“Sometimes, you have a feeling but you don’t know how to explain it for other people. But when you sing, you feel comfortable and like everything gets out of your heart.”
—Esmat, 10th Grade, Northeast High
We were honored to partner with HIAS PA on this storytelling and songwriting program. HIAS PA provides supportive services to immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Most of the participants in the songwriting program — all teenagers — had been in the U.S. for less than three years and came from countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Venezuela and Ukraine.
LiveConnections teaching artists Ami Yares and Blair Bodine led Saturday sessions on collaborative songwriting, focused on building creativity and confidence, while also supporting English language learning. The sessions provided a safe and supportive environment for students using a trauma-informed approach to songwriting. Support and English language learning guidance was provided by the staff of HIAS PA.
Through music, students had opportunities to share their unheard stories, develop valuable communication skills, connect with one another, and build bridges of cross-cultural understanding.
Project-specific support has been provided by the Douty Foundation, The Horner Foundation Sheila Fortune Foundation, Looking Out Foundation and the Samuel F. Fels Fund (2017-2018).
Listen to "Diamond"
The song “Diamond” came from a story that program participant Salawat, an 11th grader originally from Sudan, shared as a participant in a panel discussion after a performance of The Diary of Anne Frank at People’s Light (directed by David Bradley, one of the teaching artists for this residency).
Salawat told of standing up for her right to wear her hijab in her middle school, after the principal had told her she wasn’t allowed to wear it. The song became an anthem about self-respect and standing up for who you are, even in hard times.
“I think the message of the song is don’t give up on something that you want, especially your religion,” Salawat said. “It’s your dream. And it’s your life. Nobody can stop you.”
2018-2019 Song Lyrics
“Let Music Heal Your Soul”
lyrics by Salawat A., Jafar A., Nestor C., Fadi K., Samaa K., Omran M., Galyna R.
Let music heal your soul
There’s a story to be told
As the journey of life unfolds
I am not alone
I love the people who support me
I love the people who accept me
I love my family
And I love you and me
Love is a simple word
But it means so much more
To share and care, to help and hold
Like water to my soul
I love the people who support me
I love the people who accept me
I love my family
And I love you and me
I love the people who support me
I love the people who accept me
I love my family
And I love you and me
And I love you and me
And I love you and me
“When The World Comes Around”
lyrics by Salawat A., Jafar A., Nestor C., Fadi K., Samaa K., Omran M., Galyna R.
When the world goes around and comes around
When the ocean goes out and returns
When the rains fall down flowers blossom
When the world comes around
No more war, no more pain, no more suffering
And we’ll sing it again
No more war, no more pain, no more suffering
When the world goes around and comes around
When the ocean goes out and returns
When the rains fall down flowers blossom
When the world comes around
La alharb لا الحرب
Bilʹshe nemaye viyny Більше немає війни
No más guerra
And we’ll sing it again
La alharb لا الحرب
Bilʹshe nemaye viyny Більше немає війни
No más guerra
When the world goes around and comes around
When the ocean goes out and returns
When the rains fall down flowers blossom
When the world comes around
Bring on the joy, bring on the peace, bring on the happiness
And we’ll sing it again
Bring on the joy, bring on the peace, bring on the happiness
I can feel it coming
Something here is changing
It’s a new beginning
When the world comes around
I can feel it coming
Something here is changing
It’s a new beginning
When the world comes around
When the world comes around (8x)
“This Land Is Your Land”
lyrics by Salawat A., Jafar A., Nestor C., Fadi K., Samaa K., Omran M., Galyna R.
This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me
As I went walking that ribbon of highway
I saw above me that endless skyway
And saw below me that golden valley
This land was made for you and me
This land is your land, this land is my land
From Fox Chase neighborhood to Roosevelt Boulevard
From the Delaware River to the Schuylkill waters
This land was made for you and me
I wake up early, put on my khaki’s
Wait for the school bus, it’s snaking towards me
“Where is your trans pass?” The driver asks me
This bus was made for you and me
This land is your land, this land is my land
From Fox Chase neighborhood to Roosevelt Boulevard
From the Delaware River to the Schuylkill waters
This land was made for you and me
As I went riding that public transit
I saw inside me that endless journey
I saw beside me the people dancing
This land was made for you and me
This land was made for you and me
2017-2018 Song Lyrics
“LONELY BIRD”
I was afraid
I didn’t know where to go
When the bell rang, When the bell rang
Drowning in words
I went round and around
When the bell rang, when the bell rang
I was the only bird
Sitting in my nest alone
Singing by myself
I couldn’t speak back
All I knew was yes and no
When the bell rang, when the bell rang
The flock heard me
No one spoke my language
When the bell rang, when the bell rang
I was the only bird
Sitting in my nest alone
Singing by myself
Infinity friend… someone dancing
Infinity friend… I felt stronger
Infinity friend… there were two of us
Infinity friend
I’m not the only bird
Sitting in my nest alone
Someone’s singing by my side
Someone’s singing by my side
“DIAMOND”
I want to wear it, I want to wear it
I am a diamond
I shine like starlight, Through the darkness, Of the night
I want to see it, I want to see it
I am flying
Like a kite, Like a wish, Like a legend
It’s my choice
It’s my life
Because I’m me
You can’t be me
I want to feel it, I want to feel it
I am a tree
I am strong, And swaying, In the wind
CHORUS
Respect comes first
You can’t stop me, It’s my right to be strong (2x)
To save myself….
I want to dream it, I want to dream it
I am a planet
High in the sky, I can take you, Anywhere
END ON CHORUS
“I WANT TO BE FREE”
I need, I need to focus on my life
I want to be free
I need, I need to help the children learn
They want to be free
I need, I need to make my family proud
Because they love me
I need, I need to focus on my life
Because I want to be free
I want to be safe
I want to be happy
To live my life
REPEAT:
I need, I need to focus on my life
I want to be free
I need, I need to help the children learn
They want to be free
I need, I need to make my family proud
Because they love me
I need, I need to focus on my life
Because I want to be free
I want to be safe
I want to be happy
To live my life!
About Our Partners
HIAS PA
Driven by the Jewish value of “welcoming the stranger,” HIAS Pennsylvania provides legal, resettlement, citizenship, and supportive services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from all backgrounds in order to ensure their fair treatment and full integration into American society. HIAS Pennsylvania advocates for just and inclusive practices.
All the students that participate in the “Immigrant Songs” residency are also enrolled in HIAS PA’s academic enrichment program which provides homework help, English lessons, and college and career readiness mentoring for refugee and immigrant teens attending public high schools in Northeast Philadelphia.
Thanks to our supporters
Project-specific support has been provided by the Douty Foundation, The Horner Foundation Sheila Fortune Foundation, Looking Out Foundation and the Samuel F. Fels Fund (2017-2018).
We’re grateful for the numerous foundations, corporations and individuals who support our programs. See a complete list here.
Project Team
Ami Yares, songwriter & LiveConnections teaching artist
Blair Bodine, songwriter, LiveConnections teaching artist & LiveConnections Director of Development
David Bradley, LiveConnections Founding Director
Valerie Harteg, HIAS Refugee Education Coordinator
Kinan Abou-afach, cello (2018)
Barb Adams, mixing and mastering (2018)
