Marc Cohn — Ellis Island

[Verse 1] I was driving down Ninth Avenue As the sky was getting dark Didn't have nothing else to do So I kept on riding to Battery Park [Verse 2] I stepped out in the damp and misty night As the fog was rolling in Man said "Last boat leaving tonight Is the boat for Ellis Island" [Verse 3] As my feet touched solid ground I felt a chill run down my spine I could almost hear the sound Of thousands pushing through the lines [Verse 4] Mothers and bewildered wives That sailed across the raging sea Others running for their lives To the land of opportunity Oh, down on Ellis Island [Bridge] "What is this strange paradise?" They must have wondered through the cries and moans After all they sacrificed Their faith, their families, friends and homes [Verse 5] Then on the separation stairs They were counted out or counted in Frozen while the inspector stared Down on Ellis Island Oh, down on Ellis Island [Bridge] Oh Yeah Yeah [Verse 6] Me I only stumbled in Just to wander around that empty hall Where someone else's fate had been Decided in no time at all [Verse 7] And cases filled with hats and clothes And the belongings of those who journeyed far They're strange reminders I suppose Of where we're from and who we are [Verse 8] But as the boat pulled off the shore I could see the fog was liftin' And lights I'd never seen before Were shining down on Ellis Island Shining down on Ellis Island