The nighthawk flies and the owl cries as we’re driving down the road
Listening to the music on the all night radio show
The announcer comes on says if you’ve got ideas I’ll file the patent for you
What’s an idea if it’s not in the store makin’ a buck or two

We drive to the town but the shutters are down and the all-night restaurant’s closed
Its the land of the free,we’ve got booze and T.V. and there’s tramps in the telephone booths
The stars and thе trees and the early Spring breeze say forgеt what assassins have done
Take our good soil in the palm of your hands and wait for tomorrows sun

It's a long way from the heartlands to Santiago bay
Where the good doctor lies with blood in his eyes
And the bullets read U.S. of A

A truck driver’s wife she leads a rough life he spends his life on the road
Carrying the goods all the copper and wood that's what makes America great
But the dollars like swallows they fly to the South where they know they’ve got something to gain
Allende is killed, and the trucks are soon rolling again

The nighthawk flies and the owl it cries as we’re driving down the road
The full moon reveals all the houses and fields where good people do what they’re told
Victor Jara he lies with coins in his eyes there’s no one around him to mourn
Who needs a poet who won’t take commands who’d rather make love then war

It's a long way from the heartlands to Santiago bay
Where the good doctor lies with blood in his eyes
And the bullets read U.S. of A