Hi,

Joe, while you'd generally research the general topic you're writing about, it's not always that easy to go look up every little detail that you mere+y rhyme in. As the documentation about an event grows, and as our access to documentation grows easier, it's often easier to find out about the details in later times than it was at the time a song was written.
I guess David has a point in writing there can't be such an absolute limitation on modifying songs. He would seem to be overstating it a bit, here, though.

Nathalie, the song was written by Brendan Graham; it's copyrighted for 2001, as far as I know, but I don't know whether there was a specific reason. The first artists I saw performing it were The Irish Tenors. It maybe that it was written especially for their special and album on Ellis Island, from 2001. (If not, it may be that just the The Irish Tenors' version is copyright 2001.)

Mg, your acquaintance might contact the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. I don't know whether or not their documentation is limited to the immigration records, but even if that should be the case they are likely to know who does keep further documentation.

And finally: Sometimes even the corrected truth may not be all it appears.

                                                                Mysha