negative odds.
The second verse is about privilege, followed by the school of hard knocks.
The third verse is about the pursuit of power, and its inevitable misuse.
The subtitle for the song is "Shit Happens". It does; and then people need to consolidate their energies, maintain perspective and move forward.
That's what RWWL is all about.
Credits
Run With What's Left by The Network Man. Performed by Etienne Gibeault, featuring Marie Lefebvre.
Radio Play
Run With What's Left was featured on CKCU FM's 93.1 show Welcome To My World on August 14th 2018. It can be heard on demand at this link or by clicking on the logo below. The song starts at 57:36. A big thank you to Shelley Ann Morris and Kim Kilpatrick for their unwavering support of The Network Man.
I've Got American Blues
The political situation in the United States has proven to be of great interest to many people and evokes numerous perspectives. We hope you find this song entertaining. Be sure to check out the pictures in the musical bridge which bring out the vast expanse of America.
Radio Play
"I've Got American Blues" was featured on CKCU FM's 93.1 show Welcome To My World on July 10th 2018. It can be heard on demand at this link or by clicking on the logo below. The song starts at 9:35. A big thank you to Shelley Ann Morris and Kim Kilpatrick for their unwavering support of The Network Man.
Canada 150: The Video - Looking Back to 2017
The Network Man was pleased to share our video: "Canada 150: The Video", in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the country in 2017. We captured a century and a half of Canadian history in a fast-moving sesquicentennial anthem, carefully illustrated with 150 images that bring out the richness of the nation. The response was encouraging and we thank all our viewers.
O Canada, Canada One Five O O Canada, Canada Cent Cinquante
True North, strong and free From sea to sea to sea True North strong and free So much to see and be
Charlottetown, Confederation, old John A Macdonald, Cartier, the CP Railway
Alexander Graham Bell, phone today Manitoba, O Canada, Calixa Lavallée
Last spike made at Eagle Pass Banff Park created to make it last
Wilfrid Laurier he carries the weight Klondike Gold back in 1898
Marconi radio, Signal Hill, St-John’s Add Alberta and Saskatchewan
Anne of Green Gables, oh it reads so well A brand new navy, and ocean swells
Vimy Ridge, Halifax, a long long war Peace and order are finally in store
Insulin, Banting and Charlie Best Famous Five, The Group of Seven’s quest
Dionne quints and Emily Carr Country prepares for a Second World War
Big manufacturing across this land And on Juno beach, we took a stand
O Canada, Canada One Five O O Canada, Canada Cent Cinquante
NATO and the little big country that could Newfoundland in 49, Joey Smallwood
Howe, Richard and the Arrow's fate The St Lawrence seaway opens the lakes
First Nations vote, Medicare, CPP Canadian Flag, Maple Leaf so free
Subway, Centennial and Expo Stompin’ Tom, PM meets John and Yoko
Henderson’s goal and Anik 1 Montreal's big Olympic run
Lesage, Trudeau, Levesque and Clark Wayne and Shuster just for a lark
The Charter, Gretzky and Terry Fox Canadarm and the space shuttle rocks
The Hip Celine-Dion and Bailey gold National-Aboriginal-Day, stories are told
Nunavut-NWT, a land so vast Vancouver Crosby victory-goal at last
A new PM has the country's keys The future to unfold, a sight to be seen
Credits
Written by The Network Man. Performance by Etienne Gibeault featuring Marie Lefebvre.
Recognition
The Network Man would like to thank Lorraine Gibeault and Marie Lefebvre for their support during this project. We would also like to thank all those who stuck with us throughout the creative process and provided valuable feedback. Special thanks to Louise Bergeron, Don MacKenzie and Andrew Thompson for their lyrical input, and to Jason and Sarah Rusmisel for their suggestion of the loon at the end of the song.
Interviews
Scott and Etienne did an interview with CBC Radio 1 PEI on May 30th, 2017 which was featured on their afternoon drive home show 'Mainstreet' with Angela Walker. They wrote an excellent story about it, entitled:
'This is where it all started': Duo writes theme song for sesquicentennial. Group called The Network Man, including Island native, crams 150 years of history into 3-minute song.
The Network Man were also interviewed on SiriusXM station 167 "Canada Now", on June 16th 2017, by Jeff Sammut as part of his show "Canada Talks".
Scott and Etienne were first interviewed about their new Canada 150 song by Shelley Ann Morris. The interview was featured on the CKCU FM 93.1 show Welcome To My World on Tuesday February 28th, 2017. It can be heard on demand at this link or by clicking on the logo below. The interview starts around 24:19.
Albums by The Network Man
Click on the cover images below to explore each album.
Album by Etienne Gibeault
Who is The Network Man?
The Network Man: Etienne Gibeault and Scott MacKenzie.
