Story Behind The Song
For my nephew who joined the US Army in 2004
Song Description
Growing up- leaving home- Life-What battles will we choose to fight?
| Song Length |
3:00 |
Genre |
Pop - Alternative, Country - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Annoyed, Disconcerted |
Subject |
Conformity, Armed Forces |
| Similar Artists |
Lucinda Williams, Neil Young |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
The American Way
Four generations
Three mothers
All living under the same roof
Someone?s got to break the cycle
Leave the nest
Fly away for good
Now Mama?s leaving Papa
Three more
Have flown the coup
Hey Hey GI Joe
Did you have to go
So far away?
The oldest child
The only son
The sweetest one now wears a gun
Mama is so proud of you
Daddy doesn?t seem as loud
As he used to
Little sister?s gonna have another baby
If it?s a boy
She?s gonna name it after you
Hey Hey GI Joe
Did you have to go
So far away?
The war at home
Keeps raging on
But he has found himself
A new battalion
Joining up to get away
The armed forces looked pretty good that day
Now he?s prepared to fight
For The American Way
So you follow their plan
Join the Marching Band
Answer the man with a ?YES! DRILL SARGEANT!
They say prove yourself (Well don?t fool yourself)
Don?t lose yourself
Keep your eye on the target
Do your time
Learn your trade
This is how a man is made
Hey Hey GI Joe
To build your dream
Some one?s got to pay
Hey Hey GI Joe
It?s not what it seems
The American Way