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Credits
PERFORMING ARTISTS
Willie Nelson
Performer
Barry Bales
Acoustic Bass Guitar
Jim "Moose" Brown
Piano
Fred Eltringham
Drums
Kevin "Swine" Grantt
Acoustic Bass Guitar
James Mitchell
Electric Guitar
Larry Paxton
Bass Guitar
Mickey Raphael
Harmonica
Michael Rojas
Synthesiser
Matt Rollings
Piano
Bobby Terry
Acoustic Guitar
Buddy Cannon
Background Vocals
Melonie Cannon
Background Vocals
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Guy Clark
Lyrics
Roger Murrah
Composer
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Buddy Cannon
Producer
Tony Castle
Recording Engineer
Steve Chadie
Recording Engineer
Lyrics
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 line 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 couldn't hold my feelings inside
I saw started with nothing and working hard all of his life
"So don't take it for granted" said grandfather's immigrant eyes
He would rock and stare out the window
But his eyes were still just as clear
As the day he sailed through the Harbor
And came ashore on that island of tears
My grandfather's days were 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
Sometimes when I looked in my grandfather's immigrant eyes
I saw that day reflected and couldn't hold my feelings inside
I saw started with nothing and working hard all of his life
"So don't take it for granted" said grandfather's immigrant eyes
"Don't take it for granted" said grandfather's immigrant eyes
Writer(s): Roger Murrah, Guy Clark
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