We Came Searching for a Home
Immigrant voices
For SATB chorus a cappella
2025
Texts taken from Ellis Island Archives, with additional fragments by Chief Standing Bear, Khalil Gibran, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Emma Lazarus
Music by Juhi Bansal (Revised 3‐10‐25)
Program note
When conductor Matthew Robertson asked me to write a piece centered on immigrant voices, I found myself trying to find a unifying element tying together the diversity of immigrant stories. I read records and ledgers from Ellis and Angel Islands and archival newspaper accounts of why people made dangerous, terrifying journeys to the New World. I read poetry and graffiti from walls of detention centers and speeches from those asserting their basic humanity and right to equal treatment while being denied both by those in power. I thought about my own experiences as an immigrant, the combined fear and hope and uncertainty that drew me forwards to a new place.
I realized early in my reading that there really is no unified voice of immigrants. We have come from a hundred different places for an infinite number of individual reasons, united only in our search for hope and a better life. Most of the time, we are many voices –chaotic, distinct, contradictory – but we come together united in our hope, our belief in moving towards something better. This piece pays homage to that strange duality of experience, of being at once individual and distinct voices, but able to sing at the blink of an eye as a single unified, powerful whole. Alongside, it sets the words of First Nations peoples and Americans in reflection of the pluralistic experiences and aspirations of those for whom this has been home.
Duration – 18 minutes
Copyright ©2025 Juhi Bansal Music
All rights reserved (All texts are from the public domain)
juhibansalcomposer@gmail.com www.juhibansal.com
Texts
1. We came (texts from Ellis Island archives)
We came searching for a home
2. Island of Hope, Island of Tears (texts from Ellis Island archives)
We came
They came
He came
She came
We fled
They fled
He fled
She fled
Island of tears
Island of hope
A solider
An immigrant woman
A family of seven
A child
Pipers
A stowaway
Musicians
A boy
We came searching for a home
This land of tears
This land of hope
Slavic, Jewish, Arab, Syrian, Czech, Slovak, Cossak, Dutch, German, Greek, Sami, Indian, Italian, Turkish, Bavarian, Polish
Our joys, our sorrows, We touch new ground
We came searching for a home
2a. With all our possessions (texts from Ellis Island archives)
With all our possessions on our backs, we came.
3. Same Blood (adapted from Chief Standing Bear’s 1879 speech, demanding recognition as a ‘person’ under the law)
If I pierce my hand, blood will flow
If you pierce your hand, blood will flow
The blood that will flow will be of the same color
4. Despite the Dark (text fragments by Khalil Gibran, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth)
We look for light despite the dark
I have heard chains dropping Hope is a thing with feathers Like seeds dreaming beneath the snow, your heart dreams of Spring If they shout keep going, if they shout keep going, don’t ever stop
I will speak upon the ashes Help me to break this shadow, smash this night
Though life has been hard, death’s pathway dark, I shall wake in the morning to sing with the lark.
Not a single star of hope Help me shatter this darkness
We look for light despite the dark
Hope is a gift, a flame that leads to the light of tomorrow.
Hope is a thing with feathers If they shout keep going, if they shout keep going, don’t ever stop
We look for light despite the dark
5. New Colossus (excerpt) (text by Emma Lazarus)
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest‐tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door! Performance notes
This piece moves back and forth between sections of simple clarity and sections of chaos; sections where the text delivery is of primary importance, and sections where the intended effect is for the audience to be overwhelmed with an unintelligible wave of conflicting voices. Lean into these extremes.
1. We Came
- Music in dashed boxes is out of sync - each singer moves through the pitches alone, independently of the rest of the section. (See note on Rhythm below)
- An arrow is used to clarify gestures where a section is together. [e.g. at rehearsal A - Soprano and Alto sections begin together (marked with an arrow). Then each singer within S and A moves independently through the pitches F-G-Ab-Bb.] The Bb releases together before moving onto rehearsal B.
- When a horizontal extension arrow (see rehearsal K for example) is used, repeat the figure in the box as marked.
Rhythm (in out of sync sections): In the "out of sync" sections, create as much variety as you can in rhythm between individual singers. You may pause and hold any of the pitches within the box, or run through all the pitches quickly, or run - then hold, move slow - then fast, or superimpose any rhythm at all you like over the given pitches.
8-10 sec x x
(out of sync)
(out of sync) x x
(Piano - for rehearsal only): Double S/A/T until rehearsal L)
8-10 sec
(start together)
(Sopranos enter one by one, growing faster and more frenetic) (Breathe as needed; rearticulate "we" as you reenter)
(Altos enter one by one, growing faster and more frenetic) (Breathe as needed; rearticulate "we" as you reenter)
(Tenors enter one by one, growing faster and more frenetic) (Breathe as needed; rearticulate "we" as you reenter)
(Growing faster and more frenetic)
(Breathe as needed; rearticulate "we" as you reenter)
(In time)
2. Island of Hope, Island of Tears
With energy and optimism q = 120-130
SOPRANO ALTO
Espressivo, soaring
Precise and rhythmic
TENOR
BASS Piano (for rehearsal only)
Espressivo, soaring
Espressivo, soaring
They p came,
We p came, they A p soldier,- animmi-grant-woman,-afami-ly-ofseven,-achild, p
Precise and rhythmic
we came, shecame,
came,
Hecame, she
Pipers,-astowa-way,-musi-cians,-aboy.Asoldier,-animmi-grant-woman,-afami-ly-ofseven,-achild, We p
Espressivo, soaring
he came, theyfled,
came, Wefled they
Pipers,-astowa-way,-musi-cians,aboy.Asoldier,-animmi-grant-woman,-afami-ly-ofseven,-achild, fled, They
we fled she cresc. fled,
fled, he cresc. fled she
Pipers,-astowa-way,-musi-cians,-aboy.A cresc. soldier,-animmi-grant-woman,-afami-ly-ofseven,-achild, came, cresc. they cresc.
wefled,
came, hecame,
B. Pno. we came, she
Pipers,- astowa-way,-musi-cians,- aboy.Asoldier,- animmi-grant-woman,-a Pipers,- astowa-way,-musi-cians,- aboy.Asoldier,- animmi-grant-woman,-a
came, hecame,
she came,
fami-ly-ofseven,-achild, Pipers,- astowa-way,- musi-cians,- aboy.A cresc. fami-ly-ofseven,-achild, Pipers,- astowa-way,- musi-cians,- aboy.A cresc.
A. T. B. Pno. They cresc. came, we came,
We cresc. came, they came, soldier,-animmi-grant-woman,-afami-ly-ofseven,-achild,Pipers,- astowa-way,-musoldier,-animmi-grant-woman,-afami-ly-ofseven,-achild,Pipers,- astowa-way,-mucresc.
Pno. Is f land-oftears,
Is f land-oftears,
Sla f vic,-Jewish,-Arab,-Syri-an,-Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,- Ita-li-an,Bava-ri-an,-
Sla f vic,-Jewish,-Arab,- Czech,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an- Turkish- Polish,f
island-ofhope,
is mp land-ofhope, Slavic,Jewish,-Arab,Syri-an,-Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,- Ita-li-an,-Bava-ri-an,Slavic,Jewish,-Arab,Czech,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an-
Thislandoftears, 54
Thislandoftears,
Slavic,-Jewish,-Arab,-Syri-an,-Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,- Ita-li-an,-Bava-ri-an,-
Slavic,-Jewish,-Arab,- Czech,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an-
Thislandofhope, 58
Thislandofhope,
Slavic,-Jewish,-Arab,-Syri-an,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,- Ita-lian,Bava-ri-an,-
Slavic,-Jewish,-Arab,- Czech,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an-
touchnew ground, Wetouchnew ground,
touchnew ground, wetouchnew ground,
touchnew ground,
touchnew ground
Is f subito land-oftears, 74 Is f subito land-oftears, Sla f subito vic,-Jewish,-Arab,-Syri-an,-Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,-Ita-li-an,-Bava-ri-an,Sla f subito vic,-Jewish,-Arab,- Czech,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an- Turkish- Polish,f subito
island-ofhope, To cresc.
island-ofhope, To cresc.
Slavic,Jewish,Arab,-Syri-an,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,- Ita-li-an,Bava-ri-an,-
Slavic,-Jewish,Arab,- Czech,Slovak-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an-
cresc.
thislandoftears, To
thislandoftears, To Sla cresc. vic,-Jewish,-Arab,-Syri-an,-Slovak,-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,-Ita-li-an,Bava-ri-an,Sla cresc. vic,-Jewish,-Arab,- Czech,Slovak,-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndian-
thislandofhope,
thislandofhope, Slavic,-Jewish,-Arab,-Syri-an,-Slovak,-Cossack,-Dutch,German,-Sami,- Ita-li-an,-Bava-ri-an,Slavic,-Jewish,-Arab,- Czech,Slovak,-Cossack,-Dutch,GreekIndi-an- Turkish-
Espressivo, poignant q = 110-116
Withallourposses-sions-onour backs, We
Withallourposses-sions-onourbacks, We
Withallourposses-sions-
allourposses-sions-onourbacks, We
allourposses-sions-onourbacks, We
Piano (for rehearsal only)
3. Same Blood
Pure, piercing, expressive q = 140 - 150 (Feel in one) you p feel, youfeel pain, I p feel Ifeel pain, p
Piercing, straight tone
Piercing, straight tone
youfeelpain, the
4. Despite the Dark
With momentum, like a cacophony of voices splitting and coming together h = 76-80 5 We p lookforlightWelookforlightdesWe p lookforlightWelookforlightWelookforlightWelookforlightdesWe p lookforlightWelookforlightWelookforlightdesp
Piano (for rehearsal only) We p lookforlightWelookforlightdes-
I
haveheardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdroppingpite-the dark.
pite-the dark.
hope
isathingwithfeathers-
heardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping-IhaveheardchainsdroppingLike f
hope isathingwithfeathers,-
heardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdroppingseeds dreaming- beneath- the snow, your
hope isathingwithfeathers-
heardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdroppingheart dreams of spring. Like If f they
hope isathingwithfeathers24 heardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdroppingseeds dreaming- beneath- the snow, your shoutkeepgoing,iftheyshoutkeepgoing,don'tever-stop,don'tever-stop,Ifthey
hope isathingwithfeathers-
heardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping-heardchainsdroppingheart dreams of spring. shoutkeepgoing,-iftheyshoutkeepgoing,-don'tever-stop,don'tever-stop,
not
asingle- starof hope,
Iwillspeak upon-theashesHelp f me shatter-thedark ness,breakthisshadow,- smashthisnight.helpmetobreakthisshadow,S.
Iwillspeak upon-theashes-
we p lookforlightdespite-the dark
lookforlight,welookforlight,welookforlightdespite-the dark
we p lookforlightdespite-the dark
we p lookforlight,welookforlightdespite-the dark
isathingwithfeathers,lifehasbeenhard,death'spathway-dark, Ishallwakeinthemorning-tosingwiththe
T. B.
Hope f isagift, a Hope isathingwithfeathers,lark. Thoughlifehasbeenhard,death'spathway-dark, Ishallwakeinthe
Pno.
flame thatleads tothelightoftomor-row.-
T. B. Pno. If f they
Hope isathingwithfeathers,morning-tosingwiththelark. Thoughlifehasbeenhard,death'spathway-dark,
shoutkeepgoing,-iftheyshoutkeepgoing,-don'tever-stop,don'tever-stop,Ifthey 62
Hope isagift, a
Hope isathingwithfeathers,Ishallwakeinthemorning-tosingwiththelark. Thoughlifehasbeenhard,death's
shoutkeepgoing,-iftheyshoutkeepgoing,-don'tever-stop,don'tever-stop, 66 flame thatleads tothelightoftomor-row.-
Hope isathingwithfeathers,pathway-dark, Ishallwakeinthemorning-tosingwiththelark.
Not ( f ) asingle- starof hope, Not a
I f willspeak
Help ( f ) me, shatter-thisdark ness. -Help help f meto
upon- theashes,- Iwillspeak upon-the
me,shatter-thisdark ness. -Helpme, breakthisshadow,-smashthisnight.helpmetobreakthisshadow,-smashthisnight.
starof hope, Not asingle- star of
Iwillspeak upon-theashes,-
we p lookforlight,welookforlight,welookforlight, ness. - we p lookforlight,welookforlight,Like f subito smashthisnight. we p lookforlight,I f subito have
Pno.
Hope f isagift, a
Hope f isathingwithfeathers,-
seeds dreaming- beneath- the snow, your
heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping- heardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping-Ihave
flamethatleads tothelight oftomor-row.94
Hope isathingwithfeathers,-
heart dreams of spring.
heardchainsdropping-Ihaveheardchainsdropping-heardchainsdropping- heardchainsdropping-
Help me, shatter-thisdark ness. -Help
helpmetobreakthisshadow,- smashthisnight.helpmetobreakthisshadow,Not asingle- starof hope,Not a Iwillspeak upon- theashes,- Iwillspeak
shatter-thisdark ness. - We p lookforlight,
breakthisshadow,-smashthisnight.We p subito lookforlight,welookforlight,welookforlight,welookforlight,
starof hope, We p lookforlight,welookforlight,welookforlight,
ashes,- We
Soprano Solo
5. New Colossus
With warmth and resolution q = 100-110
Solo espressivo, freely
Piano (for rehearsal only) Give mp meyourtired,- yourpoor, Yourhuddled-masses-
(follow soprano solo)
SOPRANO
(follow soprano solo)
ALTO
Solo espressivo, freely
yearning-tobreathefree, Thewretched-refuse-of yourteeming-shore,
Sendthese, thehomeless,- thetempest-tossed tome Iliftmylamp, I
huddled-masses-yearning- to cresc.
huddled-masses-yearning- to cresc.
huddled-masses-yearning- tobreathe cresc.
huddled-masses-yearning- tobreathe cresc. cresc.
The p wretched-refuse-of the cresc. wretched-refuse-
The p wretched-refuse-of cresc. of The cresc. wretched-refuse-of of cresc. of
h = 75 beginning to lose momentum (Feel in 1)
wretched-refuse-of
dim. wretched-refuse-of
wretched-refuse-of
wretched-refuse-of
Pno.
tee ming, -teeming-
tee ming, -teeming-
long and slow With energy, warm and resolute, h = 60
shore pp
shore pp
Sendthese,the teeming,-teeming - shore pp
Sendthese,the teeming,-teeming -
shore pp
Sendthese,the pp
Pno.
homeless- tome,
Sendthese,thetempest-tossed, to homeless- tome,
Sendthese,thetempest-tossed, to homeless- tome,
Sendthese,thetempest-tossed, to