American Without Tears Lyrics by Elvis Costello

American Without Tears Lyrics

    Outside in new orleans the heat was almost frightening
    But my hotel room as usual was freezing and unkind
    On tv they prosecute anyone who's exciting
    So i put on my overcoat and went down to find

    In revlon and crimpelene they captured my heart
    To the strain of a piano and a cocktail murderess
    She was singing that "it's too late", i agreed with that part
    For two english girls who had changed their address

    [chorus]

    Now it seems we've been crying for years and for years
    Now i don't speak any english, just american without tears
    Just american without tears

    One had been a beauty queen and the other was her friend
    They had known rogues and rascals and showbiz impresarios
    While the boys were licking hitler they had something to defend
    >from men armed with chewing gum and fine nylon hose
    By a bicycle factory as they sounded the siren
    And returned into the dancehall she knew he was the one
    Though he wasn't tall or handsome she laughed when he told her
    "i'm the sheriff of nottingham and this is little john"

    [chorus]

    At a dock in southampton full of tearful goodbyes
    Newsreel commentators said "cheerio, g.i. brides"
    Soon they'll be finding the cold facts and lies
    New words for suspenders and young girls backsides

    Now i'm in america and running from you
    Like my grandfather before me walked the streets of new york
    And i think of all the women i pretend mean more than you
    When i open my mouth and i can't seem to talk

    Now it seems we've been crying for years and for years
    Now i don't speak any english just american without tears
    Just american without tears

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