Immigrant Eyes
Legacy of Hope: A Journey Through Immigrant Eyes
Lyrics
Oh, Ellis Island was swarming
Ellis Island was bustling with activity and people.
Like a scene from a costume ball
Comparing the scene to a costume ball, emphasizing the diversity of immigrants.
Decked out in the colors of Europe
The immigrants were adorned in the colors representing their European origins.
And on fire with the hope of it all
The atmosphere was filled with the fervent optimism and aspiration of the immigrants.
There my father's own father stood huddled
The speaker's paternal grandfather stood among the masses.
With the tired and hungry and scared
He was alongside others who were fatigued, hungry, and fearful.
Turn of the century pilgrims
Describing the immigrants as pilgrims of the turn of the century with a shared dream.
Bound by the dream that they shared
They were united by the common dream of a better life in America.
They were standing in line just like cattle
Depicting the dehumanizing process of immigration, akin to cattle being processed.
Poked and sorted and shoved
Immigrants were treated like commodities, pushed and prodded.
Some were one desk away from sweet freedom
Some were on the brink of achieving freedom, while others were separated from loved ones.
Some were torn from someone they love
Highlighting the emotional toll of immigration and family separation.
Through this sprawling Tower of Babel
Referring to the chaotic and diverse immigrant population as a Tower of Babel.
Came a young man, confused and alone
Introducing a young man, confused and alone, entering this diverse world.
Determined and bound for America
Expressing determination and the journey toward America.
And carrying all that he owned
Carrying all possessions, symbolizing the immigrant's hope for a new beginning.
Sometimes when I looked in my grandfather's immigrant eyes
Reflecting on the speaker's grandfather's immigrant experience.
I saw that day reflected and I couldn't hold my feelings inside
The speaker sees the hardships of that day reflected in his grandfather's eyes.
I saw started with nothing and working hard all of his life
Grandfather started with nothing and worked hard throughout his life.
"So don't take it for granted," said grandfather's immigrant eyes
Grandfather's advice not to take the opportunities in America for granted.
He would rock and stare out the window
Depicting the grandfather rocking and contemplating his memories.
But his eyes are still just as clear
Despite age, his eyes retain clarity, remembering the day he arrived in America.
As the day he sailed through the Harbor
Recalling the challenging arrival at the Harbor and the island of tears (Ellis Island).
And come ashore on that island of tears
My grandfather's days were numbered
Grandfather's life was limited, but the speaker intends to preserve his memory.
But I won't let his memory die
Commitment to ensuring the grandfather's legacy lives on.
'Cause he gave me the gift of this country
The gift of the country is emphasized as a precious legacy from the grandfather.
And the look in his immigrant eyes
Connecting the gift to the look in the grandfather's immigrant eyes.
Sometimes when I looked in my grandfather's immigrant eyes
Reiteration of the emotional impact of looking into the grandfather's eyes.
I saw that day reflected and couldn't hold my feelings inside
Continued reflection on the hardships of the grandfather's immigrant experience.
I saw started with nothing and working hard all of his life
Emphasizing the starting from nothing and the hard work throughout life.
"So don't take it for granted," said grandfather's immigrant eyes
Repeating the grandfather's advice not to take opportunities for granted.
"Don't take it for granted," said grandfather's immigrant eyes
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