Download pdf - THE STATUE OF LIBERTY - Songs for Teachingsongsforteaching.com/kathleenwiley/amdream_s/08thestatueofliberty.… · THE STATUE OF LIBERTY by Kathleen Wiley The Statue of Liberty stands

THE STATUE OF LIBERTYby Kathleen Wiley

The Statue of Liberty stands at the crossroads, holding out a promise of freedom from strifeThe Statue of Liberty stands at the crossroads, offering the immigrants a better way of life.On June 21st, 1871, Auguste Bartholdi had a dreamHe sailed into New York Harbor, knowing it was here he would build ‘his Liberty’.

CHORUS:Statue of LibertyBeacon to the worldStatue of LibertyStands with hope unfurled...

The Statue of Liberty, a gift from FranceFrench sculptor, French designer, French craftsmenPaid for by the contributions of French citizensCommemorating actions of independence151 feet tall she standsAn iron and copper beacon to the azure skies...But she weighed more than 32 tonsAnd if she didn’t get help she would inwardly capsize

CHORUS:Statue of LibertyBeacon to the worldStatue of LibertyStands with hope unfurled..

To make it stand strong Gustave EiffelWas asked to make a curtain wallWhich was a new ingenious methodOf construction that would keep things standing straight and tall..

Richard Morris Hunt designed the pedestal89 feet tall was the baseBut when Liberty arrived in New YorkThe pedestal committee had egg on its face

They had not the money neededTo secure the pedestal’s completionBut a New York publisher used newspapersCalling on the common man to fill up the fund

This would take a lot of moneySo Joseph Pulitzer, owner of The World..Said, "let’s not wait for the millionaires"I will publish every donor..." And he kept his word.


October 28th, 1886Was the dedication dayEmma Lazarus’s poem was written"Give me your tired, your poor," she’d say..."Your huddled masses yearning to breathe freeThe wretched refuse of your teeming shoreSend these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to meI lift my lamp beside the golden door.."

Now as people come to our great country...Liberty stands straight and tall for them to seeShe represents a new start and freedomTo become whatever they might decide to be.
