[2] The text was adapted from Octavio Paz's poem El cántaro roto (The Broken Water-Jar), and inspired by the experience of the composer witnessing a desert cloudburst.
Whitacre notates long, sustained notes with text to be spoken at random by each individual singer.
During this time, the choir begins claps, snaps, and thigh smacks in order to imitate the sound of rain.
A thunder sheet, bass drum, handbells, suspended cymbal, wind chimes, and piano contribute to the effect of a thunderstorm.
The storm gradually builds then fades, and the ending of the piece mirrors the beginning section, with the choir arpeggiating as the piano voices block chords.