LESSA'S RIDE lyrics by Anne McCaffrey, copyright 1967 music by Tania Opland, copyright 1997
 
Black, blacker, blackest, And cold beyond all frozen things. Where is between when there is naught To life but fragile dragon wings?
 
Cold as death, death-bearing Stay and die, unguided. Brave and braving, linger- This way was twice decided.
 
fleck of red in a cold night sky. drop of blood to guide them by. Turn away, Turn away, Turn, be gone. Red Star leads the riders on.
 
How shall they last the long journey Lured on but by this woven star? How can they find that which they seek And make their way home from afar?
 
What can they say to bring forward The weyrfolk from another time? Is hope merely illusion That clings to life in desperate minds?
 
Yet promise lives by those of heart- Salvation lies within the song, Revealed by Lessa, Weyrwoman -- There will be five weyrs strong!