THE IMMIGRANT BY NEIL SEDAKA

ANALISIS OF THE LYRICS

BY ALEJO GODFROIT

Background :

Immigration has always been an interesting topic. We can discuss and learn from its causes. Economical , educational and loving circumstances may be the reasons for leaving the place where people were born.

Slide 1:

At the beginning of the song there is an invitation to the foreigners. It showed the future was in America. Everything was ready and people only had to go there.

Chorus :

This part describes it was a very good time for people arriving in America. Music and the sweetest tunes were everywhere.

Slide 2:

People arrived full of hopes, but there was not a beautiful place to live in or magical land to die for. America had closed their doors to foreigners.

Conclusion :

I think this song is about people who leave their country searching a better place to live. They hear about a magical land called America. They go there full of plans and hopes but finally they cannot succeed because they are cheated. There is not any promise land.

Song: Slide1 Harbors open their doors to the young searching foreigner. Come to live

in the light of the big L of liberty. Plains and open skies bill boards would advertise. Was it anything like that when you arrived. Dream boats carried the future to the heart of America. People were waiting in line for a place by the river.

Chorus It was time when strangers were welcome here. Music would play they tell me the days were sweet and clear. It was a sweeter tune and there was so much room. That people could come from everywhere.

Slide 2Now he arrives with hopes and his heart set on miracles. Come to marry his fortune with a hand full of promises. To find they've closed the door they don't want him anymore. There isn't anymore to go around. Turning away he remembers he once heard a legend. That spoke of a mystical magical land called America.