Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus & Tom Waits
Primus
Primus
Primus
Primus
This is the fourth track on Primus' 1991 album Sailing the Seas of Cheese.
The song discusses the views of the United States for those who come here searching for a better life. The song shows that the reality is much more grim than what they may have expected. The song seems to give commentary tha...
[Verse 1]
In a town in southernmost Sicily
Lived a family too proud to be poor
In the year that fever took father away
They hastened for American shores
Now a mother and her son are standing in line
It's a cold day on Ellis Isle
And they look to the Statue of Liberty (liberty, liberty)
[Chorus]
For the boy we have American life
[Verse 2]
Ong is a Laotian refugee
He works in the audio trade
The smoke from the flux is filling his lungs
He's earning minimum wage
Spending spare time down on
San Pablo Ave
Once a week gets a woman for the night
And he writes home tales of prosperity (prosperity, prosperity)
[Chorus]
For the boy we have American life
For the boy we have American life
(Scat singing)
[Verse 3]
Bob is an unemployed veteran
Born and bred in the South Bronx
He's living off the streets down in east L.A
Residing in a cardboard box
Now he plays a little guit' and he has a small dog
Searching for aluminum cans
And he holds on tight to his dignity (dignity, dignity)
[Chorus]
He was born into American life
He was born into American life
For the boy we have American life
American Life was written by Les Claypool & Primus.
American Life was produced by Primus.
Primus released American Life on Tue May 14 1991.