Guy Clark - Immigrant Eyes Lyrics






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

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





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Guy Clark Immigrant Eyes Comments
  1. L.... ....

    They came here legally.

    L.... ....

    Yeah and it was a hell of a lot more possible in those days to immigrate legally. Familiarize yourself with the actual politics and pragmatics of immigration before you spew shit like this.

  2. L.... S....

    Somebody should send a song to president trump

    L.... S....

    Every one on Ellis Island was immigrating legally.

    L.... S....

    Dead right Lonnie.

    L.... S....

    @Zoltan the Texan until they starting limiting entry to non white euro countries.

    L.... S....

    The song is about LEGAL IMMIGRANTS THRU ELLIS ISLAND NOT BY CLIMBING OVER A WALL OR UNDER IT ILLEGALLY, YOU DERANGED UNHINGED DEMS DUDS NEED TO OPEN YOUR EYES.

  3. S.... H....

    Someone posted willie Nelson singing this song on FB. I googled it and read Guy Clark wrote it, who I never heard of, so here I am! I like this man’s voice and think he sings Immediately grant Eyes way better than Willie.

    S.... H....

    I see you didn't immediately grant your comment spell checking

    S.... H....

    Willie does an incredible job of this song❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  4. O.... D....

    now this is what America is all about. Hey deep state and those of you that support the deep state. Don't take it for granted says grandfather's immigrants eyes. And he meant it

  5. w.... ....

    All those people that want a wall need to listen to this song

    w.... ....

    @Zoltan the Texan I love how they all just resort to repeating CNN headlines and insults. It's like if they repeat it enough it will make it true.

    w.... ....

    @Zoltan the Texan what we now know is that you're fucking stupid. You said there is a legal term called 'illegal alien', which there most certainly is NOT. Bye, dumbass!

    w.... ....

    Prez Bee Yep. Children think and act the same way (I have ‘em), but you grow up and nope, they’re just repeating nonsense.

    w.... ....

    Robert Berryman Call an immigration lawyer. Half of my family are immigrants, legal immigrants, including my mother. You are spouting falsehoods and negativity for what, for nothing.

    w.... ....

    @Robert Berryman temper temper young man! Somebody needs a nap.

  6. J.... L....

    This hits home. Man, Guy was great. We won't let him die, either.

  7. S.... ....

    What a songwriter!