"Dear diary,

 

This morning I enjoyed a bracing walk into the center.

 

Amsterdam is truly growing and blossoming: it's all so exciting! I wish I could share it with my Joseph. Fortunately I have no visitors today: I shall spend the afternoon writing him a letter.

 

It will cheer him to hear news of home, and to know he is ever in my thoughts."

 

Watching the crowd through the window

Looking down on the streets that I love

The city’s rising and growing

We are blessed to reside in this town

 

As I’m hearing the sounds of the harbor

Where our sailors and traders call

I imagine the way of the workers

Through the anguish they still stand tall

 

As I’m making my way to the centre

Morning birds in the park sing along

In all their sweet subtle splendor

Seems we all are in love with their song

 

And the prince, lords and emperor

Embrace the merchants’ houses

(if only  you were here)

In the heart of Amsterdam

(here in the heart of Amsterdam)

 

Around the town hall

Proud people crowd the alleys

(if only you were here)

In the heart of Amsterdam

 

I cross the canals’ tiny bridges

Where I pause to absorb city life

From the poor to the richest

Exotic foreigners passing me by

 

I’m in awe of the beautiful paintings

Can’t believe that Rembrandt’s here

As the seasons are changing

He’ll immortalize all we hold dear

 

May we write, search and discover

May we craft, philosophize

To guide and to govern

Build our future eternal and bright

 

Strolling along down the alleys

This is home, this is where I belong

Scent of fresh salted sea breeze

I’ll be here ‘till the last teardrop falls