Journey On

Lyrics

[FATHER, spoken] It's an honor to go on an expedition with you, Admiral Peary. It's men like you who have made this country great.  [ADMIRAL PEARY, spoken] It's men like you who will keep it great.  [MATTHEW HENSON, spoken] All sails set, Admiral.  [ADMIRAL PEARY, spoken] Thank you, Mr. Henson. This is my First Officer, Mr. Matthew Henson.  [FATHER, spoken] Good evening.  [MATTHEW HENSON, spoken] Welcome aboard.  [FATHER, spoken] What's that in the distance? Such a ghostly glow! [ADMIRAL PEARY, spoken] They're called "rag ships." Immigrants from every cesspool in Western and Eastern Europe. Most of them become very patriotic Americans. They're your future customers.  [MATTHEW HENSON, spoken] My people were also brought here on ships.  [ADMIRAL PEARY, spoken] Good watch, Henson.  [FATHER, spoken] You're a brave man, whoever you are. Coming so far, expecting so much.  (sung) A salute to the man on the deck of that ship A salute to the immigrant stranger Heaven knows why you'd make such a terrible trip May your own god protect you from danger Is it freedom or love that you pray for In your guttural accent? Too late, long gone A salute to a fellow Who hasn't a chance Journey on [TATEH, spoken] If people ask, how old are you? [LITTLE GIRL, spoken] I don't answer.  [TATEH, spoken] Your name? [LITTLE GIRL, spoken] No name.  [TATEH, spoken] Where your mother is? [LITTLE GIRL, spoken] Dead.  [TATEH, spoken] This is my father. He speaks for both of us.  [LITTLE GIRL, spoken] This is my father. He speaks for both of us. Is that other ship going back home? [TATEH, spoken] No. America is our home now. America is our shtetl.  [TATEH & LITTLE GIRL, spoken] Amekhaye khlebn.  [LITTLE GIRL, spoken] Look. Someone is waving. Where is he going? [TATEH, spoken] He's a fool on a fool's journey.  (sung) You depart on a ship from a country like this Why on earth would you want to be leaving? Was it something you lost that you suddenly miss? Are you angry or possibly grieving? Do you see in my face what you've lost, sir? Are you moved by the death ship we sail upon? Well, perhaps you're a man who's in search of his heart Journey on [FATHER] Journey on [TATEH & FATHER] Two ships passing In the kinship Of the darkness— [FATHER] One going from— [TATEH] One coming to— [FATHER & TATEH] —America! Two men meeting At the moment Of a journey For a moment In the darkness We're the same [MOTHER] But what of the people Whose boundaries chafe? [FATHER] I salute you, my friend [MOTHER] Who marry so bravely And end up so safe? [TATEH] May you find what you need [MOTHER] I will be journeying here, my love [MOTHER, FATHER & TATEH] As you go [MOTHER] Journeying [TATEH] Journeying [FATHER] Journeying [MOTHER, FATHER & TATEH] On the sea We're two ships passing At a distance through the darkness [FATHER] One going from— [MOTHER & TATEH] One coming to— [MOTHER, FATHER & TATEH] —America! Strangers sharing The beginnings Of a journey [FATHER] I salute you! [TATEH] God be with you! [MOTHER] I will miss you! [MOTHER, FATHER & TATEH] In the darkness of the dawn Journey on!