Immigrant Eyes - Guy Clark

Oh, Ellis Island was swarming

Like a scene from a costume ball

Decked out in the colors of Europe

And on fire with the hope of it all

There my father’s own father stood huddled

With the tired and hungry and scared

Turn-of-the-century pilgrims

Bound by the dream that they shared

They were standing in lines just like cattle

Poked and sorted and shoved

Some were one desk away from sweet freedom

Some were were torn from someone they love

Through this sprawling Tower of Babel

Came a young man confused and alone

Determined and bound for America

Carrying everything that he owned

Sometimes when I look in my grandfather’s immigrant eyes

I see that day reflected and I can’t hold my feelings inside

I see starting with nothing and working hard all of his life

«So don’t take it for granted,» say grandfather’s immigrant eyes

Now he rocks and stares out the window

But his eyes are still just as clear

As the day he sailed through the harbor

And come ashore on the island of tears

My grandfather’s days are numbered

But I won’t let his memory die

Because he gave me the gift of this country

And the look in his immigrant eyes

Sometimes when I look in my grandfather’s immigrant eyes

I see that day reflected and I can’t hold my feelings inside

I see starting with nothing and working hard all of his life

«So don’t take it for granted,» say grandfather’s immigrant eyes

«No don’t take it for granted,» say grandfather’s immigrant eyes