Neil Sedaka - The Immigrant Lyrics






Harbours open their arms to the young searching foreigner
Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty
Plains and open skies billboards would advertise
Was it anything like that when you arrived
Dream boats carried the future to the heart of America
People were waiting in line for a place by the river

It was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room
That people could come from everywhere

Now he arrives with his hopes and his heart set on miracles
Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises
To find they've closed the door they don't want him anymore
There isn't any more to go around
Turning away he remembers he once heard a legend
That spoke of a mystical magical land called America

There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room
That people could come from everywhere

There was a time when strangers were welcome here
Music would play they tell me the days were sweet and clear
It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room
That people could come from everywhere





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Neil Sedaka The Immigrant Comments
  1. s.... ....

    Such a beautiful insightful classic. My parents immigrated from Europe and though I was born here, theirs is my story too. Thanks for coming to America Ma and Pa. It was a time when strangers were welcome here. Music would play, they tell me the days were sweet and clear. There was so much room. People could come from everywhere. Thanks Neil. You captured the story perfectly.

  2. C.... B....

    I always cry when l hear this!

  3. c.... ....

    "It was a time when strangers were welcome here". What happened? So sad 😢

  4. A.... ....

    The song about John Lennon has some great lyrics. I don’t remember reading if John ever commented on it?

  5. H.... T....

    I listen to the bleeding hearts on this post and I think "These people can't see the difference between what is happening now, and how immigration was 100 years ago?" 100+ years ago, immigration was a privilege. Coming here isn't, "A RIGHT ". LIKE they want everyone to believe. It still isn't .Invasion wasn't happening at the borders. Planned massive caravans weren't coming wave after wave from everywhere in the world. NGO's weren't transporting diseased people to our country. You can believe what you want, but when my Grandparents came here, they had to have a sponsor, a trade, learn English, and be self sufficient. (No welfare). So you people should research how things really were, don't believe the bullshit you've been told.

  6. T.... ....

    I love Neil Sadakas songs and this particular song rings a bell to many immigrants past and present. We are all descendants of immigrants.

  7. e.... ....

    So prolific today

  8. J.... W....

    The current administration needs to hear this song.

  9. M.... M....

    This beautiful song was for John Lennon.

  10. E.... K....

    Was taking advantage of Apple Music and remembered I no longer had a copy of this so I grabbed it. So very very relevant these days...

  11. 1.... ....

    Man, talk about a prophetic song...much more relevant today than then! Recently I wept as I saw Mexican school children coming home from school and finding their houses empty!! America, what happened to you?

  12. K.... W....

    Beautiful song,amazing lyrics,effortless voice,heart lifted!

  13. K.... L....

    Even more relevant in 2019...

  14. M.... B....

    This song is more important now than ever.

    M.... B....

    Until 1960 immigration laws were much more strict. Look it up for when the great migration took place. 1910-1914.

    M.... B....

    @Hammer Thor Always? Is this from 1776 or before?

    M.... B....

    @Jaquie Fallon When my Mother's family immigrated from Germany in 1862, my Great Great grandfather and his brothers were told they either Joined the army on the spot or they got back on the ship. They fought for the union army at Gettysburg with the 1st Minnesota infantry Battalion. So don't cry to me about your sorrow for illegal aliens. My family has been fighting and dying for America since we set foot on her. OH AND BTW, WE NEVER OWNED SLAVES EITHER.

    M.... B....

    @Jaquie Fallon My German Grandfather loved America and her promise so much that he Joined the paratroopers in 1942 he was 44 years old in boot camp. He was Kia in 1944 at Arnhem bridge. What sacrifices has your family made for America. You whiny liberal POS.

    M.... B....

    @Jaquie Fallon In 1942 after the Nippons attacked Pearl harbor, my Grandfather enlisted into the army paratroopers.He was 44 years old. 2 years later he was in OPERATION MARKET GARDEN and parachuted behind enemy lines. He was Kia at Arnhem bridge trying to hold the bridge. My uncle bud joined at the same time. He went to the Navy. He was on the Indianapolis. If you don't know what that means, you should look it up. My uncle Tommy was in The Korean war, he was a Marine at Chosin reservoir, if you don't know what that means look it up. And that's my German-Irish side. I don't know you, but my family has earned the right live here paid for in blood.

  15. S.... A....

    No where in the song does he sing "Go back to where you came from!" Beautiful tune. Perhaps Mr Trump should have a listen too!

    S.... A....

    Nowhere in the song does it say sure come here we'll support you, sure drop anchor baby's we'll support them to. Bleeding heart pukes, you're an embarrassment to My Country.

  16. L.... L....

    Not only a good song - but good lyrics too!! A clever song

  17. d.... ....

    Pure class

  18. J.... M....

    Some one should play this tune over the intercom in the White House.

    J.... M....

    IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOME HERE. Not illegal aliens invaders. You weak minded doofus.

    J.... M....

    They quarantined immigrants at Ellis island. They couldn't come to shore if they were infected with any diseases. They also had to have a sponsor, a trade, and a place to live, and learn the language in 2 years. No welfare, no ebt no Medicaid freebies. So go cry a river somewhere else.

    J.... M....

    @Hammer Thor These are asylum seekers, forced to leave their countries because of the criminality that we inflicted on them Not immigrants. There is a difference

    J.... M....

    @elizabeth ziph economic migrants aren't fleeing for their lives. The caravans were an orchestrated invasion by NGO's. Don't lie. So how are the African people getting here?magic? It's planned, the un is pushing open borders to dilute our nationalism, undermining our sovereignty as a nation. Drain our social services. You should educate yourself on facts about the situation. Look up CLOWARD-PIVEN STRATEGY. it's their plan.

  19. M.... W....

    This was before America degenerated into a reprobate basket case

  20. d.... ....

    Something to sing while knocking down wall.

  21. d.... ....

    People sailed uncertain seas to a certain welcome
    Now they they fly certain skys
    to an uncertain welcome.

  22. L.... H....

    Another beautiful song of Neil Sedaka he was so under rated i grew up listening to all of his songs in the early to mid seventies :)

  23. W.... P....

    Welcome, new Americans. We want you here, and we love you.

  24. M.... C....

    Simply beautiful.

  25. N.... O....

    Neil Sedaka did so many great songs, but here he speaks with passion about what makes America great. Kudos.

  26. D.... G....

    The resume of Neil Sedaka can be put up against any from his day. This piece is lyrically beautiful, with a message that we wish could be still true today. It is a shame that for every visitor who honestly seeks "the American Dream", there is one who tries to sneak in, and GET OVER ...

  27. r.... ....

    Rock and Roll Hall of Fame anyone?

  28. M.... M....

    Absolutely class. Such massive talent.

  29. i.... ....

    This lyric from c1974 for the US and is even more pertinent today for the UK!

  30. J.... C....

    This song is what America is made of unless your an American Indian, we are all Immigrants!

  31. L.... P....

    Amazing.

  32. S.... M....

    It's sad that so many want to close our doors. America once stood for freedom. Some of you should try reading the Declaration of Independence. If you like this one check out Buffy Sainte Marie's "Welcome Emigrante" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQrY3RwvVD0

  33. B.... D....

    I remember this song very well from the 70s...one of my favorites from Neil's album, "Sedaka's Back." Loved it so much, and still enjoy hearing it!!!

  34. M.... ....

    Worked in a liquor joint and this tune often came across the easy listing station. Could never connect that it was a dude singing.

  35. S.... A....

    I really regret that AFAIK he never used this beautiful unusually high tenor in serious music. He would have been wonderful in early music for example. Missed ya over there in the real oldies Mr. Sedaka.

    S.... A....

    Susan A. This is serious music and he's a classically trained pianist!

  36. L.... C....

    to john lennon wow i didnt know now i understand the tears

  37. M.... H....

    So poignant and beautiful......I so miss this time,,,,,,,

  38. D.... B....

    brilliant

  39. C.... T....

    they want to come cut our heads off nowadays

  40. C.... B....

    I saw him perform two nights ago in Branson, MO. He voice is still as good as ever. Was amazed! He sang all his hits and then some! If you ever get a chance to see him, take it. He sang the immigrant as part of a two song encore. I have always loved this song because my grand parents came here from Sweden. But, things WERE different them. We can't let the whole world in. There has to be a limit, other wise we cease to be a nation.

  41. C.... K....

    Fantastic & emotionally moving lyrics very apropos in todays day & age just a marvelous song that resonates the times!!!

  42. L.... A....

    Revelation 21:1-4

  43. L.... A....

    Hold onto this sentiment. This describes Jerusalem above.

  44. M.... D....

    One of the most beautiful, underrated songs of Neil Sedaka's entire career......

    M.... D....

    Absolutely agree. I get chills everytime I listen to it.

    M.... D....

    I don't think he was ever underrated. This is a very beautiful and very relevant song in 2019

    M.... D....

    I remember the effect it had on me the first time I heard it. A few years ago I finally visited New York. In a boat approaching the Statue of Liberty I imagined being a young Irish girl seeing that after a long crossing, with this song playing in my mind. Powerful.

  45. K.... H....

    Nice song... Easy on the ears BUT.... It sounds like a promo for OPEN BORDERS and insinuates that anyone who doesn't go along with the idea should be ashamed of themselves.....

    K.... H....

    Kenneth Hoffman this was written well before the massive swarm of illegal immigration. My folks came here they worked hard they never collected social assistance of any kind. And they did it legally.

    K.... H....

    This song was a hit single in the spring of 1975.
    The world was a different place 43 years ago.

    K.... H....

    I think this song was written just to think back to all the immigrants that came in the first half of the century and brought the work ethic of the old country and made opportunities for themselves and others. It was a sweeter time indeed. So many came through Ellis Island. But they did come through and they were accounted for. They weren't running across the southern border.

  46. J.... M....

    Look at the 20 trillion dollar deficit. Obama is responsible for adding 10 trillion. We are fucking broke. Wake up America. Obama hurt this country. Please let Trump fix the Obuma mess. Thank you!

  47. y.... ....

    What a WONDERFUl artist Neil is. Huge talent combined with great principle. Neil, I'm glad you came along.

  48. M.... M....

    Oh yes, this is definitely now one for Donald Trump and the forces of darkness! It may have been written with John Lennon in mind, but a great song can transcend its temporal context, can't it?

    M.... M....

    Only a commie would say that about OUR GREAT PRESIDENT TRUMP! Great song idiot named Max!

  49. J.... C....

    Neil has one of the most Beautiful tenor voices of all time...effortless.

  50. �.... �....

    А ведь Нил действительно полюбил Штаты , коль написал такую вещь !

  51. M.... F....

    Wonderful song and excellent musical performance !

  52. S.... B....

    Grande Sedaka!

  53. C.... b....

    This is so prescient

    C.... b....

    Ohh yes..so so relevant !! A mystical land called America...uh huh ...

    C.... b....

    Only a fake patriot would consider this cliche

  54. R.... H....

    Amazing!

  55. j.... d....

    Just a amazing song.

  56. J.... F....

    This is song is about John lennon when he was fighting to stay in America but it has so much more meaning to it, I think that it highlights the men and women who were denied entry to the United States and the sorrow they felt, its just a great and amazing song.

    J.... F....

    I did NOT know that. Thank you! Always loved this song.

  57. J.... A....

    feel love feel peace and listen

  58. c.... ....

    I forgot how great he was , there is nothing today that compares to this music this has deep meaning into life .

    c.... ....

    After 2000, lyrics and melody started becoming extinct in popular music,..it's sad. Thank God we have these old recordings.

    c.... ....

    cookingnotes 👍

  59. R.... P....

    What a lovelely song, what alovely man

  60. W.... H....

    What a brilliant piece of song writing this is. Perfect pop tune with something to say.

  61. b.... ....

    still a Sedaka favorite.

  62. M.... R....

    love this man...so talented

  63. M.... R....

    Hall of Fame!!!

  64. M.... R....

    love this song.....what a talent!!!

  65. O.... M....

    Agreed on Mr. Sedaka as an extraordinary talent.  Saw him in an intimate concert setting in Las Vegas maybe 5 years ago.  Don't miss it if you get the chance!But regarding the song sentiments, they might easily be assumed to be a longing for a truly different time when "it was a time when strangers were welcomed here...come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty..."  For very, very VERY sadly...some of the "strangers" are no longer held to a simple, understandable and very American standard of immigration LAW.  Terribly politically incorrect to say so, but it's true. Restore the rules, and "The Immigrant" thrives.  Musically and otherwise. Simple.

    O.... M....

    +Owen May It was simpler then. People can to North America and wanted land to work and live on. Another wave of people wanted to work hard and raise their family to do the same.

    Its not the same anymore and although many immigrants may still have the same desires, the world has changed and there are many others who do not share the dreams. The world has enough for all, if it were handled correctly.

    O.... M....

    I might disagree -- if only slightly. The immigrants haven't changed -- not most of them anyway.  The politics of it all has changed. Promises made for reasons of political self-interest. One wonders:  How did we get where we are today -- with the immigration woes all can admit are real -- were it not for the seekers of political advantage who would look the other way.  After all, the added votes are all that seem to count.

    O.... M....

    I saw him in concert about 1 month ago (April or May 2016), at Fallsview Casino (Niagara Falls). And he's still a great showman, even though he is in his late 70s IIRC..

  66. t.... c....

    music that we could learn from to-day ...2016

    t.... c....

    Good to see so many others thinking of this song in these troubling days! I sure wish politicians could be subjected to a good public mouth-washing with a soapy rag when they talk such trash as Trump does!

    t.... c....

    neil dedicated this song to john lennon.

    t.... c....

    Meaning come to America legally!

  67. 5.... d....

    HEY, Trump! Listen to the words you A--Hole

    5.... d....

    Sorry to say, but today's immigrants have it easy...they could get loans to open "Papi stores," Dunkin' Donuts, 7-Elevens, etc. My Polish great-grandparents, on the other hand, had to bust their tails just to keep a roof over my paternal grandmother's (and two great-uncles and five great-aunts) heads, and face the discrimination they, and other Eastern European immigrants, faced in the early 20th Century.

    5.... d....

    Hey, idiot, listen to the American people. We don't want open borders and all the world's spongers and disrupters coming here

    5.... d....

    Looks like 50's doo wop is actually a 50's nit wit.

  68. L.... U....

    q tipo mas dulce y su musica tambien (no homo)

  69. T.... ....

    Awesome!!

  70. r.... ....

    sad how times have changed....f

    r.... ....

    Yeah, now they come here to leech off the working people and bring drugs and mayhem into our country.

  71. R.... C....

    I can't count how many great songs this man has written and he's still great!

    R.... C....

    +Robert Catesby totally underrated...And the greatest 'live' act I've ever seen..even at 69,with an orchestrsa,here in Perth Western Australia

  72. J.... ....

    I took my MIL to the first ever concert in her life to see Neil Sedaka.  It's still the best thing I have seen in 5 years.  And I've seen dozens in that time.

  73. C.... Z....

    Terrific songwriter and singer.

  74. f.... ....

    What an American gem Sedaka is...absolute talent and congeniality.

  75. A.... ....

    For JOHN LENNON.

    IMAGINE...NOW

  76. v.... ....

    I first heard this at a night club in around 1975 and the group played this just beautifully, but I had no idea who wrote it at all. But the song just blew me away and I still love it as much as then. Touching lyrics , a real blockbuster, in my view.

    v.... ....

    @vanislefan That is what I believe music should do. Grab hold of you and make you feel.

  77. J.... R....

    Just wonderful. This man is so full of talent, great singer, awesome song writer and brilliant pianist.
    Song sends shivers up my spine each time I hear it. The whole concert this comes from is equally as excellent. Thanks for the upload!

    J.... R....

    when i hear this song i think of john lennon & charlie chaplin , from both of these men we have much to be grateful for

  78. j.... j....

    Brilliant artist both singing & writing for forty years or more ! thanks Neil