I wasn't even seventeen 
when I believed the grass was greener 
where life is one big movie scene 
of beauty queens and paper boy achievers

Wednesday nights at Mary's house 
I tried to open up to Jesus 
cause I had seen them raise their brows 
to the only non-believer in

America, America

In an air-conditioned class 
I auditioned for Mrs. Townsend's choir 
David wore a cowboy hat 
he lip-synched like she ordered him

We prayed for soldiers in Iraq 
to give them strength to fire (to fire)
we pledged allegiance to the flag 
we praised our freedom caught between the borders of

America, America

Marys father brought us home 
he drove us through the heart of Texas 
once in Dallas I was shown 
the spot where JFK got shot