The American In Me

Steeples of white, winds of change and fear Flag's on fire, something looming near From shore to shore, from sea to shining sea I am this land, maybe this land is me Familiarity breeds contempt, My innocence, wondering where it went You must defend what you think is yours Sometimes I fight little dirty wars It's the American in me Foxhole prayers, crucifixions burn You can endure, that don't mean you learn I'm not even sure what is being done Sometimes I wonder what will become Of the American in me Sometimes I look, I don't want to see It's the American in me Old men in dining cars of all-night trains Looking out the windows at the small town names They dream of days gone by with eyes soaked in reverie And singing "My Country 'tis of Thee" Sometimes I'm right and sometimes I'm wrong Sometimes I go where I don't belong What's liberty? The history books are stained Sometimes I'm proud, sometimes I'm so ashamed Of the American in me Don't mistake dissent for disloyalty It's the American in me It's the American in me It's the American in me It's the American in me