Marc Cohn - Ellis Island Lyrics
I was driving down ninth avenueAs the sky was getting darkDidnt have nothin else to doSo I kept on riding to battery parkI stepped out in the damp and misty nightAs the fog was rolling inMan said, last boat leaving tonightIs the boat for ellis islandAs my feet touched solid groundI felt a chill run down my spineI could almost hear the soundOf thousands pushing through the linesMothers and bewildered wivesThat sailed across the raging seaOthers running for their livesTo the land of opportunityDown on ellis islandWhat is this strange paradise?They mustve wondered through their cries and moansAfter all theyve sacrificedTheir faith, their families, friends and homesThen on the inspection stairsThey were counted out or counted inFrozen while the inspectors staredDown on ellis islandNow me I only stumbled inJust to wander around that empty hallWhere someone elses fate had beenDecided in no time at allAnd cases filled with hats and clothesAnd the belongings of those who journeyed farTheyre strange reminders I supposeOf where were from and who we areBut as the boat pulled off the shoreI could see the fog was liftingAnd lights I never seen beforeWere shining down on ellis islandShining down on ellis island
