[Verse 1] They tell us, “Go back where you came from,” “We don’t want you here”. Like this country didn’t raise me Or teach me this here Like you ain’t got the same pistol under your chair. You shouldn’t sound threatening, Boy you shouldn’t go there. I’m an American too, I got the right, let’s be clear. To bear arms and speak truth I choose thru rhythm and blues. I’ma speak loud and be true, Don’t mean to be rude Sorry to say it plainly don’t back down from these fools. You can question where I came from, but you don’t make the rules. You wanna act pretty petty, well, I’m pretty petty too. Pretty petty protects family, pretty steady with this tool. Same streets, same struggle, same red, white and blue. American me, American you— please don’t get it confused… [Hook — Punchy rhythm, Stacked Male Harmonies, Crisper Cadence] American me, American you, Red, white and the blue. Makes no difference to me, somehow matters to you. Same streets, same bills, same damn rent due. I ain’t part of the problem, I’m part of the crew. American me, American you, yeah, this much is true— This land belongs to me, as much as it does to you. [Verse 2] They talkin’ bloodlines and birthrights, like somebody owes you something. pull it by your bootstraps— nobody owes you nothing. Before the Stars and Stripes, folks were already here. Different colors, different cultures, something different in the air. Now we all eat from the same plate, we’re at the round table. Put your hand across your chest, ……stand up if you’re able. Pledge allegiance to the flag, the one we carried through the fight. The one that hung above our homes, the one we claimed was right. Don’t you ever in your life Say what it should look like. You don’t get to choose. American me, American you— don’t you get it confused. [Hook — Even Bigger Harmonies, Crisper Cadence] American me, American you, Red, white and the blue. Makes no difference to me, somehow it matters to you. Same streets, same bills, same damn rent due. I ain’t part of the problem, I’m part of the crew. American me, American you, yeah, this much is true— This land belongs to me, as much as it does to you. [Instrumental Break] [8 bars — warm acoustic guitar picking with Southern blues phrasing, supported by organ, live bass, and restrained 808s. Keep it soulful and laid-back. No loud electric guitar, no rock riffs, no distorted guitar] [Breakdown — Half-Time / Spoken-Sung] I learned America through music, through school halls and city blocks. Through football games and cookouts, corner stores and parking lots. Through church pews and soul records, through hip-hop in the car. Nobody handed me this country— it’s just part of who we are. So I don’t need permission. I don’t need your point of view. If America made part of me, I’m part of America too. [Final Hook — Full Stacked Soul Harmonies, Big Cadence Hit] American me, American you, Red, white and the blue. Makes no difference to me, somehow it matters to you. Same streets, same bills, same damn rent due. I ain’t part of the problem, I’m part of the crew. American me, American you, yeah, this much is true— This land belongs to me, as much as it does to you. [Final Refrain — Harmonies Widen] American me… American you… American me… American you… Don’t you get it confused. [Outro — Acoustic Guitar, Organ, Low Harmony] Proud to be an American. Where atleast I know im free.. American me….. [Fade with acoustic guitar and stacked male harmonies] American you…
