He Lies in the American Land Songtext

von Pete Seeger

Ah, my God what is this land of America?
So many people travelling there
I will go too for I am still young
God the Lord will grant me good luck there

You, my wife stay here 'til you hear from me
When you get my letter, put everything in order
Mount a raven black steed, a horse like the wind
Fly across the ocean to join me here

Ah, but when she arrived in this strange land
Here in McKeesport, this valley, this valley of fire
Only his grave, his blood did she find
Over it, bitterly she cried

Ah, my husband, what've you done to this family of yours?
What can you say to these children, to these children you've orphaned?
Tell them my wife not to wait, not to wait, not to wait for me
Tell them I lie here, in the American land