The Appellate Immigration Project

Lagniappe

At TAIP, we are inspired by artists and songwriters. Our work representing immigrants, migrants and refugees is important - and this page shares some of our inspiration.

 

Lagniappe

/lan’yap/: broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure

 
 

“City of Immigrants”

Steve Earle

Livin' in a city of immigrants
I don't need to go travelin'
Open my door and the world walks in
Livin' in a city of immigrants
Livin' in a city that never sleeps
My heart keepin' time to a thousand beats
Singin' in languages I don't speak
Livin' in a city of immigrants

City of black
City of white
City of light
City of innocents
City of sweat
City of tears
City of prayers
City of immigrants

Livin' in a city where the dreams of men
Reach up to touch the sky and then
Tumble back down to earth again
Livin' in a city that never quits
Livin' in a city where the streets are paved
With good intentions and a people's faith
In the sacred promise a statue made
Livin' in a city of immigrants

City of stone
City of steel
City of wheels
Constantly spinnin'
City of bone
City of skin
City of pain
City of immigrants

All of us are immigrants
Every daughter, every son
Everyone is everyone
All of us are immigrants - everyone
Livin' in a city of immigrants
River flows out and the sea rolls in
Washin' away nearly all of my sins
Livin' in a city of immigrants

City of black
City of white
City of light
Livin' in a city of immigrants
City of sweat
City of tears
City of prayers
Livin' in a city of immigrants

City of stone
City of steel
City of wheels
Livin' in a city of immigrants

City of bone
City of skin
City of pain
City of immigrants
All of us are immigrants

“I Am A Patriot”

Steven Van Zandt

And the river opens for the righteous, someday

I was walking with my brother
And he wondered what's on my mind
I said what I believe in my soul
Ain't what I see with my eyes
And we can't turn our backs this time

I am a patriot, and I love my country
Because my country is all I know
I want to be with my family, the people who understand me
I've got nowhere else to go

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous, someday

And I was talking with my sister
She looked so fine
I said, "Baby, what's on your mind?"
She said, "I want to run like the lion
Released from the cages
Released from the rages
Burning in my heart tonight"

And I ain't no communist
And I ain't no capitalist
And I ain't no socialist
And I ain't no imperialist
And I ain't' no democrat
And I ain't no republican
I only know one party
And it is freedom
I am, I am, I am

I am a patriot, and I love my country
Because my country is all I know

And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous
And the river opens for the righteous, someday

"Walls And Doors"

"Muros y Puertas"

Jackson Browne translation of Muros y Puertas

Carlos Varela

Ever since the world's existed
There's one thing that is certain
There are those who build walls
And those who open doors
Ah but this my love I'm thinking you already knew

For some it's always winter
While others have the spring
Some people find good fortune
While others never find a thing
Ah but this my love is something you already knew

That's how it's always been
And I know you know it
There can be freedom only when nobody owns it
I'm going to say that again
Because I know you know it
There can be freedom only when nobody owns it

Of what use is the moon if you don't have the night?
Of what use is a windmill with no Quixote left who'll fight?
Ah but this my love is something you already knew
At some point on the horizon
Sky can be confused with earth
Some people dream of God
While others dream of wealth
But of course my love this is what you see out on the street

It's how it's always been
And I know you know it
There can be freedom only when nobody owns it
Let me say that again
Because I know that we both know it
There can be freedom only when nobody owns it
When nobody owns it
When nobody owns it

Ever since the world's existed
There's one thing that is certain
Some people build walls
Others open doors

Desde que existe el mundo
Hay una cosa cierta
Unos hacen los muros
Y otros hacen las puertas
Pero eso mi amor
Creo que eso ya lo sabes

Unos tienen invierno
Y otros las primaveras
Unos encuentran suerte
Pero otros ni siquiera
Pero eso mi amor

Creo que eso ya lo sabes

Y siempre fue así
Y eso tú lo sabes
Que la libertad solo existe
Cuando no es de nadie

De que sirve la luna
Si no tienes la noche
De que sirve un molino
Sino quedan quijotes
Pero eso mi amor
Creo que eso ya lo sabes

Y mientras se confunde
La tierra con el cielo
Unos sueñan con dios
Y otros con el dinero