Mother of Exiles | Kara Stacy | MusicSpoke

CHORAL SERIES

Mother of Exiles

MOTHER OF EXILES

For SATB Choir (div.) and piano

Program Note

Mother of Exiles is an excerpt from the sonnet“The New Colossus,” written by Emma Lazarus to raise funds for the completion of the Statue of Liberty. While she did not live to see her words attached to the statue, she did see and draw inspiration from Lady Liberty for many years before her death. She worked with refugees on Ward’s Island in New York City throughout her life, and was deeply moved by the plight of the immigrant.

In contrast to the great Greek statues which evoked power and fearsome strength, Lazarus sees Lady Liberty as the loving Mother of Exiles. Instead of demanding gory and “pomp,” she cries out for those who flee to her, welcoming them, and providing a light to guide their journey to the golden door that guards the American Dream.

Mother of Exiles is designed to evoke the cry of Lady Liberty and of the immigrants to run to her. Its theme is simple, like a mother ’s lullaby to her children around the globe. But with every line the piece grows, until it bursts into both an anguished cry of those currently fighting to meet her, and those rejoicing to be in the Mother of Exiles’ embrace.

This piece was commissioned in 2025 for the Festival Singers of Florida, under the direction of Dr. Kevin Fenton, and was chosen as a reminder of what this nation has always, and will continue to stand for.

Complete Text

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame, With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. "Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she With silent lips. "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-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

Lyrics by Emma Lazarus

For the 2025-2026 Festival Singers of Florida

Dr Kevin Fenton, Conductor

Mother of Exiles

for SATB Voices and Piano

This score is not licensed for performance. Please visit MusicSpoke.com to purchase

Music by Kara Stacy

Bedwell

lands,

lands,

tem pest - toss'd to me, send these tem pest - toss'd to me

tem pest - toss'd to me, send these tem pest - toss'd to me

tem pest - toss'd to me, send

This score is not licensed for performance. Please visit MusicSpoke.com to

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