July 3, 2026
Independence Visitor Center
The Gift to be Simple - a traditional Shaker tune, arranged by Bob Chilcott
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free,
‘tis the gift to come down where you oughta be
and when we find ourselves in a place just right,
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight
When true simplicity is gained
to bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed,
to turn, turn will be our delight
till by turning, turning we come round right
…‘Tis the gift to be free…
The Preamble, from Schoolhouse Rock! – by Lynn Ahrens, arranged by Maggie McAlexander
Hey, do you know about the USA?
Do you know about the government?
Can you tell me ‘bout the Constitution?
Hey, learn about the USA.
In 1787, I’m told, our Founding Fathers did agree
to write a list of principles for keeping people free
The USA was just starting out, a whole brand new country
and so our people spelled it out, the things that we should be:
(spoken) And they put those principles down on paper and called it the Constitution. And it's been helping us run our country ever since then. The first part of the Constitution is called the Preamble and tells what those Founding Fathers set out to do.
“We the People, in order to form a more perfect union,
Establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility,
Provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare at hand,
Secure the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity
Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Remember the Ladies – music by Melissa Dunphy
I have sometimes been ready to think
that the passion for liberty, for liberty
cannot be equally strong in the breasts of those
who deny their fellow creatures of theirs.
Of this I am certain that it is not founded upon that Christian principle
of doing to others, as we would that others should do unto us
I long to hear that you have declared an independency.
And by the way, in the new code of laws
I desire you would Remember the Ladies
and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors
If particular care and attention is not made to the ladies
we are determined to foment a rebellion
and will not hold ourselves bound by laws in which we have no voice.
I long to hear that you have declared an independency.
And by the way, in the new code of laws
I desire you would Remember the Ladies
and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors
Remember the Ladies.
-Text adapted from a letter by Abigail Adams to her husband
American Tune – music and lyrics by Paul Simon, arranged by Ed Blunt
Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken,
and many times confused
Yes, and I’ve often felt forsaken,
and certainly misused.
Oh, but I’m all right, I’m all right
Just weary to my bones
Still you don’t expect to be bright and bon vivant, so far away from home.
So far away from home.
I don’t know a soul that’s not been battered,
don’t have a friend who feels at ease
I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
or driven to its knees
Oh, but it’s alright, it’s alright
for we lived so well, so long
Still when I think of the road we’re traveling on, I wonder what’s gone wrong.
I wonder what’s gone wrong.
And I dreamed I was dying.
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me, smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying,
high up above my eyes could clearly see
the Statue of Liberty
sailing away to sea
We come on the ship they call The Mayflower
we come on the ship that sailed the moon
we come in the age’s most uncertain hour
and sing an American Tune
But it’s alright, it’s alright
you can’t be forever blessed
Still tomorrow’s going to be another working day.
I’m trying to get some rest
I’m trying to get some rest.
PHILLY FÊTE! – Music and lyrics by John Conahan
Turn right out the Linc, where the Eagles fly.
You can't paddle up the Schuylkill onto I-95
It goes Chestnut, then Walnut, then Locust, then Spruce.
And Love Park - hey!
30th Street Station.
Straight down the Parkway, just past the Barnes.
Rocky statue. Mann Center. Zoo.
76, not 676. I-95, not I-295.
Tacony, Palmyra, Walt Whitman, Ben Franklin.
Watch out for the PPA!
Here in Philadelphia!
I love I live in Philadelphia.
Come meet me here. I'll be right here.
We love, we live in Philadelphia!
So Much to Love – Music and lyrics by Ajibola Rivers
Though our nation, as we know it, was first settled in a town not far from here
the Founders came and signed their names to a cause that sparked revolutionary change.
This spot was the first planned lot, a grid that formed the city’s base
and from this design an image came to mind of the first United States
I wonder: did they know just how much we would grow and build on their foundation,
how much history would be preserved on every street? Look around!
We have so much to love, every brick, every street, every legend and myth, every achievement and feat;
we have so much to love, every show, every play, every star on the first U.S. Flag that was made Only here in Philadelphia do we have so much to love
You can’t talk about Philly without talking about the food,
whether it’s cheesesteaks, roast pork, Strombolis or hoagies, whatever suits your mood,
not to mention soda pop, Tastykakes, candy corn, ice cream soda, bubble gum, Good and Plenty,
root beer, and lots more over time, and even beyond the cuisine, Philly invented many things you’ve seen.
Look around!
There is so much to love, the first volunteer fire department, wooden pencils with eraser tips;
There is so much to love: the Slinky, the taxi, Monopoly, odometers, computers, and revolving doors.
Only here in Philadelphia is there so much to love
You could say the past has made this city what it is,
but don’t think for a moment that the story’s over.
There are stars yet unborn and stories yet to be written
in our home, the City of Brotherly Love
(so much to love) we preserve our history and still leave room for change
(so much to love) For young and old, foreign and native, opportunity reigns the same
Always here in Philadelphia where innovation and beauty abound
so much to love!
A Gritty Resolution – Music by Melissa Dunphy
At first, I was disgusted.
I was like, what the hell is this?
Why did you do this?
Why is this a thing?
It was like an hour after that
I fell in love with him.
A deranged orange lunatic,
a fuzzy eldritch horror,
a ghastly empty-eyed Muppet with a Delco beard,
a shaggy grotesquerie,
a non-binary leftist icon,
a raging id,
and an antihero.
Gritty floated from the rafters
into our hearts and minds,
weaving his googly-eyed stare, maniacal smile,
and passion for hockey and hot dogs
into our deep subconscious.
We rose to his defense and claimed him as our own.
Gritty conveys the struggle of modern life under capitalism.
Gritty is a source of joy
in a time of societal upheaval.
Like our steadfast commitment to justice
in the face of adversity,
Gritty will not be mocked or stopped.
An acid trip of a mascot,
ridiculous, horrifying, unsettling, and absurd.
Sleep with one eye open tonight, bird.
Gritty may be a hideous monster,
but he is our own.
-Lyrics adapted from “A Resolution” by Helen Gym, Philadelphia City Councilmember At Large, October 25, 2018
Move Closer to Your World – Music and lyrics by Al Ham and Walter Liss, arranged by Hilary Klapholz
Move closer to your world, my friend
Take a little bit of time
Move closer to your world, my friend
And you'll see...
Just a little bit of time
That's all it takes to bring your world together
Take a little bit of time
Don't turn away, my friend, tomorrows are forever
Get close to people
Your world needs you to care, to share it
Take the time
Join hands, my friend, with all the people in your world
Move in close...
Move on in...
And you'll see...
Move closer to your world, my friend
And you'll see...
ABOUT PHILHARMONIA
PhilHarmonia was founded in 2013 and continues to delight audiences with its commitment to musical excellence and diverse programming. For the past twelve years, the ensemble has offered a free concert in a public location and regularly offers two seasonal programs: Winter Spirits and From PhilHarmonia with Love. PhilHarmonia loves to collaborate and partner with local cultural organizations and artists. Collaborations and partnerships include: The Drinker Library of the Free Library of Philadelphia Central Branch, SEPTA, The German Society of Pennsylvania, Philly Homebrew Club, Independence Seaport Museum, Chestnut Street Singers, the Museum of the American Revolution, Nashirah, Singing City, Brian Sanders’ JUNK, Melissa Dunphy, John Conahan, Ajibola Rivers and Forbidden Fruit. PhilHarmonia is supported by The Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the Presser Foundation, the William Penn Foundation and individual donors.