[G]Oh, Ellis Island was swarming
Like[C] a scene from a costume ball,
[D]Decked out in the colors of Europe,
And[C]
on fire[D] with the hope of it [G]all.
[G]There my father's own father stood huddled
With[C] the tired and hungry and
scared,
[D]Turn of the century pilgrims,
Bound[C] by the [D]dream that they[G] shared.
They were standing in lines just like cattle,
Poked and sorted and shoved.
Some were one desk away from sweet freedom.
Some
were torn from someone they loved,
Through this sprawling tower of Babel
Came a young man confused and alone,
Determined
and bound for America,
And carryin' everything that he owned.
[G]Sometimes, when I look in my grand[C]father's immigrant[G] eyes,
I see that[D] day reflected and I can't hold my
[C]feelings in[G]side.
I see[C] starting with nothing and working hard all of his[G] life,
So, "[D]Don't take it for
granted."[C] Say grandfather's[D] immigrant[G] eyes.
Now he rocks and he 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,
'Cause
he gave me the gift of sweet freedom,
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
