Gary Loren Jahns - Land Across the Sea Lyrics

Now, my name is not important, and my story's not so bold
I worked these years to make a life, and now I'm growing old
I never asked for nothing, and I never did things wild
When I did, I swear it was for my dear wife and child
There was no food on the table, not one single pea
While folks said food was plentiful in the land across the sea

Well, that was back in 1889 when princes ruled our time
I shot a deer so he could eat a consequential crime
That prince caught me red-handed, you could say I wasn't smart
But I made my stand and fired, put a bullet through his heart
My wife, Adeline, was terrified. She said I had to flee
So I bid adieu and headed for that land across the sea

You and me, we will be free in the land across the sea
Follow me, we will be free in the land across the sea

Well, in a bustling seaport town, I loaded ships both night and day
And if all workers went ashore, well, the crew could not really say
For three days, I did stow away, but then they found my lair
The captain said hard labor, but I really didn't care
My ship sailed into New York Harbor, captain set me free
I am safe, my letter said, from the land across the sea

Well, I made my way out to Dakota, worked as a railway roustabout
And I sent the money to Adeline to bring her and Bertha out
We made a good life in this land, had three more girls, two boys
The sound of our kids running free was such a joyful noise
I left behind my crime, we found opportunity
Here in this place we call home, in our land across the sea

You and me, we will be free in the land across the sea
Follow me, we will be free in the land across the sea

So my name is not important, and my story's just like yours
We all came as immigrants from famines, fear, and wars
Me, I came in by Miss Liberty when she was three years new
The other day, I read what she still says to me and you
Give me your tired, your huddled masses, yearning to breathe free
It's all our stories, you and me, in our land across the sea

It's all our stories, you and me, in our land across the sea
It's all our stories, you and me, in our land across the sea