I like to add tradition square dances, line dances and circle dances to my programs. I use dances from the book (which also has an accompaniment CD). I LOVE this book!
The Chimes of Dunkirk
Song: Away to America - Linda Williams
I can't find the sheet music or any copyright information. This site has mp3's of the song.
Reader 1: The story of the American people is a story of immigration and diversity. The United States has welcomed more immigrants than any other country -- more than 50 million in all -- and still admits almost seven hundred thousand people a year.
Reader 2, Reader 3, Reader 4: Who built America?
Reader 2: The spinner bent over her wheel.
Reader 3: The harvester swinging his scythe.
Reader 4: The sailor tugging at rugged anchor lines.
Reader 2, Reader 3, Reader 4: All these and more carved a nation from the wilderness.
Reader 2: From each man, woman, and child at work arose a special song, many songs that helped to lift the spirit and lighten the task ahead.
Reader 3: The ballad of John Henry is one of those songs. It provided a sturdy rhythm for the men at work on the new railroad.
Reader 4: You can almost see them and hear them singing as they pounded heavy spikes into the sun-baked soil!
Song: John Henry
Reader 5: Because of its catchy rhythms, “Old Dan Tucker” became a favorite piece to sing during times of hard work.
Reader 6: The tune has been arranged in hundreds of ways.
Reader 7: Slow and moody, light and fast,
All: And even as a hoedown!
Song: Old Dan Tucker
Song: Old Dan Tucker
Reader 8, Reader 9, Reader 10: (Students come forward to say what ancestor came from what country - i.e. "My grandfather came from Greece.")
All: But, no matter where they came from, now America is our home.
Reader 11: Many immigrants came to America to be free.
Reader 12: Many countries do not have freedom.
Reader 13: Their people are oppressed and have no rights at all.
Reader 14: Their citizens cannot make their own choices and decisions.
Reader 11: In some countries, citizens cannot vote.
Reader 12: In some countries, citizens do not have the freedom to speak or write whatever is on their minds.
Reader 13: In America, I can dare to dream and have my own opinions.
Reader 14: I am free to have friends. I am free to have a home.
Reader 11: I am free to have as much education as I want.
Reader 12: I am free to pray and to choose.
Reader 13: Freedom shines on every American. I have always been free.
Reader 14: And as long as I am an American,
All: I will always be free!
Reader 15: You know, I was just thinking that America really is a unique country.
Reader 16: You mean because we’re a democracy? A melting pot? A free country?
Reader 15: Well, yeah. But also because there are so many cool things that make us who we are.
Reader 17: No kidding! Like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Or turkey on Thanksgiving.
Reader 18: How about our movies and TV and radio?
Reader 16: And our music, our video games, our pizza, and let’s not forget our apple pie!
Reader 15: Or blue jeans, malls, football, fast food, freeways.
Reader 18: Broadway, The Grand Canyon, parades, amusement parks, public television.
Reader 16: Hollywood, The Smithsonian, The Rockies, The Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore.
Reader 17: Basketball, marching bands, teddy bears, cowboys, New York City!
Reader 15: Wow. We could go on and on, couldn’t we?
Reader 17: Yeah. America has got to be the greatest place in the world.
Reader 16, Reader 18: Yeah.
Reader 15: I sure do love my country!
Song: America the Beautiful - Katharine Lee Bates
