American Tune

Lyrics

Many is the time I've been mistaken

And many times confused

Yes, and I've always felt forsaken

And certainly misused

Oh, but I'm all right, I'm all right

I'm just weary to my bone

Still, you can't expect to be

Bright and bon vivant

So far away from home, so far away from home

I don't know a soul who's not been battered

I don't have a friend who feels at ease

I don't know a dream that's not been shattered

Or driven to its knees

Oh, but it's all right, it's all right

We have lived so well so long

Still, when I think of the road we're traveling on

I wonder what's gone wrong

I can't help it, I wonder what's gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying

I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly

Looking back down at me

Smiled reassuringly

And I dreamed I was flying

High up above my eyes could clearly see

The Statue of Liberty

Sailing away to sea

And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower

We come on the ship that sailed the moon

We come in the age's most uncertain hour

And sing an American tune

Oh, but it's all right, it's all right, it's all right

You can't be forever blessed

Still, tomorrow's going to be another working day

And I'm trying to get some rest

That's all I'm trying to get some rest

Credits

• Written by: Paul Simon
• Recorded at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal, Quebec, 2006-07-04
• Musicians:

Elvis Costello - vocal, acoustic guitar

Allen Toussaint - vocal, piano

Daniel Thouin - keyboards, musical director

Al Baculis - bass

Tony Albino - drums

Réjean Bouchard - guitar

Rick Haworth - guitar

Joanna Peters - percussion

Kumpa'nia - percussion emsemble

Discography

Albums:

• none

Singles:

• none

Collections:

• none

Soundtracks:

• none

Various Artists collections:

• Tribute To Paul Simon, 2007

Alternate Versions:

• none

Covers

Recorded by:

• Paul Simon, on There Goes Rhymin' Simon, 1973
• Starland Vocal Band, on Starland Vocal Band, 1976
• Simon & Garfunkel, on The Concert In Central Park, 1982
• Willie Nelson, on Across The Borderline, 1993
• Indigo Girls, on Turn Of The Decade 1989-90: Ben & Jerry's Newport Folk Festival, 1997
• Eva Cassidy, on American Tune, 2003

Bootlegs

• This section may be incomplete.