THE AMERICAN REALITY

He’s off on his own to a world unknown
No one to carry him through
How will he withstand the tests he will face
Will he recognize the truth

Oh, why must my son be a sacrifice
To leave our Shtetel alone
Here, his faith is strong – will he ever belong
Can he kindle the flame on his own?

I’m scared and yet so brave
Going on my own
Not ready for what lies ahead
Yearning for everything back home

I’m leaving behind an entire world
Feeling so far away
Who knows what I face in this strange and foreign place
Will they recognize me when we meet someday?

I’m traveling miles and weeks over seas
Oh, take me to where I am at ease
How have I left the life I love in exchange for the unknown?
How do I leave my family before I’m really grown?

Streets of gold – send him back to me
My son is not yet ready for that harsh reality
Innocent his soul – no need to be free
Treat my child with care – a good jew let him be
In those streets of gold

Streets of gold – beckoning to me
I’m hoping to discover a new reality
Innocent my soul – no need to be free
Open up your shore so all this I can see
In those streets of gold

So I say a little prayer
And shed a silent tear
Asking for your help
Trusting that you’re there
I stand before you
Humbly making a vow
To place my will into your hands
And continue as I am now

I will not change my values
Or fall into the trap
I’ll look at things with care
How will I bridge the gap?

Streets of gold – home land of the free
You and I – we’re trapped – no! This is not reality
Burning heart and soul, never home to me
This land is corrupt – the truth we’ll never see
Not a street of gold…

There’s no milk and honey here
There’s barely any money here
Soon they will be here

To find no comfort here
Oh, what a shame for you
Who traveled oceans on this boat
How will you ever keep
Your hopes afloat?

So I say a little prayer
And shed a silent tear
Asking for your help
Trusting that you’re there

We stand before you
Humbly making a vow
To place our son into your hands
And continue as he is now

Don’t let him change his values
Or fall into the trap
Help him pass each test
So he can bridge the gap

(son)streets of gold – beckoning to me
(parents)my son is not yet ready for that harsh reality
(immigrants)you and I – we’re trapped – no! This is not reality
(son)open up your shore – (immigrants)never home to me
(parents)treat my child with care - a good jew let him be
(immigrants)the truth he’ll never see
(son) a good jew let me be
(son and parents)in those streets of gold
(immigrants) not a street of gold…
(son) where are those streets of gold
Let me be! Let me be! Let me be!