Ellis Island 1892-1954

THINKING OF ALL THOSE BRAVE MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM AFRICA WHO TRIED AND TRY TO COME TO EUROPE BY ALL MEANS, AS IT WAS A PROMISE LAND, WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK!!!

A virtual trip to Ellis island

Ellis Island, in Upper New York Bay, was the gateway for millions of immigrants to the United States as the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station from 1892 until 1954. The island was greatly expanded with land reclamation between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the site of Fort Gibson and later a naval magazine. The island was made part of theStatue of Liberty National Monument in 1965, and has hosted a museum of immigration since 1990. A 1998 United States Supreme Court decision found most of the island to be part of New Jersey. The south side of the island, home to the Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital, is closed to the general public and the object of restoration efforts spearheaded by Save Ellis Island. The island has been closed to the public since Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 with re-opening date projected for 2014.

On the first day of January,

Eighteen Ninety-Two,

They opened Ellis Island and they let

the people through.

and the first to cross the threshold

of that Isle Of Hope And Tears,

was Annie Moore from Ireland

who was only fifteen years.

Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears,
Isle of Freedom, Isle of Fears,
but it's not the Isle you left behind.
that Isle of Hunger, Isle of Pain,
Isle you'll never see again
but the Isle of Home is always on your mind.

In a little bag she carried
all her past and history,
and her dreams for the future
in the Land of Liberty.
And courage is the passport
when your old world disappears
but there's no future in the past
when you're fifteen years

Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears,

Isle of Freedom, Isle of Fears,

but it's not the Isle you left behind.

that Isle of Hunger, Isle of Pain,

Isle you'll never see again

but the Isle of Home is always on your mind.

When they closed Down Ellis Island

in Nineteen Forty-Three,

Seventeen Million people

had come there for sanctuary.

And in springtime when I came here

and I stepped onto its piers,

I thought of how it must have been

when you're fifteen years.

Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears,
Isle of Freedom, Isle of Fears,
but it's not the Isle you left behind.
that Isle of Hunger, Isle of Pain,
Isle you'll never see again
but the Isle of Home is always on your mind.

Ellis Island, now a 27.5-acre site located just minutes off the southern tip of Manhattan Island, New York, is likely to connect with more of the American population than any other spot in the country. It has been estimated that nearly half of all Americans today can trace their family history to at least one person who passed through the Port of New York at Ellis Island. Now, nearly a century since the peak years of immigration, Ellis Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the National Park Service. 

All my loving... (1963, Beatles - 1993, Manolos in a London disco)

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you
Tomorrow I'll miss you 
Remember I'll always be true

And then while I'm away 
I'll write home every day
And I'll send all my loving to you 

I'll pretend that I'm kissing
The lips I am missing
And hope that my dreams will come true

And then while I'm away

I'll write home every day 

And I'll send all my loving to you

All my loving, I will send to you

All my loving, darling I'll be true

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you 

Tomorrow I'll miss you

Remember I'll always be true

And then while I'm away 

I'll write home everyday 

And I'll send all my loving to you 

All my loving, I will send to you 

All my loving, darling I'll be true 

All my loving, all my loving

Ooh, all my loving, I will send to you

1931: dream a little dream of me (Armstrong and Fitzgerald)

Stars shining bright above you

Night breezes seem to whisper, I love you

Birds singin' in the sycamore trees

Dream a little dream of me

Say nighty-night and kiss me

Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me

While I'm alone and blue as can be

Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longin' to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you

Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you

But in your dreams whatever they be

Dream a little dream of me

School. SUPERTRAMP (1974)

Original song of the 'Crime of the Century' album by the British band Supertramp. Recorded in 1974.

I can see you in the morning when you go to school 

Don't forget your books, you know you've got to learn the golden rule, 

Teacher tells you stop your play and get on with your work 

And be like Johnnie - too-good, well don't you know he never shirks 

- he's coming along! 

After School is over you're playing in the park 

Don't be out too late, don't let it get too dark 

They tell you not to hang around and learn what life's about 

And grow up just like them - won't you let it work it out 

- and you're full of doubt 

Don't do this and don't do that 

What are they trying to do?- Make a good boy of you 

Do they know where it's at? 

Don't criticize, they're old and wise 

Do as they tell you to 

Don't want the devil to 

Come out and put your eyes 

Maybe I'm mistaken expecting you to fight 

Or maybe I'm just crazy, I don't know wrong from right 

But while I am still living, I've just got this to say 

It's always up to you if you want to be that 

Want to see that 

Want to see that way 

- you're coming along!

Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) - School Live 9 7 2011 Bospop Festival Weert Netherlands

Enola Gay (O.m.d.1980), a pacifist song. August 1945, atomic bombing of Japan.

Enola gay, you should have stayed at home yesterday Aha words can't describe the feeling and the way you lied These games you play, they're gonna end it more than tears someday Aha Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way It's 8:15, and that's the time that it's always been We got your message on the radio, conditions normal and you're coming home Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today Aha this kiss you give, it's never ever gonna fade away Enola Gay, it shouldn't ever have to end this way Aha Enola Gay, it shouldn't fade in our dreams away It's 8:15, and that's the time that it's always been We got your message on the radio, conditions normal and you're coming home Enola Gay, is mother proud of little boy today Aha this kiss you give, it's never ever gonna fade away 

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (1980)

The atomic bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan were conducted by the United States during the final stages of World War II in 1945. The two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.

Following a firebombing campaign that destroyed many Japanese cities, the Allies prepared for a costly invasion of Japan. The war in Europe ended when Nazi Germany signed its instrument of surrender on 8 May, but the Pacific War continued. Together with the United Kingdom and the Republic of China, the United States called for a surrender of Japan in the Potsdam Declaration on 26 July 1945, threatening Japan with "prompt and utter destruction". The Japanese governmentignored this ultimatum. American airmen dropped Little Boy on the city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, followed by Fat Manover Nagasaki on 9 August.

Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000–166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000–80,000 in Nagasaki, with roughly half of the deaths in each city occurring on the first day.

 The Hiroshima prefecture health department estimated that, of the people who died on the day of the explosion, 60% died from flash or flame burns, 30% from falling debris and 10% from other causes. During the following months, large numbers died from the effect of burns, radiation sickness, and other injuries, compounded by illness. In a US estimate of the total immediate and short term cause of death, 15–20% died from radiation sickness, 20–30% from burns, and 50–60% from other injuries, compounded by illness. In both cities, most of the dead were civilians, although Hiroshima had a sizeable garrison.

Steve Biko's death, 1977 (Peter Gabriel's song, 1986)

Song about Steve Biko, a noted black South African anti-apartheid activist. Biko had been arrested by the South African police in late August 1977. After being held in custody for several days, he was interrogated in room 619 of the Walmer Street prison in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Following the interrogation, during which he sustained serious head injuries, Biko was transferred to a prison in Pretoria, where he died shortly afterwards, on 12 September 1977. 

Gabriel often plays the song at the end of concerts, encouraging the audience to join in the singing, and eventually leaving only the drummer on stage. The album version of the song is bookended by a recording of the South African song "Senzeni Na?" as sung at Biko's funeral. It was first played on South African TV and radio stations after apartheid was abolished in 1990.

September '77Port Elizabeth weather fineIt was business as usualIn police room 619Oh Biko, Biko, because BikoOh Biko, Biko, because BikoYihla Moja, Yihla Moja-The man is dead

When I try to sleep at nightI can only dream in redThe outside world is black and whiteWith only one colour deadOh Biko, Biko, because BikoOh Biko, Biko, because BikoYihla Moja, Yihla Moja-The man is dead
You can blow out a candleBut you can't blow out a fireOnce the flames begin to catchThe wind will blow it higherOh Biko, Biko, because BikoYihla Moja, Yihla Moja-The man is dead

And the eyes of the world arewatching nowwatching now

Peter Brian Gabriel (born 13 February 1950) is an English singer, musician, songwriter and activist who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock band GenesisInspired by the social activism he encountered in his work with Amnesty, in 1992 Gabriel co-founded WITNESS, a non-profit group that equips, trains and supports locally-based organizations worldwide to use video and the internet in human rights documentation and advocacy.

Youssou N'Dour (French pronunciation: ​[jusu nˈduʁ]; born 1 October 1959) is a Senegalese singer, percussionist, songwriter, composer, occasional actor, businessman and a politician. 
In Senegal, N'Dour became a powerful cultural icon, actively involved in social issues. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela. He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour collaborating with Lou Reed on a version of the Peter Gabriel song Biko which was produced byRichard James Burgess and featured on the Amnesty International benefit album The Secret Policeman's Third Ball. He worked with the United Nations and UNICEF, and he started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and to connect Senegalese communities around the world.

one more night - Maroon 5

Amy Winehouse two year's absence...

Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983-23 July 2011) was an English singer and songwriter known for her deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul, jazz, ska and reggae.

BACK TO BLACK

"Back To Black"

He left no time to regret

Kept his dick wet

With his same old safe bet

Me and my head high

And my tears dry

Get on without my guy

You went back to what you knew

So far removed from all that we went through

And I tread a troubled track

My odds are stacked

I'll go back to black

We only said goodbye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her

And I go back to.....

I go back to us

I love you much

It's not enough

You love blow and I love puff

And life is like a pipe

And I'm a tiny penny rolling up the walls inside

We only said goodbye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her

And I go back to

We only said goodbye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her

And I go back to

Black, black, black, black, black, black, black,

I go back to

I go back to

We only said good-bye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her

And I go back to

We only said good-bye with words

I died a hundred times

You go back to her

And I go back to black

Homage to Nelson Mandela...

... on his 95 birthday!!!!

(2008)

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Xhosa pronunciation:   [xoˈliːɬaɬa manˈdeːla]; born 18 July 1918) is a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and politician who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the first black South African to hold the office, and the first elected in a fully representative, multiracial election. His government focused on dismantling the legacy of apartheid through tackling institutionalised racism, poverty and inequality, and fostering racial reconciliation. Politically an African nationalist and democratic socialist, he served as the President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 1991 to 1997.
Mandela served 27 years in prison, first on Robben Island, and later in Pollsmoor Prison and Victor Verster Prison. 

Don't you know 
They're talkin' bout a revolution 
It sounds like a whisper 
Don't you know 
They're talkin' about a revolution 
It sounds like a whisper 
While they're standing in the welfare lines 

Crying at the doorsteps of those armies of salvation 
Wasting time in the unemployment lines 
Sitting around waiting for a promotion 

Poor people gonna rise up 

And get their share 

Poor people gonna rise up 

And take what's theirs 

Don't you know 
You better run, run, run
Oh I said you better 
Run, run, run

Finally the tables are starting to turn 
Talkin' bout a revolution


Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1964. She was raised by her mother, who recognized Tracy's love of music and, despite not having much money, bought her a ukulele when she was just three.