Song from GaFilk

GaFilk is really due a longer con report but for now I'll just say that one of the highlights of the weekend was getting to perform my new song The Golden Door with my friend Lauren (a new filker; this was her first con) onstage, with the lovely and talented Judi Miller providing ASL interpretation on the fly in the inimitable fashion that won her a well deserved Best Performer Pegasus Award.

It is well known among filkers that you will forget what you are doing if you watch Judi during your performance, so I am very glad that Alice kindly recorded it on Lauren's phone, and Lauren uploaded it to YouTube so that I could watch it now.

I don't know how to imbed it, so I'll just put a link to it here: YouTube video of The Golden Door.

The Golden Door
lyrics by Catherine Faber and Emma Lazarus
melody by Catherine Faber 2015

My parents came from Holland, a better life to find,
Full of hope, as many came before.
In the flower of their youth they left their families behind
To make a new together on this shore.
Two among the thousands who sought a wider sky
Where Liberty has made a welcome here;
She stands in New York Harbor and holds this message high
Its meaning somewhat tarnished, but still clear:

   Give me your tired your poor
   Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
   The wretched refuse of your teaming shore
   Send these the homeless tempest tossed to me
   I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

Some came here for adventure, and some to look for gold
And some in chains, with all that that entails.
From all our imperfections, a nation did unfold,
For home is where the heart at last prevails.
Words in every language, skin of every hue
Where these got slender welcome, that's our shame,
For folk of every country gave Liberty her due
Each brought their dish to potluck as they came

America is mighty, too strong to yield to fear
Too strong to bow beneath some bloodstained thumb.
People fleeing carnage should find safe harbor here
Their children strengthen what we will become.
Let voice on voice be lifted in welcome and in song
Immigrants have built this country's crown.
We still proclaim the message that stood so high so long.
Nor will Liberty's proud tablet tumble down.

Give me your tired your poor
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
The wretched refuse of your teaming shore
Send these the homeless tempest tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.