You Are Welcome Here
By Joanie Calem
Sing Along
Folk Music for All
We live in a time of great divisions and discord, but it doesn’t have to be that way. This song and book were created to remind adults and encourage children that difference is beautiful and natural, something to be treasured and valued. It is wonderful that we are different from each other, each unique in our own way, and we absolutely can get along, work together, play together and grow together being different.
Doesn’t matter what color your hair, doesn’t matter what clothes you wear
Doesn’t matter what you’ve got to share, you are welcome here
Doesn’t matter what color your skin, doesn’t matter what shape you’re in
Doesn’t matter who’s your kin, you are welcome here
Chorus:
You are welcome here, you are welcome here
You and you and you and you, you are welcome here
Yeah, you are welcome here, you are welcome here
You and you and you and you, we’re all welcome here
Doesn’t matter if you look like me, doesn’t matter if we disagree
Doesn’t matter if you’re they, she or he, you are welcome here!
Doesn’t matter if you’re happy or sad, doesn’t matter if you sometimes get mad,
Doesn’t matter what stuff you have, you are welcome here!
Chorus:
You are welcome here, you are welcome here
You and you and you and you, you are welcome here
Yeah, you are welcome here, you are welcome here
You and you and you and you, we’re all welcome here
Doesn’t matter what food you eat, doesn’t matter if you’re messy or neat,
Doesn’t matter where you sleep, you are welcome here
Doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, doesn’t matter if you’re short or tall
Doesn’t matter what you’re called, you are welcome here
Bridge:
You don’t have to think like me, you don’t have to see what I see,
We can talk and work things out, learn what each other’s world’s about
We don’t have to see eye to eye, no one can really deny
We’ll treat each other with respect, that’s what we can all expect, cause
Chorus:
You are welcome here, you are welcome here
You and you and you and you, you are welcome here
Yeah, you are welcome here, you are welcome here
You and you and you and you, we’re all welcome here
Joanie Calem is a musician, singer/songwriter, storyteller, disability awareness activist, community-builder, cross-cultural worker and teacher. She has been teaching music and performing since 1983. Many of her songs for children touch on the topic of peace education & inclusion and can be found on her youtube channels — @joaniecalem or @joaniecalemforkids.
