Now, I'm stealing cigarettes I'm selling them off to friends for rent Plus a paycheck and I'm still in debt I'm asking, "How can this be?" I know they know I'm beneath them Even homeless assholes know my name Now it's urban flight, or a cell for the night You know it's all the same One can tell themselves about when going gets rough Determination just ain't enough When overtime defines your life This American me This American me ♪ Tradition tells us home own But my time card's saying no go And now the suits are talking foreclose From sea to shining sea Time was a war time economy Was the silver lining to tragedy But even those with homes are now those alone In the land of the free I asked for nothing and I got it in spades I worked for a living and I earned a cage They say I look old for my age This American me This American me This American me (This American, this American, this American) This American me (This American, this American, this American) This American me