I Miss America - Harry Chapin

By the time I was thirteen I started takin' shape

At eighteen I was so beautiful that the strangers started to gape

They told me enter the ultimate contest

If you're as gorgeous as you seem

They said, "Please, please, please be our American dream"

But late that night beneath the grievin' moon

There's a dazzling sight in my motel room

For a grunting judge with his bulging eyes

I give my all for his cherished prize

Oh why, oh why?

I, I Miss America crying on TV

Silver clad in satin rags

But everything's where it should be

Oh say, can you see? Oh say, can you see?

After they showed me the game ball they told me put on weight

They told me I'd be so powerful, then they told me I would be great

They told me Uncle Sam he would coach you, his helmet on your head

And they said, "Please, please, please, please

Please win and beat the spread"

But the new game plan that the owners had made

Meant that win or lose there would be a little trade

For the team's become a real gold mine

And the kid's sold off for the bottom line

Oh why, oh why?

Mr. America sweating on TV

The winner's joy from the battered boy

For everything's where it should be

Oh say can, you see? Oh say, can you see?

At last we've come together, call it marriage or civil war

If it brings us to battle, babe, it must be worth our fighting for

Though today came up cloudy, there will be other days

Oh, please, please, please, please

What else is there to say?

But in plywood spread, by a plastic stream

And in separate beds with a borrowed dream

And with questions wide, the silence deep

We take two pills so at last we'll sleep

Oh why, oh why?

Mr. and Mrs. America, our story's on TV

Can you hear canned laughter?

For everything's where it should be

Oh say, can you see? Oh say, can you see?

My little boy he told me something just the other night.

He whispered it as I kissed him before I turned out the light

And of course he said it simple as only children can

He said, "Daddy, daddy, daddy, please

I'm ready to dream again"