neil sedaka the immigrant

[@kimkochel8157]

My grandparents were immigrants from Germany. Thank you for your song Neil. Like all of your music. I also enjoyed your book,"Laughter in the Rain". Saw you in concert once,you were GREAT!!!. From a proud Canadian. 🌈🌈🦋🌹

[@zachsplawn9131]

This song has never seemed more appropriate for the times as it is now. I sang this song in my Sophomore year of High School. I've always loved this song.

[@speedviper47]

As soon as I hear the first chords of this song, I get a lump in my throat and the tears come flowing down my face. I am such a patriotic person, I love my country and what it means to be so fortunate to have been born here. And, then I hear people protesting about how bad America is, how we are not a good country, and it breaks my heart. I served my country for three years back in the late sixties with one of them in Vietnam. When I got off the plane in Toledo, Ohio the first thing I did was to get down on my knees and kiss the tarmac. And I said to myself, I will never complain about my circumstances or anything else about my life. I'm fortunate to come back alive!

[@aalemap1]

Thank You for your service.... YOU ARE NOT A SUCKER OR A LOSER..... REMEMBER THAT....

[@elizabethmuller9242]

👍😁God bless you. Thank you for your service. My dad was in WWII, and my son served with the 1st Cavalry 13 SIG BN at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq in 2003 - 04 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. My love for America runs very deep and always has. It's a love like no other.

[@cehayes74]

Thank You to all those who served & died serving our country !!! The sacrifice that you all made so that I can enjoy the freedoms I do cherish 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 !!!

[@dwpeterson1969]

@@aalemap1 I totally get the reference and agree with you wholeheartedly

[@basicsforbaroqueimprovisation]

Immediate Goose Pimples. I was a young Sedaka fan when this song came out. A beautiful era ! Thank you for posting this Bernie !

[@evaittner9247]

I heard this song for the first time, at least for the first time I can recall, a couple of days ago on the radio. It really moved me. Even though it is from 1974, the content is so relevant today. Beautiful and compelling song.

[@mariofollowerofjesus8068]

Neil Sedaka wrote this song for John Lennon when John was having Imagragration problem s He was friends with John Lennom

[@carlweaver3243]

Just finished an interview with the lyricist of this song. His name is Phil Cody. He wrote the words about his father's immigration from Sicily.

[@Nigel1505]

Lovely song, Neil is a very underrated artist. He has written many good songs over the years,

[@beeweejr]

Yes. Laughter in the Rain, Bad Blood, Hungry Years, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.

[@gesx6598]

True. I grew up in his era and I just never really appreciated his talent. I do now.

[@jeffzapata8483]

By far, the most talented artist, composer, musician and singer, in my lifetime!

[@robertciappetta3026]

This song is very sad and it tells a story of where we were as opposed to where we are. But the dream of freedom and opportunity is still here. There was a time when strangers were welcome here!

[@imogeneclark2518]

He wrote many..many..many songs for so many artist...Hats off Neil

[@poppybright6695]

Such a beautiful song, from a lovely man. Unforgettable. Thank you, Neil.

[@martinlabow9011]

Neil Sedaka had this on the charts in 1975. Beautiful and unfortunately very timely. People..listen to the lyrics..Dedicated at that time to John Lennon.

[@mariofollowerofjesus8068]

If you look at the album. Sedackas back. After the lyrics to this song It says Dedicated to John Lennon

[@wordnmusic]

I remember when this song first came out. My wife and I were young newly married people. Her grandparents came over from Portugal. My great grandparents came over from England. The country accepted people of different cultures, ethnicities and views. Now these many years later in the Trump Era, an opposing view could get you hurt or worse. The color of your skin can be taken as a badge of dishonor. Families are pulled apart. Progress has always been slow. But it seems progress now is a Lilly white view of the world. How sad for my grandchildren. How sad for the world.

[@goneatlast8419]

Wordnmusic, I share your sorrow. My paternal grandfather escaped to America from occupied WWI Poland to avoid being drafted into the German army. Today, day # 35 of the government shutdown, Lady Liberty weeps under the jackboot of the US sitting president. Yes, this sitting president idolizes the despots and tyrants of the world, especially his special friend, Putin. Perhaps he sees himself as he gazes at them. Perhaps there is more... That's why I hope each of us picks up the phone to let our US Representatives know that no president should hold the operation of the federal government hostage over a twisted, ineffective political stunt- his precious wall. Yes, debate the wall in both Houses after the government is fully operational. Open the government first, then debate the sitting president's precious wall.

[@tenorandguitar]

Agree, but “then is the, now is now”…it’s a great shame, but the World has allowed population to explode…and if only because humans tend to be based on cities and urban areas, it’s simply not pragmatic to continue with the opportunities and rights we previously had…adding too many people just impacts on the standard of living and opportunity for those already there!…it’s not possible to stake out a piece of land and build a farm anymore…indeed that became the case long ago! It’s simply a different World.

[@musiccollector]

Thanks for the fabulous memories of 1975.

[@kenpalmer1965]

That was a great year for music indeed!

[@dianadegroot6295]

This song didn't get much air time when it first came out... I almost forgot it. Then heard it on the car radio a few days ago. The words touched me so, I had to pull my car over I was crying......... It's so hard to believe That there really was a time when the world shared our dream... when every mans dream was to come to America to make his fortune.... Now there 'isn't any more to go around................ It makes me long for a time when the world shared in a dream called "America" When strangers were welcome here.

[@Araconox]

The World conveniently forgets what builds countries and cultures , the people who come afar at great sacrifice to forge a new life in a strange land. I can certainly understand why you cry...and most should join you if they spent a few minutes thinking - and feeling-about what our ancestors had to endure.

[@tinamcintosh160]

God bless you

[@barrys4922]

I remember hearing it quite a lot on the radio in 1974 or 75, whenever it came out. Of course, I had no life and listened to the radio constantly. This song touched me even back then - until I realized it was written in honor of his friend, John Lennon: Lennon, a multi-millionaire, was going to be all right wherever he lived. Still a great song, but not as touching in that context.

[@loripatrick5711]

Amen

[@speedviper47]

Me too, every time I listen to this!

[@fairchildco.6567]

I had almost forgotten this one and its so appropriate now

[@robertr64]

Great song; saw him a couple of days ago in Lancaster, PA, and he sounds almost as good as ever!

[@survivrs]

The days were sweet and clear, not sweet and clean. No biggie, this is the first time I've listened to this great song since the 70's. Thank you for your work and sharing with us!!!! I know that somewhere I have my old 45rpm and it's gray from being played over and over way back then in those great old days.

[@lindyc.2552]

This is such a beautiful song (instrumentally and lyrically). I have loved this song since it first came out in the 70's. I saw Sadaka in concert back then and was heart broken that he did not play this song. This song has never gotten the acclaim it deserves! I am a U.S. history fanatic and this song is so beautiful when you think of the sheer numbers of humanity who came in these "dream boats" to the land of liberty and freedom. Escaping poverty and tyranny they risked everything over the last few centuries to start anew in America. Both my maternal and paternal grand parents were among them. This song sends me back in history to picture all those men women and children making the perilous voyage to this new land so full of promise. But sadly things change. But there was such a time when immigrants from every country in the world came to America in search of their dreams. I guess because I love American history this song takes me back to that time, and thinking of all the thousands of personal family stories lost to history.

[@kimkochel6754]

Quite the story Lindy. I hope that America can be better again, if the right decision is made on who goes into the White House. 🙏🙏

[@aalemap1]

4more days......💙🇱🇷💙

[@maryannemelenka9250]

Beautiful song for today. My grandparents were from Europe Ukraine and Ireland. I'm 61. Canadian. I work with a lot of immigrants from harsh war torn countries they are wonderful, patient and caring,hardworking, you'd think they'd be angry, no, they are grateful for a better life. They don't worry about petty problems compared to where they came from. Of course will always get odd bad apple but majority are wonderful. We can learn so much from them especially now in the U.S, some have seen Insurrection many times over, must be shocked it's happening in North America yes it can happen here.

[@beeweejr]

Play this song 3 times driving. Love the lyrics, the vocals, the music arrangement.

[@headmower1]

I first heard this song in 1975, what a really neat time it was , life was so full of dreams and hope for the future.People still want to come to America for the dream and hope fore a future.Amen!!!

[@juliebiddle1636]

Not any more. Now they're walking across the border in sub zero temperatures and losing fingers to frostbite trying to get to Canada.

[@sarahsouth8193]

+July Bidle, what are you talking about? I live in Canada, and the weather is almost exactly the same as in New York City, or Boston. Nobody I know is losing fingers around here. Learn something.

[@joeyeagan5186]

Beautiful song. Powerful message. Incredibly, we have a president and his supporters who want to wall in our country. It breaks my heart.

[@aalemap1]

ELECTION day is 4 days from today...... PLEASE ......😔 HE NEEDS TO GO.....! !

[@joekavanagh7089]

2020 - America rectified its mistake

[@andygrant4059]

Neil sedaka sang a lot of great songs, but this is my favorite, also dedicated to John Lennon when he was fighting the US immigration around 1975 ✌

[@vampyros1]

"Music would play they tell me the days were SWEET and clear", fwiw : ) Thanks for posting this great Sedaka classic.

[@randem5370]

you saved me the trouble... I was going to correct them myself... sometimes ya need to let them know 😎

[@vampyros1]

@@randem5370 Glad to have helped!

[@musiccollector]

This gem evokes wonderful memories of 1975. Sedaka's best song. Released March 15, 1975 reaching #22 on May 17.

[@beeweejr]

Shouda been top ten.

[@patrickryan1515]

@@beeweejr Agree.

[@kennethhamlett166]

I wish Mr. Sedaka would re-issue this recording today in 2021 to help Americans remember what our country once was & should be again!

[@vanislefan]

Great idea and I hope it happens.

[@jsore]

You mean secure borders, right?

[@docjoe86]

@@jsoreThere were literally no restrictions on American immigration until the 1880s and there weren’t very many restrictions until the 1920s.

[@kathleenbangs8533]

When he hits the big notes and belts out ...A MYSTICAL, MAGICAL LAND CALLED...AMERRRICA... I always tear up. Thank you Mr. Sedaka. What a timeless song. Let’s not lose what America stood for.

[@barnetrebel776]

You too...

[@Muzikgirl67]

JUST AS GOOD AS GOLD!!..Thank you soooo very much for posting and sharing with all of us this "rarely heard anymore and forgotten" gem that peaked at #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for Neil back on the week of May 17, 1975...I thoroughly enjoyed listening, and the sound quality is TOP-NOTCH too! Take Care! Ms. Elizabeth 📟🎧💿📻🎵

[@vanislefan]

I first heard this in a nightclub by a local band, not knowing what it was. It was done so well, was so fresh that I never forgot the feeling it left with me. Deserves much more play and recognition in my opinion.

[@AndyK3221]

Yes it was the same for me vanislefan. One of those songs that make the hair on your arms stand up. Very moving. All the best Andy

[@harveyskolnick5543]

Such a meaningful song from such a talented individual.

[@1mmickk]

Sedaka and Greenfield, Sedaka and Cody. Three of the best.

[@driver3464]

Was a time when strangers were welcome here and it GODDAM needs to come again

[@mwduck]

Welcome to all who come legally.

[@FuntastixBand]

Very true. It has to be like this song speaks of. My family's name is on the Ellis Island registry.

[@CapMan1249]

Beautiful song then and still today. Many of my family tree are immigrants some were also here all along. America is diversity.

[@bradcorey1]

awesome song. i reckon it seems a bunch of appropriate nowadays. thank you for sharing!

[@deb53]

My paternal grandparents came from Croatia, and I am proud of that heritage! From a proud American!

[@TommyGadd]

Listen to his voice, it’s absolutely flawless effort and so much depth. This song is epic and shows his incredible talent

[@calhensley820]

Thank you for posting this video! I love the picture, and it brought back a great memory!!! I was a senior in high school, and it was the day before the last day of school. Our government teacher asked if anybody had this record. It was 1975, the year if came out. Nobody answered, so I said I can get it. I went out and bought it that evening. At the end of class the next day he played it, and that was the end of our last day of government class!!! No comments, nothing!!! I never got my record back. I'm sure he wan't to play it for his other class's, but that was money well spent!!! I know it left an impression on everyone in the class!!!

[@aalemap1]

Great Memory..... Took me back to school too....

[@calhensley820]

@@aalemap1 Thank you!

[@gysoyosa]

“I wrote a song called “The Immigrant” for my friend John Lennon during his immigration battles in the 1970s. I’ll never forget when I called to tell him about it. Overwhelmed by the gesture, he said, ‘Normally people only call me when they want something. It’s very seldom people call you to give you something. It’s beautiful.’” - Neil Sedaka

[@thetheatricdyspraxic6510]

What's interesting (And most certainly unintentional) was that Charlie Chaplin had a film called The Immigrant and the lyrics to this song perfectly capture what they did to him in the 50s.

[@scottburton9701]

Fantastic song!

[@DMSJagXK]

This song was dedicated by Neil Sedaka to John Lennon but the lyrics were actually written by Phil Cody and were about his Italian father entering America.

[@MarkRegets]

I first heard this song at a time when Trump was trying to slash legal immigration by 60%. The line "There was a time when strangers were welcome here" brought me to tears.

[@unclejohnthezef]

ahead of it's time: I used to think it was an unnecessary song about the past... it's really an ongoing story

[@Araconox]

Exactly. This is where it all started and people forget that.

[@docjoe86]

At the time this song was written, thousands of refugees from Vietnam and Cambodia were being resettled in the United States and many Americans were throwing a fit.

[@beeweejr]

Always love this.

[@jwest3511]

Thanks for posting. It needs to be heard.

[@JKSCN]

LOVE ❤️ THIS SONG SO MUCH!

[@DavidStewart-yv3bg]

God please bless America in these 2024 times.

[@jwest3511]

Spread the news. Email this tune to your friends.

[@maryannemelenka9250]

I did, such beautiful music never played anymore Music wasn't meant to be locked up or thrown away.

[@maryannemelenka9250]

Congrats! America, this song dedicated to you and all people s of the world. A renewed hope from dispair. My favorite song from and written by Neil Sedaka. Congrats Biden and Harris. From a Canadian neighbour. All the best for future.

[@scottburton9701]

It's been noted that Neil wrote this song for former Beatle John Lennon who was fighting deportation at the time.

[@surferpam1]

It is an absolute shanda this man isn't in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame

[@tombradford7035]

Genius singer songwriter, a one-off.

[@raebeia]

+Tom Bradford Sedaka didn't write this.

[@tombradford7035]

Read this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Immigrant_(Neil_Sedaka_song)

[@raebeia]

+Tom Bradford Thank you for the correction. I read an article on U-Discover and thought it said that the writer's parents came from Eastern Europe and he wrote the song and Sedaka sang it. I must have misunderstood.Perhaps they were talking about his co-writer?

[@philco6645]

Neil wrote the chords and melody and I wrote the lyric . . . and the song was for my Dad who came here from Sicily in 1930

[@hockaday2fer2]

@@philco6645 Thank you, Mr. Cody

[@jo-annchapman1964]

If there was ever a song that needs to be heard again and often it's this one. Supposedly Sedaka wrote it in protest against the U.S. government's treatment of John Lennon. However your (I'm Canadian) president makes it more relevant than ever in a way that Sedaka may never have intended. I hope he starts playing it again.

[@aalemap1]

Thank You..... Exactly.....

[@jwest3511]

Spread the message message..... what a beautiful song.

[@ecbelect]

Great tune and lyrics

[@pete6645]

Fantastic song. We usually think of Neil Sedaka as a teenybop idol of the late 50s/early 60s but this song shows what a stylish performer and songwriter he evolved into.

[@domingodelacruzc.5818]

Que Buenos tiempos ;es una de mis faviritas de los 70's cuando tenia yo unos 14 años mas o menos.

[@iangwilliams8812]

This lyric from c1974 for the US and is even more pertinent today for the UK!

[@maevenoble8482]

I don't think so! Are you aware of how many immigrants we have in the UK? People don't come here to better their lives anymore. They come to get free housing, benefits and free health care! Then they try to change the Country into the Country they have just left. Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of foreign friends whom I adore and who came to the Country many years ago to better themselves....and they have. These days are very different. They have more rights than we do and apparently, if we are called White Trash by them it's okay.

[@peterlacombe2132]

Though this song was written over 40 years ago it still is very relevant today. What the hell is happening to us,we have becombe so fearful so hateful

[@greatwhite61967]

As a kid growing up from the mid 60s then my teens in the 70s i always had this preconceived notion that Neil Sedaka just wrote & sung whimsical love songs & im seriouslly late this song but im glad to have finally found & the lyrics are just amazing... Like all great artists they can wrap up & deliver storied or messages within their songs that even those with their eyes wide open completely miss because of the song was sang & structured & though sticks out than most it still seems to try to pass itself of as nothing to be scared about or its anti this & anti that but it really captures a time in America when the door was left wide open for anyone to come through it but you can clearly hear in the lyrics of this song that those days are gone yet they still try to say come on in but that only seems to amply to those who are conformist... Damn , Neil Sedaka sure held nothing bacl in this song... No doubt it will already be ahead by many hours in certain countries so i'll Wish You All Around The World A Merry Christmas & even though those in power are , according to them , trying their best to stop this now Omicron variant of the coronavirus , so do stay safe & healthy & All The Best Over The Festive Period of 2021 .....

[@rwboa22]

I could have pictured my Polish-born great-grandparents going through all the obstacles placed on Eastern European immigrants back in 1914 when they immigrated from war-torn Austria-Hungary (as Poland did not exist back then). They only came hear to protect themselves and my (now late) Aunt Stella from the harm the First World War caused, unlike my English-born great-great grandfather, who was sent here in 1893 by his employer to help establish a lace factory in Marcus Hook (the former American Viscose Company).

[@barryscottwhite]

Richard Bowley o

[@kimkochel6754]

Wow!!! What a great story Richard. Greetings from Canada. 🇨🇦

[@kimkochel6754]

My grandparents immigrated to Canada from Germany. So this song has a very special meaning to me.

[@maryannsmith4160]

Pray for America.We Thank You! during this election Nov,2020.🙏❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸😊❤️🇺🇸❤️❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸🙏

[@kimkochel6754]

@@maryannsmith4160 I will,as Americans deserve their country to be better again. 🙏🙏🙏🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@robertdavies7540]

This song was not a chart hit in the UK, but when Gary Davies played it on BBC R2 this morning it sounded familiar, and so appropriate to today that I was totally moved. Thank you bernieb48 for sharing this with us.

[@tidewaterrat]

Such a beautiful song of hope and promise. So sad that so many descendants of immigrants want to pull the gate closed behind them. Especially 2nd and 3rd generations whose families haven't been here very long. My earliest ancestors were here 390 years ago, but we were still immigrants to someone else's land. This song should be played more on patriotic holidays to remind us all how our nation was formed.

[@gpomeroy69]

This is one of the shiftiest songs ever

[@maryannemelenka9250]

My grandparents came from Ireland and the Ukraine.

[@ExVegan]

I heard this song for the first time today. I was very young when it came out, but I was an American living in the UK at the time, and I don't think it got a lot of air play there. Such a poignant song that's still relevant today.

[@michaelbrewder9508]

I remember this song from 1975 WWWE Cleveland 8th grade going to Avon Aqua Marine Lodge in the middle of winter

[@miguelperro614]

In loving memory of those who came here so I could have a better life.

[@jayl6318]

my family was in Cuba in 1530 as immigrants from the old world " Spain" most of us are immigrants to the Americas. The song is a tribute to all of us.

[@michaelfranklin4276]

We're not the same country we were when this song came out.

[@aquarius2914]

What country throughout the world is the same today as it was back in the '70's when this gem was released though?!

[@JuneLynn]

I love this song for 2 reasons...my Dad and Grandparents on both sides were born in Italy....I remember my mom telling me that when my grandmother arrived here by boat she cried when she saw the statue of liberty because she was so happy but sad because she knew she would never see her mother back in Italy again. Also Neil Sedaka dedicated this song to John Lennon when he was trying to get his green card to live in the US....sadly the times are so different now because of all the hatred and racism.... this song was written in 1975 but is even more important today..

[@lumpy0100]

Thanks bernieb48.🙂 .Neil Sedaka...was He the Huge music idol/"Teenage Heartthrob a few decades back? Nvrmnd; Thanks to "kim michel" + Et Cetera Above + Below.😁🤗

[@CB-xr1eg]

Music would play they tell me the days were *SWEET* and clear.

[@scottburton9701]

Can't believe this fantastic song stalled at # 22 in 1975.

[@scottthiemann2420]

amazing song, and yes, should have hit #1...easily. says so much about how shallow we are as a people....

[@parsmanjim7366]

definitely my favourite Neil song !

[@bcstechnologylimited896]

One of the few songs by Sedaka that made any kind of political statement, albeit a myopic one. Ironically, "The Immigrant" was supposed to be a tribute to his father, but somehow went off on a tangent when Sedaka dedicated it to John Lennon's immigration woes in the early 1970s-the Nixon administration was attempting to have Lennon deported due to his anti-war activities. Despite what the lyrics might imply, the USA has never systemically denied immigrants entry to the country. However, at the time Sedaka wrote this, the immigration folks were much more discriminating about who was allowed in than they are now. Nowadays, just about anything that shows up at our shores is allowed in, occasionally with unfortunate consequences (q,v,, the UK and the problems resulting from unfettered immigration from the Middle East).

[@henryanderson8569]

Top song thanks Niel

[@lindaventimiglia3611]

The correct lyrics are "People would tell me the days were sweet and CLEAR", NOT CLEAN.

[@craftsandstuff3349]

I was wondering how the days could be clean

[@rickw1100]

Talk about a message for today.

[@chasjazzmusic]

More current now than when Neil Sedaka penned it decades ago..some change is good but not always..sometimes it's best to let the status quo just flow...

[@libertelibre]

The great Neil Sedaka !

[@petercarl4173]

great song , very relevant now

[@MrBachfie]

Harbours open their arms to the young searching foreigner Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty Plains and open skies billboards 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 It was a 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 Now he arrives with his 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 any more to go around Turning away he remembers he once heard a legend That spoke of a mystical magical land called America There was a 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 There was a 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

[@JohnSmith-ue7rp]

How symbolic of today.Beautiful song.

[@mdelaubergine8930]

Great song.

[@michaelspilman5220]

inspired by the US governments disgracefull refusal to let john lennon become a u s citizen . a great song from the genius Neil sedaka . thanks Neil . From Michael from Yorkshire and proud of it .

[@miguelperro614]

Anybody else finding this one relevant in 2018?

[@goneatlast8419]

Yes, indeed. Today is Day #35 of the sitting president's wall-induced federal government shutdown. Call your US Representative today. 2019: This is the year sitting president will be forced by rule of law to face the consequences of his choices. America, will you answer?

[@HansSnavely]

Great song

[@michaelbrewder9508]

I always thought of this as "the Cleveland song" when I was a child

[@petersando]

Right on!

[@lawrencewarren7254]

Bless Johnny Ace.....thanks Neil !

[@jackinthegreen5178]

Neil Sedaka was/is a genius from both a song writing perspective and his remarkable voice which could be compared to Liquid Gold. It is stunning to me but not surprising that many who listen to this song, do NOT 'hear' this song. This song so eloquently and painfully describes the notion that America is NOT a promise to the hopeful, hungry, seeking immigrate. On the contrary-"TO FIND THEY CLOSED THE DOOR--THEY DON'T WANT HIM ANYMORE--THERE ISN'T ANYMORE TO GO AROUND". This is the saddest of songs, bemoaning a time and place that does NOT exist anymore.

[@jwest3511]

If you are listening to this, you must email, or whatever app, send it your friends and relatives. We can only survive as the nation of nations.

[@libertelibre]

Now this beautiful story is over !

[@jackshenhouse]

Thought of this song today...

[@mrob75]

hi jacks...me, too...added it to my FB page with the title: DON'T GIVE UP...I'M NOT GIVING UP AND NEITHER SHOULD YOU...

[@dirtbikeevent7162]

remember in WW2, if you made it to the Swiss Apls, from Germany, you were safe and free? That's what I want this country to someday be.....

[@danmerwood5999]

inspired by John Lennon's fight to stay in America

[@JayBee-wy3tv]

Amen.

[@romheiskell2783]

Inspired by true patriotism.

[@ennui2000]

John Lennon fought hard to get a green card to escape the punitive taxation in the UK at the time. That was Harold Wilson's "super-tax" of the mid-1960s. The top bracket was 83%, but they added a 15% surcharge for the super-wealthy (i.e., Beatles). So people like Lennon were looking at a tax rate of 98%. Lennon wasn't the only one. Ringo Starr sought and found refuge in LA. Mick Jagger got a posh place in Jamaica. Roger Moore became a tax refugee in Switzerland. It spawned a veritable cottage industry in England, helping the super-wealthy emigrate to lower-tax countries.

[@philco6645]

I'm sorry to mess up the mythology but I wrote this lyric for my Dad who came here from Sicily in 1930. He wasn't famous or important, but he sure loved being in America!

[@lindajgaeta8935]

@@philco6645 thank you! so poignant ... what year did you write this?

[@sparekitty1]

I have always loved this song, which came out when I was a child. People are still welcome here, they just need to do it legally! Trump 2016

[@elkalabaw7665]

pook him.

[@baxbi]

ignoramous

[@garyjones2561]

Stephanie Stovall Yeeaaahhh!!!😄😉

[@Regal99]

That's the problem, Trump ASSumes all immigrants are illegal ones...

[@dawnnickelson]

Except two of his wives :O

[@maudlagrange1304]

Love you with all my heart .❤❤❤

[@MrBachfie]

Neil Sedaka - "The Immigrant" Harbours open their arms to the young searching foreigner... Come to live in the light of the beacon of liberty Plains and open skies billboards 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 It was a 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 Now he arrives with his 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 any more to go around Turning away he remembers he once heard a legend That spoke of a mystical magical land called America There was a 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 There was a 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

[@lumpy0100]

Thanks Bernie Et Al.🙂