I was ten,
I was thin,
I was playing first base

with a secondhand glove and dirt on my face
In nowhere, Virginia
Who'd ever figure that kid in the yard would go very far

It was 419 Lakewood , had no silverspoons
Just an old beat up upright that played out of tune
Now I'm singin' and living the life that I love

And when I count my blessings I thank God I was
An American child


An American child
'Cause dreams can grow wild
Born inside an American child


Seven pounds, three ounces, she's got my nose
And she's into my heart as deep as it goes

With a promise that's more than just someone's last name
Anyone's equal, in late August came
An American child


An American child
'Cause dreams can grow wild

Born inside an American child

My grandfather would have been eighty today

But in '45 he fell down beside an American child

An American child

Oh, an American child
'Cause dreams can grow wild born inside an American child
An American child