Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
End up like a dog that's been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just to cover it up now

Born in the USA
I was born in the USA
I was born in the USA
Born in the USA now

Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hands
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man

Born in the USA
I was born in the USA
I was born in the USA
I was born in the USA

Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man said, "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my VA man
He said, "Son, don't you understand now?"
(Ok)
(No, no)
(No, no, no)

I had a brother at Khe Sanh
Fighting off all the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone

He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go

Born in the USA
I was born in the USA now
Born in the USA
I'm a long gone Daddy in the USA now
Born in the USA
Born in the USA
Born in the USA
I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the USA now

(Oh, no)
(Oh, no, no, no)
(Oh, no, no)
(Oh, no, no, no)
Hey
(Oh, no, no)
Woo


Lyrics submitted by oofus

Born in the U.S.A. Lyrics as written by Bruce Springsteen

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Born in the U.S.A. song meanings
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  • +7
    General Comment

    "Born down in a dead man's town... " -- A little contrary to picture perfect Americana portrayed in 'Father Knows Best' and 'Leave it to Beaver' aint it?

    "Got in a little hometown jam... " -- Jail or fight. I respect those that chose to fight, but it still wasn't right.

    "Come back home to the refinery... " -- Think our economy is bad today? Pull your head out your arse. The 70's were a true economic nightmare.

    "Went down to see my V.A. man... " -- America only supports winners pal. Besides, those who spit on you at the airport are in charge now.

    "I had a brother at Khe Sahn... " -- Actual kin or comrade in arms? Ask a Vietnam veteran. They will tell you there is no difference.

    "I got a picture of him in her arms now... " -- There was no such thing as closure for the 'Nam vet in the 70's and early 80's. If this song were written a few years later the picture would have been left at an ebony wall in D.C.

    "I'm ten years burning down the road... " -- The war is over, yet it isn't.


    While watching the news the other day at lunch with a coworker who served as a Navy Corpsman in Vietnam, I observed that we were about 40 years too late in learning how to treat our veterans.

    He answered me with silence... eyes lowered.

    Damn those that dared to humble the bravest of a generation. You and your spawn will NEVER have my support or respect.

    rancidcrabon September 25, 2007   Link

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