[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