American Tune

[King Of Paperboys]

Many's the time I've been mistaken
And many times confused.
Yes, and I've often felt forsaken
And certainly misused.

Oh, but I'm alright, I'm alright,
I'm just weary to my bones.
Still you don't expect to be
bright and bon vivant
so far away from home, so far away from home.

I don't know a soul who's not been battered,
I don't have a friend who feels at ease.
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
Or driven to its knees.

Oh, but it's alright, it's alright,
For we lived so well, so long.
Still, when I think of the road we're trav'ling on,
I wonder what's gone wrong,
I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong.

And I dreamed I was dying,
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly,
And looking back down at me,
Smiled reassuringly.

And I dreamed I was flying,
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
the Statue of Liberty
sailing away to sea,
And I dreamed I was flying.

We come on a ship to Ellis Island.
We come on a ship that sailed the moon.
We come in the age's most uncertain hours
And Sing an American Tune.

Oh, and it's alright, it's alright.
You can't be forever blessed.
Still tomorrow's goin' to be another working day,
And I'm trying to get some rest.
That's all I'm trying, to get some rest.



(c) Paul Simon, 1973

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I can't listen to this song without crying, and I can't stop listening, so I guess I have to go on crying, for now.

I want my country back. I hate feeling like a criminal and an outsider in the country I was born, the country I served in uniform, the country I've loved so well, so long.

I want the men and women who are dying for lies and oil and revenge to come home, safe. I want the women and men who wear the same uniform I once wore to protect the country I love, not to rape countries with which I have no quarrel.

I want America back.

[peekaloo]

1. I have never been able to listen to that song

without getting teary eyed.

[Trailrider1951]

2. Thanks, King, I just love that song.

And remember when Simon recorded it, our American future looked pretty bleak with Nixon, Watergate, Vietnam, etc. happening all around us. Things will improve, especially since we have a new hope for November. That's something we didn't have in the summer of 1973.

[Taverner]

3. I don't know a soul who's not been battered

I don't know a soul who's not been battered,
I don't have a friend who feels at ease.
I don't know a dream that's not been shattered
Or driven to its knees.

Totally sums it up for me....when I first paid attention to the lyrics to this song, about a year ago - I just started crying.