On a boat from Japan Five stitches in my head To America to meet my Dad Holding on to paper dolls Different food and different talk I wonder if I'll like this new land Holding on to what Mama said to me They may change your name They may change your name To something they can say But you're gonna be okay We arrive one room flat Between Columbus and Amsterdam I see other girls but I don't look like them Papa opens up a store Selling smokes and trinkets from back home Searching for some form of an American dream Holding on to what mama said to me They may change your name They may change your name To something they can say But you're gonna be okay They may call your names We'll make it anyway They can't change your ways They may change your name But you're the same to me You're the same to me You're the same to me We'll call you Shirley They may change your name They may change your name To something they can say But you're gonna be okay They may call your names We'll make it anyway They can't change your ways They may change your name