Album Cover for The Immigrant Ballads, Vol. 1 by Maestro Sersea
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
I appreciate, and hold America dear,
There’s no other place where I’d rather be here.
Gave it all up just to feel the fresh air,
To live at my best, put my heart in a prayer.
I came from a land where dreams were so scarce,
Corruption and pain, it was too much to bear.
But now I’m standing strong, with hope in my eyes,
Proud to call this home, beneath these wide skies.
[Chorus]
I’m proud to be here, in this land of the free,
A chance to work hard, to be all I can be.
Left behind the struggle, the hurt and the strife,
To reach for the top and build me a life.
Thank you for welcoming, for believe in me,
Together with faith and with love we’ll succeed.
[Verse 2]
Rolling up my sleeves, ready to take a stand,
I’ve got lots to give, and I’m proud of this land.
Generations ago, they walked in my shoes,
Fought through the troubles; they had nothing to lose.
So I’ll carry their fire, let it light up my way,
With every hard day, I grow stronger, I stay.
[Chorus]
I’m proud to be here, in this land of the free,
A chance to work hard, to be all I can be.
Left behind the struggle, the hurt and the strife,
To reach for the top and build me a life.
Thank you for welcoming, for believe in me,
Together with faith and with love we’ll succeed.
[Bridge]
Nothing’s ever easy, but I’m willing to try,
With determination and dreams, I’ll spread my wings and fly.
As I weave my story, I’m learning from the past,
It’s a beautiful journey, and I’m home at last.
[Chorus]
I’m proud to be here, in this land of the free,
A chance to work hard, to be all I can be.
Left behind the struggle, the hurt and the strife,
To reach for the top and build me a life.
Thank you for welcoming, for believe in me,
Together with faith and with love we’ll succeed.
[Outro]
So here’s to the future, with a heart full of cheer,
In this land of opportunity, I’m proud to be here.
“Proud to Be Here” – Analysis
From Escape to Belonging
“Proud to Be Here” captures the emotional arc of immigration—leaving behind systemic corruption and scarcity to embrace newfound opportunity. What makes this song powerful is its emotional authenticity: the immigrant doesn’t simply arrive grateful; they experience genuine pride and relief at having escaped genuine hardship. “Corruption and pain, it was too much to bear” acknowledges real dysfunction in the country left behind, making America’s relative stability and opportunity feel precious rather than taken for granted.
Agency in Sacrifice
The opening lines—”gave it all up just to feel the fresh air”—frame immigration as a deliberate choice involving real loss. This immigrant didn’t flee in desperation alone but made a calculated sacrifice: leaving behind everything familiar for the possibility of breathing freely and living authentically. This reframes immigration not as economic desperation but as existential choice—prioritizing dignity and opportunity over the security of the known.
Historical Consciousness
The song demonstrates sophisticated historical awareness. “Generations ago, they walked in my shoes / Fought through the troubles” connects this immigrant to earlier waves of immigration and struggle. Rather than viewing their experience as unique, they recognize themselves as part of a continuum. “I’ll carry their fire” suggests responsibility to honor those who came before by persevering through current challenges.
Gratitude as Strength, Not Weakness
Repeated thanks—”thank you for welcoming, for believe in me”—express genuine appreciation without diminishing immigrant worth. This gratitude flows from recognition of opportunity, not from servility. The immigrant acknowledges America’s openness while confidently asserting their own capacity to contribute and succeed.
Pride Reclaimed
The central assertion—”I’m proud to be here”—is quietly radical. In a climate where immigrants are often made to feel like burdens or threats, this simple declaration of pride stakes a claim to belonging and dignity. The immigrant doesn’t apologize for their presence; they celebrate it.
Integration and Home
The bridge’s “I’m home at last” signals that belonging has moved beyond legal status to emotional reality. Home isn’t merely a location but a state of safety, opportunity, and self-actualization—something the immigrant has earned through courage and sacrifice.
“Proud to Be Here” affirms that immigrant pride in America and American pride in immigrants can coexist authentically.
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