America, America 

In nineteen hundred and thirty six 

My Papa left his home 

He had to get away from there or die 

He sailed across the sea 

For a brand new destiny 

Papa was my family’s first American 

 

America, America 

That’s where he had to be 

America, America 

He shared its grace with me 

For I am what he came here for 

And I am what became 

Of Papa’s journey to this blessed land 

 

In nineteen hundred and thirty nine 

My mama left her home 

She had to get away from there or die 

She sailed across the sea 

Without means or family 

Arrived alone, oh so alone, but still alive 

 

America, America 

That’s where she had to be 

America, America 

She shared its grace with me 

For I am what she came here for 

And I am what became 

Of Mama’s journey to this blessed land 

 

I hope that what I am today 

Does honor to the dream 

I hope that what I’m doing 

Makes them proud 

I hope I haven’t stomped upon the hard times and the tears 

I hope that what I’m singing is their song! 

 

This land was never perfect 

But it was built upon an idea 

Of freedom and respect for all who show up on its shores 

We have to keep a light 

Burning steady, strong and bright 

We’re a haven for the suffering ones who need a home 

 

America, America 

That’s where I want to be 

America, America 

Let’s share it gracefully 

For that is what we are all about 

It’s the ground where we all stand 

We’re all immigrants who’ve journeyed from foreign land 

We’re all refugees who’ve journeyed to a foreign land 

It’s a miracle we’ve made it to the promise of this land!

 

Words & Music by Keith Torgan for Max Siesel and Anne Stein Siesel

I'm the first of my family to be born in the United States. Both of my parents immigrated from Germany in the 1930's to escape persecution and almost certain death. As I am a musician I created a program called Now We Can Sing about the experience of Jewish musicians in Germany after Hitler rose to power in 1933 -- you can find info about it right here on this website.

In order to generate an America more empathetic to the struggle and worth of the ‘other’ we have initiated this blog as well as a nationwide community of ‘events’ at which people can tell the tale of their family's first Americans by doing something as simple as sharing an old family recipe or as complicated as creating and performing an original song or story”

We all have a story to tell about the first Americans in our family and this interactive blog is an opportunity for you to share your story. I believe that the more we can share about how we got here the better chance we all have of respecting and being kind to one another. Keith and I look forward to reading and sharing your First American Stories. 

Looking forward to meeting you and your family in your story,

Barbara Siesel