American Life

[Verse 1]

In a town in southernmost Sicily

Lived a family too proud to be poor

In the year that fever took father away

They hastened for American shores

Now a mother and her son are standing in line

It's a cold day on Ellis Isle

And they look to the Statue of Liberty (liberty, liberty)

[Chorus]

For the boy we have American life

[Verse 2]

Ong is a Laotian refugee

He works in the audio trade

The smoke from the flux is filling his lungs

He's earning minimum wage

Spending spare time down on

San Pablo Ave

Once a week gets a woman for the night

And he writes home tales of prosperity (prosperity, prosperity)

[Chorus]

For the boy we have American life

For the boy we have American life

(Scat singing)

[Verse 3]

Bob is an unemployed veteran

Born and bred in the South Bronx

He's living off the streets down in east L.A

Residing in a cardboard box

Now he plays a little guit' and he has a small dog

Searching for aluminum cans

And he holds on tight to his dignity (dignity, dignity)

[Chorus]

He was born into American life

He was born into American life

For the boy we have American life