Citizens of New York, I greet you

With the hundred thousand dollar check

The money that my readers have contributed

For the pedestal of the statue



Citizens of New York, I greet you

With the news that soon our flag will be unfurled

On the most expensive statue in the world

-On the most expensive statue in the world



When it's finally installed, tell us, what will it be called?

-When it's finally installed, tell us, what will it be called?

When we finally install it

What's the diff'rence what we call it?

It's the best that money can buy

And will stand three hundred feet high

And I understand before we're through the cost may not be known

A hundred thousand dollars for the pedestal alone

And our flag will soon be unfurled

On the most expensive statue in the world

-On the most expensive statue in the world



When it finally is claimed, tell us, what will it be named?

-When it finally is claimed, tell us, what will it be named?

When at last we come to claim it

What's the diff'rence what we name it?

What's important is the expense

What it means in dollars and cents

From the French across the ocean it was sent to me and you

And now I'd like to call upon and hear a word or two

From our friend the French ambassador



Your honor, I speak not for my government, but my people

For it is not my government, but my people who give this statue

Creation of the genius of Bartholdi

May it arise in your harbor and give the light of

Liberty, equality, fraternity



Finally, when we install it, why don't we call it "Liberty"?

"The Statue of Liberty"!

-"The Statue of Liberty"!

And the most expensive statue in the world!

-And the most expensive statue in the world