BORN IN THE USA

Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
Till you spend half your life just covering up

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

Got in a little hometown jam so they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land to go and kill the yellow man

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.

Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said "Son don't you understand now"

I had a brother at Khe Sahn fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there he's all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go

Born in the U.S.A.
I was born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
Born in the U.S.A.
I'm a cool rocking Daddy in the U.S.A.

Originally recorded for Nebraska, but released on Born In The USA in 1984, live debuted on 08 Jun 1984 at the Stone Pony. Played each night during the Born In The USA, Tunnel Of Love Express, Human Rights Now!, and (acoustically) The Ghost Of Tom Joad tour. Missed just 3 times in the Human Touch tour, acoustically played often during the Reunion tour (one electric version on 11 Apr 1999). Acoustic debut on 13 Oct 1986, Mountain View, CA. The Tracks version lyrics had minor differences.

Available on:

1. Born In The USA (track 1)
2. Greatest Hits (track 8)
3. The Essential Bruce Springsteen (disc 2- track 1)
4. Live 1975-85 (disc 2- track 13)
5. Live In New York City (disc 2- track 5)
6. Tracks (disc 2- track 15)*
7. 18 Tracks (track 8)*

* Nebraska acoustic version

Liner notes by Bruce Springsteen in the Greatest Hits booklet:

3rd take live in the studio. Paul Schrader sent me a screenplay titled "Born in the USA" (the movie was later released as "Light of Day" for some reason). I'd been working with some Vietnam veterans + I wanted to get it down. (Thanks again, Paul)