Springsteen writes this song in an attempt to reflect the tales of many immigrants who came to America from the mid-19th to early-20th centuries. Many believed America was a magical place where “the streets were paved with gold”, and anyone who worked hard enough could make their life better. However, many immigrants had to take jobs with horrible conditions and faced hatred and discrimination from other Americans.

The song was part of his album “Wrecking Ball” where he questioned the so-called American dream and the glory of our nation. He said in a 2012 interview,

What was done to our country was wrong and unpatriotic and un-American and nobody has been held to account…There is a real patriotism underneath the best of my music but it is a critical, questioning and often angry patriotism."

The music of the song borrows elements from traditional Irish folk music, perhaps because many early immigrants to America were Irish.