Capo 2
G
Oh Ellis Island was swarming
C
Like a scene from a costume ball
D
Decked out in the colors of Europe
C D G
And on fire with the hope of it all
G
There my father's own father stood huddled
C
With the tired and hungry and scared
D
Turn of the century pilgrims
C D G
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 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
CHORUS
G
Sometimes when I look
C G
in my grandfathers immigrant eyes
D
I see that day reflected and I can't
C G
hold my feelings inside
C
I see starting with nothing
G
and working hard all of his life
D
So don't take it for granted
C D G
say grandfather's immigrant 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
repeat chorus
