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about

This song was inspired by the work of Dr. Regina DeWitt, a physicist at Oklahoma State University. She uses a technique called luminescence dating to help determine the ages of archeological dig sites. The method involves measuring the amount of radiation damaged accumulated over time in the crystalline grains of a soil sample. The song describes this process from the point of view of a grain of sand.

lyrics

I am a small grain of sand
I am a piece of the land
A crystal of quartz; A time-piece of sorts
Absorbing the energy at hand
A patient and ancient grain
of sand

Once I was blocked from the sun
My time as a clock had begun
Each radiant spark that strikes in the dark
Knocks one more electron undone
I trap them. I store them one
by one

Now I am lifted away from my site
Suddenly dazzled with blinding blue light
My trapped electrons all flow back where they belong
They glow as they go
You count the photons; You calculate my dose
Your machine lets you know
How many millennia I spent collecting
Electrons for you
Now I am reset and waiting for darkness
To start me anew

I am a small grain of sand
I am a piece of the land
A crystal of quartz; A time-piece of sorts
Absorbing the energy at hand
A patient and ancient grain
of sand

credits

from Songs From the Science Frontier, released November 11, 2010
Monty Harper: vocals, acoustic guitar
Rob "Dr. Rock" Martin: drums, percussion
Chris "Boom" Wiser: keyboards
Dave Spindle: bass
Produced by Chris Wiser
Recorded at Bell Labs Recording Studio, Norman, OK
Additional recording at 20 Sparrows Recording Service, OKC, OK
Engineered by Trent Bell
Mastered by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios
Cover design by Monty Harper and Paul Fleming
Funded through Kickstarter.com
Boom and Dr. Rock appear courtesy of the Sugar Free Allstars

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Monty Harper Stillwater, Oklahoma

Monty Harper is a children's musician in Stillwater, OK. He performs for elementary schools and libraries, helps kids write their own songs in workshops and residencies, does informal science education, and writes songs for clients.

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