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Ellis Island

from Wild Bird, Fly Free by Gerry Madigan

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    New album of all original material from singer/songwriter Gerry Madigan in the folks/roots/country genre. This is a beautiful four panel CD including a 16-page booklet with lyrics and information on the artist.

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about

Tells the story about the hardship of emigrating from Ireland to the USA via Ellis Island.

lyrics

It’s hard to smile, on Ellis Island. One short step to liberty
So near, so far away. What will the lady’s answer be
 Chorus: Fare thee well, Ellis Island, and you know it is your shame
For to come into your country, you made me change my name
 
The ship sailed in the harbour after forty days and nights, of sailing on the dark and stormy sea
We were sick and tired and hungry, but our hopes were raised by the lady Liberty
 And now it’s time to stand in line and answer all the questions, that didn’t seem to matter anyway
But the questions must be answered if in the land of Liberty you wish to stay.
 Chorus: Fare thee well, Ellis Island, and you know it is your shame
For to come into your country, you made me change my name
 
We were standing in our glad rags, identified by name tags,
With a number and the place from whence we came
They didn’t speak our language, and they couldn’t understand our foreign names
 For some of us the light was green, but some were kept in quarantine
And some were put on board the ship again
With shattered dreams and dignity they sailed back to their homeland once again
 
Chorus: Fare thee well, Ellis Island, and you know it is your shame
For to come into your country, you made me change my name
 
It’s hard to smile, on Ellis Island. One short step to Liberty
So near, so far away. What will the Lady’s answer be?

credits

from Wild Bird, Fly Free, track released February 14, 2017
Gerry Madigan: Lead/Harmony vocals, 5-string banjo, acoustic guitars; Amy Fernandez: Harmony vocals
Greg Hooper: Concertina; Charlie Arkins: Fiddle; Jerry Proppe: Piano/Bass/Brass Section;
Gavin Sorochan: Drums; Aidan Cunningham: Dobro guitar; Thomas Cummins-Russell: Mandolin

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about

Gerry Madigan Calgary, Alberta

Dublin born singer/songwriter now living in Calgary Alberta Canada - a strong musical pedigree spanning 15 years on the road with The Cotton Mill Boys in Ireland.

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