Murmansk Run/Ellis Island Lyrics

Your father sailed on the Murmansk run
To guide the flocks of the ships home one by one
Grey beneath the Arctic sun
Or the glow of Northern LightsI see you have his photograph
His eyes are watching for dangers fore or aft
Trading days beneath the sun
For the cold and wintry nights of the Murmansk runHe never did come home to you
It's long forgotten, a childhood dream or two
But something of the cold got through
And it lingers in your eyesOn days like these you hear the wind
And feel the chill of the ice floes closing in
Trading days beneath the sun
For the cold and wintry nights of the Murmansk runSave our souls, river of darkness over me
Save our souls, lost on the dark uncharted seaNow you hide yourself from view
You seem to find it an easy thing to do
Trading days beneath the sun
For the cold and wintry nights of the Murmansk runSave our souls, river of darkness over me
Save our souls, lost on the dark uncharted seaWell you wake up in the morning on Hester street

And run to the factory, You can't afford to be late
Working every morning, every evening, every day
For your money, Yet there's nothing to saveWatching your life pass by the window
Feeling it all run through your hands
Counting the thousands behind in the lines
Waiting time for their chanceFrom Ellis Island, day after day
From Ellis Island, dreams slip awayMeanwhile from the market come the cries
Of every tongue and every nation
Refugeless refugees
Faces from the endless plains of Russia
Blonde Norwegian, dark Croatian
Songs in sad minor keys
Feeling the heat inside the fumace
Trying to make that break away
Reaching their hands for a grip
On the edge just to slip back againFrom Ellis Island, day after day
From Ellis Island, dreams slip awayAh well I've heard it said
If you just use your head
You can make your fortune here
One lucky break and that's all it would takeBut it never seems to be near
Another day, another ship pulls into harbor
And the crowd spills down the gangway
Clutching their suitcases tightBlinking in the sunlight at the door of the new world
They hold the handrail
With all the post thrown behind
Caught in between now and forever
Wondering just what lies ahead
Each one is waiting and hoping
The door will be open to themOn Ellis Island, day after day
On Ellis Island, time slips awayFrom Ellis Island, day after day
From Ellis Island, dreams slip awaySave our souls, river of darkness over me
Save our souls, lost on the dark uncharted sea
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