In New York City- Nineteen thirty-six,
the crowds had gathered for a final show;
none playing the next day- no more to see
of organ grinders coming to their streets.
Throughout the city, all those places where
they came around to play- silent would be.
The citizens protested- with no win;
Mayor LaGuardia- ruled they must leave.
Renew their licenses, he would not do-
that radio and concerts were enough.
A nuisance, these musicians he declared;
he did not want them on the city streets.
As poor Italian immigrants, for them
their talent was the means to live and earn
a pittance from the coins left in their tins;
as songs, the sadness of their lives, unveiled.
On this last day, the organ grinders came
to greet their waiting fans and play for them.
When done, all waved goodbye with teary eyes
as the musicians gathered up their things.
With monkeys in their arms, they walked away
to leave their lifetime art of playing songs-
as each last organ grinder bid farewell;
to dwell as history from New York's past.
From LaGuardia to North Carolina
they set out to fly
on a cold January morning
the airbus entered the sky
Now some little birds
were about to bring this big bird down
flight 1549 suddenly was drifting to the ground
Looking at New York City
the mighty Hudson lay below
Sully the pilot made a quick decision
into the river he would go
With the skill of a veteran
he put her down
hoping and praying
all aboard would not drown
Well everyone was rescued
while the world watched amazed
for the passengers of flight 1549
Sully & crew had saved the day
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