I saw Willie Mays
At a Scotsdale Home Depot
Looking at Garage Door Springs
At the far end of the 14th floorHis wife stood there beside him
She was quiet and they both were proud
I gave them room but was close enough
That I heard him when he said out loudThis was my country
This was my song
Somewhere in the middle there
Though it started badly and it's ending wrongThis was my country
This frightful and this angry land
But it's my right if the worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better man
The sun is unforgiving and
There's nobody who would choose this town
But we've squandered so much of our good will
That there's nowhere else will have us nowWe push in line at the picture show
For cool air and a chance to see
A vision of ourselves portrayed as
Younger and braver and humble and free.This was our country
This was our song
Somewhere in the middle there
Though it started badly and it's ending wrongThis was our country
This frightful and this angry land
But it's my right if the worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better man
I've started something I can't finish
And I barely leave the house it's true
I keep her out on my sores and joints
But I've guess I've had my blessings tooI've got my mother's pretty feet
And a factory keeps my house in shade
My children they've both been paroled
And we get back all the peace we've madeI feel safe so far from heaven
From towers and their ocean views
From here I see the future coming across
What soon will be beaches tooBut that was him
I'm almost sure
The greatest centerfielder of all time
Stooped by the burden of endless dreams
His and yours and mineHe hooked each spring beneath his feet
He leaned over then he stood upright
Testing each against his weight
For one that had some play and some fightHe's just like us I want to tell him
And our needs are small enough
Something to slow our heavy door
Something to raise one upThis was my country
This was my song
Somewhere in the middle there
Though it started badly and it's ending wrongThis was God's country
This frightful and this angry land
But if it's his will
The worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better manIf it's his will
The worst of it might still
Somehow make me a better man
