Journey On

[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!