Immigrant Eyes Lyrics - Guy Clark

Oh Ellis Island was swarming 

Like a scene from a costume hall 

Decked out in the colors in Europe 

And on fire with the hope of it all 

There stood 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 prodded 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 

And carryin' everything that he owned 

[Chorus] 

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 

'Cause he gave me the gift of this country 

And the look in his Immigrant Eyes