Typically a librarian’s recommendation involves a book. But last night, a couple of hours before close I remembered I had a long commute to my work location today, and thought it might be nice to have some music along the way. So in a lull between patrons I purused the CD collection. Did you know that you can borrower music CDs from your local library? Check it out! The first one I picked up turned out to be a winner.
It’s done by Peter Boyer and the Philharmonic Orchestra, along with several well known actors, and it’s called “Ellis Island: The Dream of America.” I listened to part of it on my short drive home. As the music began my eyes immediately welled up; it sounded like something I would love to do with a group of musicians, interesting and heart stirring. And then the first actor spoke, and the tears slid down my cheeks. These are the words of immigrants who came to Ellis Island in the 20′s, 30′s and 40′s, read by actors of similar ethnic backgrounds. The music flows behind the words, and between the readings it swells.
When I visited Ellis Island in the spring of 2008 I listened to several recorded accounts of arrivals at the island, the hopes and dreams, the stories of loss and renewal. These are similar short versions of individual stories. Each tugs at your heart. And makes you realize how lucky we are to be here, most of us just by virtue of being born. Check your local library and see if you can borrower this CD for a bit. You won’t be sorry.
But then, I’m a sentimental sort of soul.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been to NYC, and never made it to Ellis Island. I have always wanted to go though. I’m sure it would be an incredible place to visit! My husband was just saying that there are so many places, so close to our house, that we have never seen. Isn’t it funny how tourists get to see things that the natives overlook?
I rarely check out CD’s, but I just made a list of songs to download off i-tunes….maybe I’ll look them up on my library’s website instead and save myself a few bucks!
I must admit I am very partial CD’s like this, I have just been listening to it on Amazon. Actually I am partial to any music – that is all I listen too all day
PS – Would love for you to call by my blog sometime
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Hi Dawn,
First I have to thank you enormously for your generous support of Jake! We really appreciate it and it’s going to be an even bigger help than you intended because apparently I got the estimate wrong. The actual cost is higher than what I thought it was going to be. But enough about that…
So what is your background…who in your family first came to the U.S.? Do you know why they came here and how? That’s what I got to thinking about while reading your musings on CD’s at libraries and stories from immigrants arriving at Ellis Island. – Barbara
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
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