Marc Cohn Ellis Island Written by Marc Cohn Marc Cohn vocals/acoustic guitar Larry Campbell acoustic guitar John Leventhal high strung guitar Jon Brion harmonium Jane Scarpentoni cello AGFCAGFC Am G F C I was driving down Ninth Avenue Am G F C As the sky was getting dark Am G F C Didn't have nothin' else to do Am G F C So I kept on riding to Battery Park Am G F C I stepped out in the damp and misty night Am G F C As the fog was rollin' in Am G F C Man said, "Last boat leaving tonight Am G F C Is the boat for Ellis Island AGFCAGFC Am G F C As my feet touched solid ground, Am G F C I felt a chill run down my spine Am G F C I could almost hear the sound Am G F C Of thousands pushing through the lines Am G F C Mothers and bewildered wives Am G F C That sailed across the raging sea Am G F C Others runnin' for their lives Am G F C To the land of opportunity Am G F C Oh down on Ellis Island Bb F What is this strange paradise Am F They must've wondered through the cries and moans Bb F After all they sacrificed, Gm Bb Am C Their faith, their families, friends and homes Am G F C Then on the separation stairs Am G F C They were counted out, or counted in Am G F C Frozen while the inspector stared Am G F C Down on Ellis Island Am G F C Oh down on Ellis Island Bb F Am F Who-o-oh yea-a-ah BFAFC Am G F C Now me I only stumbled in Am G F C Just to wander around that empty hall Am G F C Where someone else's fate had been Am G F C Decided in no time at all Am G F C Cases filled with hats and clothes Am G F C And the belongings of those who journeyed far Am G F C They're strange reminders I suppose Am G F C Of where we're from and who we are Am G F C But as the boat pulled off the shore Am G F C I could see the fog was lifting Am G F C And lights I'd never seen before Am G F C Were shining down on Ellis Island Am G F C Shining down on Ellis Island AGFCAGFC From Marc Cohn "Burning the Daze" Atlantic Records 1997 Museum Steps Music(ASCAP)