Overlooking the river by the Humber Dock Basin stands a statue of a family, newly arrived in the City for onward transit to America, commemorating the role our City played in the reception and onward transit of many thousands to new lives in America.
These were the Old City Docks
Once the very heart of the town
Before the new Docks at city's edge
Commercially closed them down.
They stand frozen in stone and
Time looking across the Humber,
Man, woman and children, just four
Of that great number
That passed through our City
In the search of a better life
Away from an Old Europe
With its poverty and strife:
Their belongings packed in trunks,
Hearts full of hope and schemes,
On to Liverpool and then America
In pursuit of their modest dreams.
But we are a City of Welcome
So quite a number stayed
And we enjoy our rich varied culture
That our City's mixing pot made.
From Whaling and fishing and trading
To Handling our country's exports
Adding to our county's wealth
One of our Country's vital ports.
Tribute to the Human Spirit
That statue stands there
If for no other reason than
To make us more aware
Today's news, yesterday's history so
Record it before it's completely gone
For in this modern world of ours
Progress inexorably moves on.
