City Lights
Livingston Taylor Lyrics

Rosie crossed the Rio Grande
Rosie illegally entered the United States by crossing the Rio Grande river.

In the middle of the night she swam
Rosie crossed the Rio Grande during the night, by swimming.

With all she could carry
Rosie had only a plain cloth sack to carry her belongings.

In a plain cloth sack
Rosie had a simple cloth bag to carry her belongings.

Heading for the promised land
Rosie was making her way to the United States, expecting to find more opportunities.

Never coming back
Rosie had no plans to return to her homeland.

Friends and family stayed behind
Rosie left behind her loved ones.

To haul the crops at harvest time
Rosie had to leave her family and friends behind to help with farming.

They think about Rosie
Rosie's family and friends often remember her, even though she's not with them.

And all those nights
Rosie spent many nights thinking of her life in the US.

She spent thinking of
Rosie thought about

Her city lights
(here, the phrase "city lights" represents the idea of a better, more prosperous life in the city)

City lights shining in her eyes
(here, the phrase "city lights" represents the idea of a better, more prosperous life in the city) Rosie's hope for a better life was reflected in her eyes.

Spreading out like Christmas lights
The city lights shone like Christmas lights do, spreading out and lighting up everything around them.

Under California skies
The city lights were in California, under the night sky.

When the sun goes down
At night,

And those dreams begin to fade
As time passes,

She's got those city lights
(here, the phrase "city lights" represents the idea of hope for a better life) Rosie still has hope for a better life.

To help her find her way
The idea of a better life and the hope it brings continue to guide Rosie.

Times were hard and the jobs were few
Life was difficult for Rosie when she first arrived in the US because she had few opportunities.

City lights were so brand new
The idea of a better life represented by city lights was still very new and exciting for Rosie.

Down in the barrio
Rosie lived in the neighborhood known as the barrio, which was a predominantly Hispanic area in the city.

Good times were hard to find
Rosie's life in the barrio was difficult and she struggled to find good opportunities to improve her life.

So Rosie packs her cares
Rosie tries to let go of her worries and stresses.

And up the hill she climbs
Rosie continues to work hard and climb up the ladder of success.

Rosie never wants
Rosie is determined to hold onto

Those dreams to fade away
Her hope and dreams for a better future.

Never wants to let the rain
Rosie doesn't want negative experiences to hold her back.

Spoil a sunny day
Rosie wants to maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of adversity.

She's go those city lights
(again, the phrase "city lights" represents hope) Rosie continues to hold onto hope for a better future.