About the Song
The Cycle (J. Webb) – A song which describes modern cosmology, including the origin and future evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the heat death of the universe. The first verse describes the current model of the origin of the universe: The Big Bang Theory. In this theory, all of space-time, matter and energy, as well as the laws of physics were created or established at the moment T=0 (the structural code of the universe was sent). All subsequent universal evolution of the universe as revealed by astronomy has taken place according to these parameters and with the raw material that existed at T=0. The force of gravity, although the weakest of the four fundamental forces, is the most important force in constructing stars and galaxies, thus govern the overall evolution of the universe. The second and third versus describe the formation of solar systems and the eventual evolution of life on at least one planet: the Earth. That life, which led to us, evolved, and became capable of understanding at least a small part of the universe. After the instrumental break the final two versus speculate on the future evolution of the universe. Recent observations indicate that the universe is not just expanding, but actually accelerating . This acceleration will eventually, if unchecked by unknown processes, lead to heat death of the universe. This is when all of the stars die out, having exhausted all of the nuclear fuel, and temperatures equalize. Life depends on temperature imbalance to exist, so the universe theoretically will become un-inhabitable at this stage. The final verse wonders if there are other universes out there where life could, or will at some point, evolve.
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Lyrics
It was long ago, billions of years in the past, when the mold, of the universe was cast
No one could witness, the wondrous event, the structural code of the universe was sent
Expanding space filled, with energy cooled, and matter was under gravity’s rule
Galaxies and stars, filled space and time, and stars flew around stars according to the universal rhyme
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Planets evolved with life and mind, Creatures searching for meaning to find
Grasping for truth and survival still, a universe of stars and planets to fill
Instrumental interlude
In the distant future, as galaxies speed up, all stars lay dying and heat death erupts Will life fade in the primordial light, And matter melts into the night
The universe its cycle past, Is a new universe ready to cast
In this new universe will life arise, or will it remain silent of living cries?
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