After college, Mahal moved to Los Angeles and formed the group Rising Sons with Ry Cooder in 1964. The group signed with Columbia Records and released one single and recorded another album which was not released by Columbia until 1992. Taj, frustrated with the mixed reaction to his music quit the group and went solo. Still with Columbia, he released a well received, self titled album in 1968, and based on its success released a second album, Natch'l Blues that same year. Two very different records - Giant Step, with his electric band, and solo De Ole Folks at Home - were released in 1969 together as a double album. This firmly established Taj as an American blues original. The double album The Real Thing, captured him live at this time, with a horn section.
He has received two Grammy awards in the category "Best Contemporary Blues Album", the first in 1997 for Señor Blues, and again in 2000 for Shoutin' in Key. He has performed on various film soundtracks including Sounder and Blues Brothers 2000, in which he also appeared.
I Pity the Poor Immigrant
Taj Mahal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who wishes he would've stayed home
Who uses all his power to do evil
But in the end is left so all alone
That man whom with his fingers cheats
Oh, and whom lies with every breath
Who passionately hates his life
Oh I do pity the poor immigrant
Whose (?) strength is spent in vain
Whose heaven is like Ironsides
Whose tears are like the rain
Who eats but is not satisfied
Who hears but does not see
Who falls in love with a wealth itself
And turns his back on me
Oh I pity the poor immigrant
Who tramples through the mud
Who fills his mouth with a laughing
And who builds his town with blood
Whose visions in the final end
Must shatter just like the glass
Oh I do pity the poor immigrant
When his gladness comes to pass
I pity the poor immigrant
Who wishes he would've stayed home
Who uses all his power to do evil
But in the end is left so all alone
That man whom with his fingers cheats
Oh, and whom lies with every breath
Who passionately hates his life
And likewise fears his death
In Taj Mahal's "I Pity the Poor Immigrant," the singer expresses empathy for migrants who abandon their homes in search of a better life but face disappointment and alienation in their adopted countries. The lyrics' context suggests that immigrants often become desperate and resort to nefarious means to make a living in their new environments. The song is also critical of wealthy individuals and their egocentric approach to life. The line "falls in love with a wealth itself and turns his back on me" implies that the wealthy are so fixated on their riches that they disregard the needs of others and are disconnected from their own humanity. The song is a commentary on the human condition, and how all people, regardless of wealth, class, or nationality, are subject to the same trials and tribulations.
Line by Line Meaning
I pity the poor immigrant
Sympathy is felt for the impoverished foreigner
Who wishes he would've stayed home
Regret for leaving their homeland is experienced
Who uses all his power to do evil
Every ounce of strength is devoted to malevolent deeds
But in the end is left so all alone
Ultimately left empty and without companionship
That man whom with his fingers cheats
The trickster who deceives with their sleight of hand
Oh, and whom lies with every breath
The liar who fabricates with every spoken word
Who passionately hates his life
The individual who despises their own existence
And likewise fears his death
As well as dreading the end of their life
Oh I do pity the poor immigrant
A repeated expression of compassion towards the foreigner
Whose (?) strength is spent in vain
Their efforts are wasted and have no productive outcome
Whose heaven is like Ironsides
Their ideal future is as hard and unyielding as a battleship
Whose tears are like the rain
Crying is as natural and uncontrollable as rainfall
Who eats but is not satisfied
The desire for fulfilment remains despite satiation of hunger
Who hears but does not see
Attention is paid but understanding is lacking
Who falls in love with a wealth itself
The pursuit of money is preferred over human connection
And turns his back on me
Personal values are abandoned for material gain
Who tramples through the mud
A path is taken with disregard for consequences or ethics
Who fills his mouth with a laughing
Laughter is a cover for the emptiness inside
And who builds his town with blood
Success is achieved through violence and aggression
Whose visions in the final end
The dreams and aspirations that are held
Must shatter just like the glass
Will ultimately be destroyed like fragile glass
Oh I do pity the poor immigrant
A repeated expression of compassion towards the foreigner
When his gladness comes to pass
The eventual attainment of joy and satisfaction
I pity the poor immigrant
A final expression of sympathy for the impoverished foreigner
Writer(s): Bob Dylan, Dylan Bob
Contributed by Lily T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.