I am a Balkens' son

Leather is my trade

Came here long ago

21^st of May

1926 sailed into the states

37 years took me here that day

 

Daughters came with me, Zara, Adaline

Mothers gone away an angel in the sky

 

Landed on an isle

Ellis was its name

Brother stayed at home

Many others came

I made my way to the heart of Illinois

Not much longer I found myself employed

 

Leather took its shape, hammer in my hand

Bought a home and grew my roots into this land

 

Every weekend at Pacific Garden Mission

I'd talk with the servicemen and ask of their position

I'd ship new clothing out in boxes to my brother

Mark them care of me one after the other

 

I am an immigrant that somehow found my way

Always wished that my brother would have came

 

I never found myself another bride to be

I never turned around to face the stormy sea

Said so long Serbia so glad that I am free

So long brother again to never see

 

My daughters grew into mothers and wives

Connecting roots to tell the tale of an immigrant's life

IMMIGRANT'S LIFE

Written by Pete Kartsounes July 11, 2006