Immigrant Eyes

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
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 They were standing in line just like cattle
 Poked and sorted and shoved
 Some were one desk away from freedom
 Some 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 carrying all that he owned
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 Sometimes when I looked in my grandfather's immigrant eyes
 I saw that day reflected and couldn't hold my feelings inside
 I saw started with nothing and working hard all of his life
 "So don't take it for granted" said grandfather's immigrant eyes
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 He would rock and stare out the window
 But his eyes were still just as clear
 As the day he sailed through the Harbor
 And came ashore on that island of tears
 My grandfather's days were 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
 Sometimes when I looked in my grandfather's immigrant eyes
 I saw that day reflected and couldn't hold my feelings inside
 I saw started with nothing and working hard all of his life
 "So don't take it for granted" said grandfather's immigrant eyes
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 "Don't take it for granted" said grandfather's immigrant eyes