The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Hear me, hear me
Didn't I sail the water against my every will?
Didn't I fetch that water when your bucket needed a refill?
Where was all the water when the fire was burning up the cross?
I'm your nephew too it's true, oh, hear me, Mr. Boss
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can you hear me, can you hear me? Listen to me
Didn't I get all A's in school, oh, yes I did now Uncle Sam
My books did not have covers on 'em still I did the best I can
How come I can't get no job, I just don't understand
Don't you love me anymore, why can't you tell me Uncle Sam
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
I've lived the life a citizen's supposed to
So why I gotta be the illegitimate nephew
Remember me, Uncle Sam I fought your war
And went all out not knowing what I was fighting for
Sam why'd you let them rape my great grandmother?
Then go to the oak tree and hang her brother
When Abe was slaving there wasn't a fuss
So where was you when they was in my yard burning the cross?
Do you love me or what, Uncle Sam, what is it?
You wanna maim me and claim the grand wizard
I'll let that pass and marched for a just 'cause
Then got uncivilized rights with unenforced laws
Passed your curriculum got a diploma
And can't get a job 'cause my skin has color
You say things changed between now and then
Now, I wanna know the difference between me and him?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can't you hear me Uncle Sam
I'm your nephew, yes it's true , oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Hear me, hear me
Didn't I sail the water against my every will?
Didn't I fetch that water when your bucket needed a refill?
Where was all the water when the fire was burning up the cross?
I'm your nephew too it's true, oh, hear me, Mr. Boss
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can you hear me, can you hear me? Listen to me
Didn't I get all A's in school, oh, yes I did now Uncle Sam
My books did not have covers on 'em still I did the best I can
How come I can't get no job, I just don't understand
Don't you love me anymore, why can't you tell me Uncle Sam
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
I've lived the life a citizen's supposed to
So why I gotta be the illegitimate nephew
Remember me, Uncle Sam I fought your war
And went all out not knowing what I was fighting for
Sam why'd you let them rape my great grandmother?
Then go to the oak tree and hang her brother
When Abe was slaving there wasn't a fuss
So where was you when they was in my yard burning the cross?
Do you love me or what, Uncle Sam, what is it?
You wanna maim me and claim the grand wizard
I'll let that pass and marched for a just 'cause
Then got uncivilized rights with unenforced laws
Passed your curriculum got a diploma
And can't get a job 'cause my skin has color
You say things changed between now and then
Now, I wanna know the difference between me and him?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended knee just like the other man?
Didn't I die in Vietnam and didn't I walk in Birmingham?
I'm your nephew, yes it's true, oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can't you hear me Uncle Sam
I'm your nephew, yes it's true , oh, can't you hear me Uncle Sam
Can I sit upon your bended
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Uncle Sam Lyrics as written by Prince Rogers Nelson Paula Sherield
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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