Mother Of Exiles (Lady Liberty) - click song title for free download
NOTE: This posting was originally made on 11/24/11 but was mysteriously deleted on 11/26/11 so I will repost. Ghosts in the machine – Happy Halloween!
I’ve been so taken by what’s been happening in New York City and other cities, the demonstrations that began in September and continue today. The Occupy Wall Street Movement has tapped a part of us that knows that we can do better and deserve better. It’s a kind of awakening that seems to be occurring the world over – a coming of age. Inspired by this I wrote a song, a petition to the spirit of liberty and a prayer for sustenance. Regardless of how impressive our technological advances, how staggering our achievements, we are still of one family and of one home.
A job, a home, the health and security of our loved ones mean no less today than yesterday. These basic pillars of humanity must always be honored and protected. They have been fought for by generations before us and they are being fought for today. These are the thoughts that run through my head as I sing this song. It’s called Mother Of Exiles, partly inspired by the sonnet by Emma Lazarus in 1883, which is engraved in a bronze plaque at the statue of Liberty. This song is yours, there’s no charge. Share it, sing it, make a video (as long it’s non-commercial and respectful) I’m honored to share it – let it inspire you.
Yours, Grant-Lee Phillips
Mother Of Exiles
Mother of Exiles
Light the waters
Light the shore
For the tired and poor
The huddled masses ‘cross the harbor
Hungry eyed
Cast aside once more…
Oh Lady Liberty
Long days and many mouths to feed
Don’t take away my means to make it on my own two feet
Don’t turn away
We come from fishermen and farmers
Plowed the field,
Worked the mills
But we don’t reap the grain we harvest
Or own the lands we till
Oh Lady Liberty
Long days and many mouths to feed
Don’t tell me it’s a dream to make it
We are the factories of flesh and blood
We are the souls of the assembly line
We are the casualties of greed and war
We are the working poor
We are the ninety nine…
Mother of Exiles
Light the waters
Like a sun
Abandoned ones
For tomorrow’s sons and daughters
Shine…
Shine for days to come
Oh Lady Liberty
Long days and many mouths to feed
Don’t tell me it’s a dream to make it on my own two feet
Oh Lady Liberty
Goddammit I was born to make it on my own two feet
Don’t turn away from me…
Don’t turn away from me…
Don’t turn away…
