American Tune

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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

American Tune
Written byPaul Simon
Performed byThe Imposter
Produced bySteven Mandel
MusiciansElvis Costello - vocals
?uestlove - drums
Ray Angry - keyboards
Kirk Douglas - guitar
Mark Kelley - bass
Ian Hendrickson-Smith - saxophone
Dave Guy - trumpet
ReleasedJuly 4, 2017
SinglesAmerican Tune, 2017
Length4:31
NotePrecise musician credits are not available. Musicians identified by Steven Mandel are listed with their usual instruments.

First known performance:
July 4, 2006, Montreal, QC, Canada
Last known performance:
July 18, 2006, New Orleans, LA
     (7 known performances)


Alternate version

American Tune (Live 2006)
Performed byAllen Toussaint & Elvis Costello
MusiciansAllen Toussaint - vocal, piano
Elvis Costello - vocal, acoustic guitar
Daniel Thouin - keyboards, musical director
Al Baculis - bass
Tony Albino - drums
Réjean Bouchard - guitar
Rick Haworth - guitar
Joanna Peters - percussion
Kumpa'nia - percussion ensemble
RecordedJuly 4, 2006, Montreal, QC, Canada
Released2007
AlbumsTribute To Paul Simon, 2007
Length4:09

Single: American TuneAmerican Tune 10" single front label.jpg

Tribute To Paul SimonTribute To Paul Simon album cover.jpg


Recordings by other artists

 Artist  Year  Release  Links
Paul Simon  1973 There Goes Rhymin' Simon AllMusicWikipediaAmazon
 Starland Vocal Band  1976 Starland Vocal Band
Simon & Garfunkel  1982 The Concert In Central Park
Willie Nelson  1993 Across The Borderline
Indigo Girls  1997 Turn Of The Decade 1989-90: Ben & Jerry's Newport Folk Festival
 Eva Cassidy  2003 American Tune
Charlie Wood  2009 Flutter And Wow

Internal links

External links