I've seen American flowers
All across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah
Along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing
In the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers
They will bloom again
On the south side of Chicago
A man who's not yet grown
Went out for a ride
But the car was not his own
He did not see the stop sign
Or boy on his skateboard
And now he's lying broken on the ground
Nobody around
Coulda, could of drove away
But he pulled on over to the curb
And he ran out where he lay
Used his hoodie for a pillow
Said "Little man, you're gonna be okay"
And he waited for the ambulance to come
I've seen American flowers
All across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah
Along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing
In the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers
They will bloom again
Tender was the night
Down in the tenderloin
In an alley off of Ferris street
In the neon glow
When she finally caught that dragon
A mile from Chinatown
She took her wings and eased her body down
She gave a little shudder
But no pain, she felt no pain
She knew that she was back on home in Morgantown again
She could smell the lace slippers
And the wild thimble weeds
"Mama, I was just mad
I never meant to leave"
I've seen American flowers
All across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah
Along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing
In the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers
They will bloom again
Laying rough in Texas is the job for someone younger
And so is catching fast balls from your grandson in the summer
But there you are saying
"Come on kid, let me feel that hummin'"
With your back, and hips, and knees on fire
And he's saying "Come on, Grandpa
When you gonna
Let me throw a curve?"
And you're looking back at him in the sun
And you feel your heart is bursting
And to keep him from himself
And those that mean to hurt him
If that be your will, oh Lord
I've seen American flowers
All across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah
Along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing
In the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers
They will bloom again
Right there off the interstate in
North West Ohio
In the amber waves of grain
And December rows of crows
There arose the two twin spires
Beside a golden dome
The Islamic mosque of Greater Toledo
I was flying down the highway
When it caught my eye
I was sippin' red green soda
I was listening to Johnny Prine
And I saw that golden dome
Against a pink and purple sky
I was singing "Don't let your baby down"
I've seen American flowers
All across this land
From the banks of the Shenandoah
Along the Rio Grande
Do not fear the winter blowing
In the hearts of men
I have seen American flowers
They will bloom again