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Artist: The Pogues
Track: The Body of an American

Lyrics
The cadillac stood by the house
And the yanks they were within
And the tinker boys they hissed advice
'Hot-wire her with a pin'
Then we turned and shook as we had a look
In the room where the dead men lay
So big Jim Dwyer made his last trip
To the shores where his father's laid

But fifteen minutes later
We had our first taste of whiskey
There was uncles giving lectures
On ancient Irish history
The men all started telling jokes
And the women they got frisky
By five o'clock in the evening
Every bastard there was piskey

Fare thee well, going away
There's nothing left to say
Farewell to New York City boys, to Boston and PA
He took them out with a well-aimed clout
And we often heard him say
I'm a free-born man of the USA

He fought the champ in Pittsburgh
And he slashed him to the ground
He took on Tiny Tartanella
And it only went one round
He never had no time for reds
For drink or dice or whores
And he never threw a fight until the fight was right
So they sent him to the war

Fare the well, gone away
There's nothing left to say
With a slainte Joe and Erin go
My love's in Ameri-kay
The calling of the rosary
Spanish wine from far away
I'm a free born man of the USA

This morning on the harbour
When I said goodbye to you
I remember how I swore
That I'd come back to you one day
And as the sunset came to meet the evening on the hill
I told you I'd always love you
I always did and I always will

Fare thee well gone away
There's nothing left to say
'But to say adieu to your eyes as blue as the water in the bay
And to big Jim Dwyer the man of war
Who was often heard to say
I'm a free born man of the USA
I'm a free born man of the USA
I'm a free born man of the USA
Full Lyrics and Meaning
Genius Lyrics
The Pogues – The Body of an American
Originally released in 1986 on the Poguetry in Motion EP, Body of an American was later added as a bonus track to the 2005 reissue of Rum. It was also used as the music for wakes
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Genius Q&A
Q:Who wrote “The Body of an American” by The Pogues?
“The Body of an American” by The Pogues was written by Shane MacGowan.
Q:Who produced “Planxty Noel Hill” by The Pogues?
“Planxty Noel Hill” by The Pogues was produced by Elvis Costello.
Q:When did The Pogues release “Planxty Noel Hill”?
The Pogues released “Planxty Noel Hill” on February 24, 1986.
Q:When did The Pogues release “A Rainy Night in Soho”?
The Pogues released “A Rainy Night in Soho” on February 24, 1986.
Q:Who wrote “London Girl” by The Pogues?
“London Girl” by The Pogues was written by Shane MacGowan.
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