American Kid

I was once an American kid

growing up on hallowed ground

rode to the river on a pretty red horse

in a pretty little country town

but I grew up fast and I cast my vote

for the President

and I had my doubts but I still had hope

until I read the finer print

don’t look now but it won’t be long

they’re gonna wonder what we did

and we’ll have to admit that we done them wrong

god help the American kid

well I read the news and the papers too

and I see ‘em on the TV screen

maybe they know not what they do

but I wish they’d say what they mean:

“We stole this nation fair and square

and a whole lot of people in chains.

But it was all for the glory of God, I swear!

And the glory of capital gains.”

don’t look now but it won’t be long

they’re gonna wonder what we did

and we’ll have to admit that we done them wrong

god help the American kid

and all the little kids all around the world

some have and others don’t

but god loves all the boys and girls

god knows America won’t

I hear them holler in my head

can you hear that lonesome sound?

well it may be true that we made our bed

but I ain’t takin it lyin down

don’t look now but it won’t be long

they’re gonna wonder what we did

and we’ll have to admit that we done them wrong

god help the American kid