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

they were standing in lines 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

sometimes when i looked in my grandfather's immigrant eyes

i saw that day reflected and i couldn't hold my feelings inside

i saw starting with nothing and working hard all of his life

so don't take it for granted