Exodus
Ferrante And Teicher Orchestra Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

This land is mine, God gave this land to me
This brave and ancient land to me
And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plain
Then I see a land where children can run free

So take my hand and walk this land with me
And walk this lovely land with me
Though I am just a man, when you are by my side

With the help of God, I know I can be strong

Though I am just a man, when you are by my side
With the help of God, I know I can be strong

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own
Until I die, this land is mine

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ferrante And Teicher Orchestra's song Exodus speak to the connection that people have to their land and the strength that comes from that connection. The opening line, "This land is mine, God gave this land to me," echoes the idea of divine providence and suggests that the land is a gift from a higher power. The singer then goes on to describe the land as "brave and ancient," implying that it has a long and storied history that is worth protecting.

The imagery used in the song is particularly striking, with the singer describing the hills and plains that are revealed by the morning sun. This imagery suggests a sense of hope and possibility, as if the land holds great potential for the future. The idea that children can run free in this land adds to this idea of potential as it implies a world where there are fewer constraints and more opportunities.

Line by Line Meaning

This land is mine, God gave this land to me
I believe this land is rightfully mine, given to me by God

This brave and ancient land to me
This rugged and historical land is mine

And when the morning sun reveals her hills and plain
I only truly appreciate the beauty of this land when the sun rises and illuminates its natural features

Then I see a land where children can run free
It is my vision to create a society where children can play and prosper without fear or oppression on this land

So take my hand and walk this land with me
Join me as I explore and determine how we can best utilize this land to achieve our goals

And walk this lovely land with me
Accompany me on the journey to build a home and life on this beautiful land

Though I am just a man, when you are by my side
While I am only one person, with your support and partnership, we can accomplish great things together

With the help of God, I know I can be strong
I have faith that God will strengthen and guide me in my endeavors on this land

To make this land our home
Our ultimate aim is to create a comfortable and stable living environment for ourselves on this land

If I must fight, I'll fight to make this land our own
I am willing to engage in conflict, if necessary, to ensure that this land remains ours

Until I die, this land is mine
My connection to and possession of this land is unbreakable for the duration of my lifetime

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ernest Gold

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@jimburnham4186

3y↑32

I really think this is one of the most Beautiful songs ever composed I listen to it all the time

@donnatolewitzke6805

9y↑106

One of my most cherished memories of my teen years is playing this duet with my mom...brings tears to my eyes to hear it again..

@rayhanks7360

9y↑5

WoW ! Donna saw the movie upon it"s original release,,i was 17 years old,,,this song still moves me,, enjoy

@rhondaharrigan2838

3y↑3

💕my Mom loved Ferrante and Teicher

@robertwales2860

3y↑2

I hope that Donna Tolewitzke is now accomplished pianist. My late Mother was a concert pianist.

@marktabla5434

If your sheet music resembled what they actually played, that's a rarity. My experience is the sheet music to pop tunes like this is usually dumbed down considerably compared to what you're hearing compared to classical music scores and audio recordings that's usually more or less "what you hear is what you get".

@joelmcclain4165

2y↑2

It was a magical time to grow up.

4 More Replies...

@allenjones3130

27w↑11

Ferrante and Teicher's recording of "Exodus" is outstanding. Rest in peace, Art and Lou.

@juliusnepos6013

26w↑1

Indeed

@latinlupe1

17w↑4

I was in grade school and I loved it then. I absolutely love it now in my 70's. Thank you!

@theequalizer2007

26w↑4

This music takes me to my little hometown in Peru at the sixties. A recently inaugurated movie theater put this melody every time the show was about to begin. The red curtains elevating while this music playing was the prelude of another wonderful night. Beautiful memories.

@Kate-hu5uz

9y↑154

This was an amazing era of music that will never come again. It was all about musical notes, beautiful melodies and a rich, full sound. I don't know if artists like this even exist anymore; if there are, they're certainly not making records.

@lenspaulding

+Kate Nelson I agree you old beer guzzler! What went wrong?

@lenspaulding

+Kate Nelson I agree with entirely!!

@aaronkaplan1889

4y↑3

We composers who write like that era do exist today: enjoy my latest- Gigi's Grace: https://soundcloud.com/aaron-a-kaplan/gigis-grace-final Aaron A Kaplan

@meryllpalethorpe6380

4y↑1

@@aaronkaplan1889 that is beautiful, thank you for sharing

@tammyisenblatter9138

4y↑2

Amen to that!!!

5 More Replies...

@garynoth1498

5y↑16

The original recording this song is so Powerful and Dynamic. The Crescendo with the combination of Piano, Strings and French Horns is one of the best instrumentals EVER. It's hard to believe this song only peaked at #2 on Billboards Charts.

@shehuweaves

8y↑149

My mom had an 8 track of these wonderful musicians, back in 1982. She played this song every time we were in the car. She passed away four years ago, tonight was the first time I have heard this song in 36 years. Brought tears to my eyes, just for a moment it felt like she was still here. Thank you so much for uploading this.

@TheSnareguitar

7y↑5

My mother and I send songs to each other everyday and today this is what she sent me. I'm sorry to hear about your mom, even though I don't know you. Here's to your mom and those 8 tracks in 1982.

@shehuweaves

7y↑1

Thank you :-) :-)

@GerardoPerez-nl4jv

shehuweaves me encantan estos pianistas Thank you**) soy Lety Barrientos C

@Joseph03743

6y↑2

So ssorry for your loss. I feel the same way, it reminds me of my 2 sisters and my parents, who have all passed to the other side. F&T were awesome. Reminds me of the 60s.

@Parrotgir1

Billy Joel

4 More Replies...

@JotoGrifoNaco

6y↑1

Thank you, American Airlines for using this in your commercials in the 90's. The majesty of this song was not lost on me as a child! Powerful.

@waterbird91

7y↑37

EXODUS. What a MIGHTY PIECE OF WORK ! Well done boys!!! The kind of pianist i can listen to all day & night! Worth remembering.

@williammclean5040

AMEN TO THAT !

@danielfavata8894

7y↑56

the emotions that this music bring out is unreal...

@tamera29

9y↑58

A very powerful score gives me chills everytime I hear it. These men are ......just magnificient.

@waterbird91

13y↑3

ferrante & teicher are truly the grande twins of the twin grands!!!!!!!!!! It's what i listen to, when i'm driving .......god bless them, they were great together. now that teicher has passed away, we can all appreciate what they gave us....................

@dennisboyd1712

45w↑7

WOW Love the Twin Piano Rendition Of Exodus just powerful. Thank you Ferrante & Teicher

@greeneyesinvegas

45w↑3

This brings tears. I was lucky enough at 10 years old to go to one of their concerts in Portland, Oregon, around 1965. Even at 10, I remember how amazed I was at their talent. Cleaning out my dad’s house for sale today and discovered the autographed program from their concert…so HAD to look them up on YT and found this! So happy to hear this! 😀

@WilliamMPope

3y↑2

turned 65 today..I remember loving to watch and listen to them long ago...gives me chills!

@ronlheureux7623

39w↑3

This tune sticks out in my mind from my childhood. This must have been in the 1950s. My mother took me to watch this movie when I was a young boy. That was when I got a real sense of what it meant to be Jewish. She also took me to see Judgment At Nuremberg. I'll never forget Spencer Tracy. I don't know what year that was, but in August of 2023 I'm 75 years old.

@singtweetypie

@ronlheureux7623 The Leon Uris book was published in 1958. The movie Exodus was released in 1960. The 'Theme from Exodus', was the only instrumental song to ever win a Grammy for Song of the Year. Ernest Gold also won the Academy Award and the Grammy for the musical score. Ernest, an Austrian born Jew escaped to America with his musical family in 1938 because of the Nazi Anschluss. He truly was a prodigy and had his first symphony performed by NBC Orchestra when he was 18. The song lyrics were written by Pat Boone, an evangelical Christian. It is an absolutely beautiful song - and brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

@KevinSchwinkendorf

5y↑4

My older brother, Mickey, introduced me to the music of Ferrante & Teicher back in the 1970s when I was in high school. He and his wife went to several of their concerts, and bought me a vinyl album (before CDs came out, which I think was around 1983) of some of their greatest pieces. I still have it today. Great musicians!

@timeforatwix

3y↑10

Talented is an understatement, a glorious masterpiece of perfection, incredible

@Muttndal

2y↑6

I saw them in concert at the Ohio Theater in the mid 80s. Not only was it the most delightful concert but they were very funny too. Not Victor Borge funny but between pieces, they told funny stories and joked around. It was a cherished moment for me.

@juansantiago3296

6y↑12

I remember when I first saw them play this on Ed Sullivan Show. It touched me then and still does.

@jdale1259

15y↑1

I am now 50 years old but when I was a child my dad played Ferrante and Teicher 8-track tapes in our station wagon as our family headed out on various trips. Seeing this clip brings back great memories and makes me wish I had written the two musicians a letter to tell them how much our family enjoyed their music.

@deweydefalco

5y↑11

Outstanding! The music, the players, even the camera shots. I can't get enough of this video.

@richardmartin3440

27w↑1

I was lucky enough to see them in Seattle, Washington play this. Plus lots more of their tunes.

@carolcentracchio9187

7y↑22

I haven't heard this song in ages. A movie I was watching was playing "A Summer Place" I thought it as Ferrante and Teicher but it was Percy Faith whom I also love. I didn't know how to spell these 2 great pianists but finally found them. And now I will listen to All of their music.

@aaronkaplan1889

We composers who write like that era do exist today: enjoy my latest- Gigi's Grace: @t Aaron A Kaplan

@darrellepickering8433

Get a chance, listen to African Echos.

@sauquoit13456

6y↑5

On this day in 1960 {November 28th} Ferrante and Teicher performed "The Theme from 'Exodus'" on the Dick Clark ABC-TV weekday-afternoon program, 'American Bandstand'...
At the time "Exodus" was at #40 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, and on January 23rd, 1961 it would peak at #2* {for 1 week}, it spent twenty one weeks on the Top 100...
Between 1960 and 1970 the duo had eleven records on the Top 100 chart; four made the Top 10, besides "Exodus", their three other Top 10 records were "The Theme from 'The Apartment'" {#10 in 1960}, "Tonight (from West Side Story)" {#8 in 1961}, and "Midnight Cowboy" {#10 in 1970}...
Louis Teicher passed away at the age of 83 on August 3rd, 2008; and Arthur Ferrante died one year later on September 19th, 2009, he was 88 years old...
May they both R.I.P.
* The week "Exodus" peaked at #2, the top three records on the Top 100 chart were all instrumentals, at #1 was "Wonderland By Night" by Bert Kaempfert and at #3 was "Calcutta" by Lawrence Welk...
And in addition; the week "Exodus" was at #2 there was a vocal version of the song on the Top 100, Pat Boone's "Exodus Song (This Land Is Mine)" was at #90...

@robertwales2860

3y↑2

I've always Loved their dualling pianos.Ed Ferrante and Lou Teicher.as did my late Mother who was a concert pianist

@haroldkonstantelos830

9y↑20

This Puts A Kiss On Your Soul.

@lenspaulding

+Harold Konstantelos ....Harold, this is a song about the Jews...enough said ok? Personally, I don't like it at all.

@Richard234

5y↑1

As a child I remember crying for the first time listening to a piece of music. When they modulate that when the tears came. A bit embarrassed my Mom told me it was okay to cry.

@da66yy

13y↑3

What difference does their look make? This is one of most gorgeous compositions/performances in the history music. I cry every time I hear it because it's so amazingly majestic, it takes my breath away.

@dougoverfield1450

2y↑1

I played this my sophomore year in high school with Mrs. Colley in Nashville. Amazing song and I had an amazing teacher!!

@MissHappiness36

3y↑1

I was a mere toddler and my parents had this record. This always made me cry, sobbing cry. My brothers a'ways played this, “let’s see if Becky cries” of course it still haunts me with its beautiful melody, even now as an old lady.

@RonN448

8y↑39

I had the pleasure of meeting Ferrante and Teicher back in the '60s when they were setting up to perform at East Aurora High School in Aurora, IL. They were so nice to me, even though I was only either a Sophomore or Junior in high school. They even allowed me to play one of their pianos. That was quite an honor! Of course, the auditorium was packed, and they gave a great performance. They even did a couple of humorous things, which was typical of their style when in-concert. They weren't the least bit "stuffy."

@thorisomabogoane7700

3y↑2

The grand twins of the twin grands🙏🏾

@1958marky

5y↑1

I saw these cats on the Lawrence Welk Show in 1967 and I threw my Grandmother's old cassette recorder on the floor with me and caught them playing this on tape --- by far, the best dueling pianists of their time.... beautiful arrangements that compliment each other perfectly...

@Indybruin1

15y↑2

My father played the album, "Music for Lovers" over and over, usually on Sunday morning when a stack of LPs were placed on the turntable and played all the way through, I remember this tune well and can see my father sitting at the breakfast table with his cup of coffee.

@fairwinds610

5y↑1

This was the first piece of music I ever heard on my Heathkit crystal radio back in 1959; I was eight years old and while trying to describe it to my brother the only word I could think of was "royal".

@wolf-walker

5y↑2

I was a little kid when my father bought a new stereo system. He was so proud of his new "toys" that he would play classics like this and point out the stereo sound from each speaker. Speakers were massive then.
Dad is gone now but I still have the stereo. And now I enjoy playing the same classics, along with some newer, and pointing out the fantastic sound quality!

@johnshaw2036

8y↑1

I had never heard of these people until i heard this performance on the family radio when I was a kid. I IMMEDIATELY fell in love with it. And became eager to listen to more of their music.

@irenesmith9866

21w↑1

I feel so privileged to have watched these two perform years ago. Never forgot that night!

@maryprather534

2y↑1

I listened to this song over and over again when I was a pre-teen (in the late 60's). It's been over 50 years and I just recently started humming it - couldn't get it out of my head. Started looking for it (thought the title was "Exodus" but wasn't sure). Was finally able to locate it with the new Google recognition widget. This song is absolutely beautiful. It's amazing how music lives in us for a lifetime.

@SheddyMorrison_SM

48w

Hello Mary, how are you doing today,hope you're good 😊👋

@HCGARDNER1

4y↑3

Was a beautiful song among so many to grace us during the year, 1961.

@malgosia64

27w

Esta musica debe ser catalogada como patrimonio cultural de la humanidad.

@minegritachula

16y↑7

This is so beautiful....always reminds me of my father it was one of his favorites. So powerful and yet gentel. They were a wonderful pair.

@r0g3r5m1th

51w↑1

If only there wasn't a voice over at the beginning, it's so powerful, so beautiful.

@johndean958

6y↑4

Nobody can express nor play this with such emotion as these two amazing artists. I just love this version. Cheers.

@syanar5

4y↑6

when I was studying piano I heard this music and I was captive of it so much was the beauty and purity and even now I still play it, and 60 years have passed and how many memories too! excuse my bad english language , i'm italian

@oldschoolsinger

12y↑13

One of the most beautiful and haunting instrumentals ever written. I saw the movie Exodus with my mom and dad when it came out in 1960 (correct?) I was only 7 years old and fell in love with the song even then. Absolutely gorgeous

@Bigbadwhitecracker

8y↑5

I'm very proud of the commentaries here that no one mentioned their hairpieces.... It's a chilling piece of music from a great and moving movie!!! The finest of entertainers.

@yznhymer

8y↑3

+Michael Maloney um, you mentioned the hairpieces

@Bigbadwhitecracker

oops

@vasudama

+yznhymer LMAO

@johnshaw2036

Did they by any chance use the hairpieces to make themselves look more closely rekated than they actually are? That wouldn't surprise me.

@Bigbadwhitecracker

that's what I was thinking. Glorious music, creepy visuals

2 More Replies...

@danielc.8875

4y↑5

Stunning. With all the sadness going on in the world now, we forget theres still so much beauty as well. Maybe this music has passed on into history, but thanks to youtube it's just a finger tip away.

@sploozy

12y

I grew up listening to these guys....we would go for long trips in my daddy's 1970 Oldmobile Luxury 98...the back seat was like a big comfy sofa...Coming back from a long day of snow skiing, I would cuddle up in the back seat with my daddy's big sheep skin jacket and my pillow and sing along to Furente and Tescher playing "Greensleeves" and "Theme from Romeo and Juliet" and the theme from "Love Story" and of course "Exodus"...."this land is mine...God gave this land to me...".

@jameslye1899

7y↑11

Music does transcend all ages...Loved this song as a kid, still love it as a grown man...And younger people who have heard this classic, love it just as much as I do...Beautiful is beautiful...What age gap?? Peace and Tranquility

@daveb1431

9y↑12

My Mom just loved this song. But I am 54. Time passes much too fast, but I remember it.

@richardirwin6476

8y↑12

A great memory.. The Grand Twins of the Twin Grands! Peaked at #2 on Billboard in late 1960. Just two BIG pianos, folks, no guitars, drums, horns or synthesizers. Just two Piano Men. Marvelous!

@blackprix

12y↑4

I bought their music years ago when I was in my 20's and enjoying the music of my time. They were not pop and rock but marvelous, majestic muscians whose music takes your breath away!!

@proudtobegods

10y↑7

Fantastic , I can never thank my mother enough for bringing the joy of music into our home. I have a wide range of love for good music.

@sneaux49

9y↑6

When I was in the service I was stationed in England from 1969-1973. I worked afternoon and mids only. When I got off the swing shift I go to my room in the barracks. Put Ferrante and Teicher on the stereo, lay on the bed and think about home. I loved listening to them but I got homesick.

@PertNearFedUp-bj1tx

Jeffrey Snow ....happy beautifully sad. But what story to tell. Bless you brother.😃

@lanwei4419

4y↑2

I am so glad that I finally found their videos in YouTube. I first watched their performances in TV many many years ago but I couldn't remember their names. Have been searching for years...

@anewlifewenton8669

5y↑1

My mother also had a 45 recording of this song. One of my very first memories of childhood.

@Yazilikai

12y↑8

This has always been one of my all-time favorites. I once had the honor of hearing it played on electric guitars - Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon was one of the players. It's the type of song that really grabs you by the throat.

@clare2106

2y↑1

Oh my gosh! Just found this and the memories it evokes are unbelievable!! The most amazing piece of music ever written and played. It was from an era that can and will never be replicated. The talent, the music was phenomenal! O the joy of finding this!! ❤

@mickeylossmann3438

10y↑2

I could be in the worst of moods, I put this on and "Midnight Cowboy"....a breathe of fresh air and relaxation...THANK YOU!

@conniespade1791

12y↑2

I love this two guys.So talented....Beautiful music....one of the best pianist.Exodus is one of my favorite song.

@Alejandronavarro1975.

3y↑2

sounds, that reach, directly to the soul and the heart, nothing more beautiful, than this

@janethartwig774

3y↑1

Their brilliance enriched my teenage years.

@SheddyMorrison_SM

48w

Hello Janet, how are you doing today,hope you're good 😊👋

@michaelmachung7233

3y↑1

I really don't know what to say other than that this is pure unadulterated talent; musicians at their level are nonexistent today, for sure.

@bruinswinthecup2011

12y↑1

This was my father's favorite song and this was played at his memorial service back in 2009...........

@steverooke3463

4y↑1

Can not stop listening to this absolute class music

@tammyisenblatter9138

I grew up listening to this maestro pair!!! BEST of the BEST of BEST !!! Thank you for posting this fantastic video!!!

@LeeFred78

7y↑1

I went to University High School in Irvine, CA. This music was used for our Alma Mater..."All hail to thee, our University...!"

@b3j8

9y↑1

I still remember my father, an accomplished pianist himself cringing at times to this and mumbling "too hard!" referring to their heavy pounding on the keys. But, I always thought their version of "Exodus" was fabulous! Sorry Dad. LOL

@grammrene

12y↑2

Such extraordinary talent they had! They were also fabulous showmen. I could listen to them all day, and some days I did just that.

@patcole8825

6y↑1

I grew up with music like this! Surely Magnificent 👏

@SheddyMorrison_SM

48w

Hello Pat, how are you doing today,hope you're good 😊👋

@sahamvalas

4y↑3

i believe this is the version i heard in 1980 or 1981, It took me 40 years to found it again.

@ChristopherSobieniak

4y↑1

Have it on 45!

@pippajones2439

3y↑2

Wonderful music, I remember buying the single. It made me read Leon Uris's book and go and see Otto Preminger's film Exodus (1960), starring Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint. Ernest Gold won an Oscar for his score.

@janetdavies9612

3y↑2

Absolutely wonderful music & performers 🎶🎹😊🥰❤️

@gatorinsc68

11y↑1

I saw them at a live concert in Jacksonville, Fla, and they were even better live!!

@TheSFCRetired

10y

Memories of long ago, a young man who once was, and a beauty still much appreciated by an old man.

@rayhanks7360

Well put,,me too,,71years

@buzzguy72

Don't worry, gentlemen. I'm 42, came up in the era of grunge and hair metal. I'd take something this classy and beautiful any day over Nirvana. My Mom is a musician, and my late Dad had great taste in music, so I lucked out to know of music llike this.

@cherylwagner6662

9y↑13

Absolutely beautiful. I have always loved this piece of music. Wish we had beautiful music like this now.

@1958marky

9y↑2

Cheryl Wagner I whole-heartedly agree with you... I saw them on the Lawrence Welk show when i was 10 years old and couldn't believe how pretty this song was, even at that young age (57 now) and to add, how good these twins were on those pianos --- absolutely amazing and I bought a cd with this tune and 9 other great songs on it and listen to it constantly --- and this is coming from a rock n roll man! lol

@lenspaulding

+Mark Norris sorry about that Mark! I had a few beers in me.

@1958marky

+lenspaulding Thanks, len... all cool.

@RishiKundu97

+Cheryl Wagner they're both dead now :(

@1958marky

8y↑1

+RK Tech Center --- but their music still lives :)

6 More Replies...

@time4action101

12y

... I am misty eyed already and it has just begun!... it is so nice to know that there is still sensitivity left in the 'modern' world...Thank You for the reminder..=:)

@jtn6112

3y↑1

Beautiful--love to be able to play like that for others enjoyment truly a gift.

@time4action101

12y

...I become misty eyed when I here this as well. I think of the story behind it and it leaves me breathless as well.

@rosemariekury9186

5y↑2

Love their music! My dad had an album of them which he listened to frequently. Only wish I'd seen them live in concert! This is my favorite!

@mkl62

3y↑2

This hit from Ferrante & Teicher went to #2 on the Top 40 charts. It went to #1 on the Cash Box charts and in New Zealand. It went to #2 in Australia and to #6 in the United Kingdom. It would finish at #17 for the year, 1961.

@cambtone

16y↑1

This was the first record I bought, over 40 years ago. And still the best. Superb.

@53bigmikejones

13y↑1

I saw them live at the Hollywood Bowl years ago and they were so awesome.

@gatorinsc68

12y

I saw F&T in 1965 in Jax, Fla., and they put on one great show!! Later, the Jax symphony orchestra played it on the deck at the Prudential building. The place came down every time they played it!!

@robertbenko6629

1y↑1

I remember having to learn this song at 10 years old for my piano lesson it took me a month but I finally got it... even my piano teacher was so proud of me... I was the first one of all his students to get it done perfectly

@irmavergara1908

Que selecta musica tiene lo que estoy escuchando gracias a quien nos pone esta bellas melodias

@jimburnham4186

1y↑2

❤ THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THEME SONGS EVER WRITTEN.

@VocalEdgeTV

14y↑1

We had this LP when I was a child. Huge influence.

@jorgesixtoantonio3162

3y↑2

thanks you forever Ferrante&Teicher

@brendakrieger7000

3y↑2

Never ever gets old and gives me chills every single time🎹

@godagesilrex2954

10y↑4

First heard their performance of this as an ochestral arrangement on an album of movie sound tracks in the early 1960's. That is still one of my favorite songs. This was a revelation getting to see them perform the piano part of it.