Emigrant Eyes

In Canada, the United States and Australia, (and others) we owe a huge debt to emigration. And at the same time, we tend to forget that all of us, at some point in our past had connections to other countries. The sad thing for me, is that in forgetting this fact, I have noted a tendency in our countries to look askance upon people who are new and from other more exotic places.

This old barn is located on the Henry Titchkosky homestead and was built in the late 1800's. The poem below is sung by Rita McNeil and is offered as memory and tribute to each of us and our emigrant past.

Emigrant Eyes

Old Elise Island was swarming
like a scene from a costume ball
decked out in the colours of Europe
on fires with the hope of it all

there my father's on father stood huddled
with the tired the hungry the scared
the turn of the century pilgrims
bound with the dreams that they shared

They were standing in lines just like cattle
They were pulled insulted and shoved
Some were one desk away from sweet freedom
Some torn from someone they loved

To the sprawling tower of babble
came a young man confused and alone
determined and bound for America
carrying everything that he owned

Sometimes when I look
in my grandfathers Emigrant eyes
I see that day reflected
I can't hold my feelings inside
I see starting with nothing
and working hard all of his life
don't take it for granted
say grandfathers emigrant 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
came ashore on the Island of tears

Now my grandfathers days are numbered
but I won't let his memory die
he gave me the gift
of this country
and the look in his Emigrant eyes

Sometimes when I look
in my grandfathers emigrant eyes
I see that day reflected
I can't hold my feelings inside
I see starting with nothing
and working hard all of his life
Don't take it for granted
say grandfathers Emigrant eyes

don't take it for granted
say grandfathers emigrant eyes.

Lyrics by: Guy Clark and Robert Murrah