American Jerusalem

[Verse 1: Shawn Colvin]

New York City rain

Don’t know if it’s makin’ me

Dirty or clean

Went for the subway but there was no train

And the tunnel was grumbling for repairs again

And the sign says welcome to American Jerusalem

[Verse 2: Shawn Colvin]

I’ve been around

You could spend forever

Makin’ a friend in this town

All you get to do

Is lay your dollar down

Until you’re stumbling drunk up the stairs again

And the sign says welcome to American Jerusalem

[Chorus: Shawn Colvin & Emmylou Harris]

In the temples of American Jerusalem

They buy an ounce of South African gold

They don’t care who was bought or sold

Or who died to mine it

[Chorus: Shawn Colvin & Emmylou Harris]

In the temples of American Jerusalem

They buy an ounce of Marseille white

Somewhere on a street with no light

Somebody dies tryin’ it

[Verse 3: Shawn Colvin]

Then somewhere in a crowd

Lookin’ that kinda way that’ll make you turn around

There’ll be somebody who knows what it’s about

And he’ll take the ribbons from your hair again

And welcome you to American Jerusalem

[Chorus: Shawn Colvin & Emmylou Harris]

In the alleys of American Jerusalem

The homeless lie down at the dawn

The pretty people wonder what they’re on

And how they afford it

[Chorus: Shawn Colvin & Emmylou Harris]

In the ashes of American Jerusalem

The prophets live their deaths out on the corner

The pretty people say there should’ve been a warnin’

But nobody heard it

[Verse 4: Shawn Colvin]

Then shadows lick the sun

The streets are paved with

Footsteps on the run

Somebody musta got double

'Cause I got none

I forgot to collect my share again

So go west to breathe the cleansing air again

Go Niagara for your honeymoon again

Go on the road if you’re gonna sing your tune again

Go out to sea and learn to be a man again

Until you come on home to American Jerusalem