ENGINEER My father was a tattoo artist in Haiphong But his designs on mother didn't last too long My mother sold her body, high on Betel nuts My job was bringing red-faced monsieurs to our huts Selling your mom is a wrench Perfume can cover a stench That's what I learned from the French Then it all changed with Dien Bien Phu The frogs went home. Who came? Guess who? Are you surprised we went insane With dollars pouring down like rain? Businessmen never rob banks You can sell shit and get thanks That's what I learned from the Yanks I'm fed up with small-time hustles I'm too good to waste my talent for greed I need room to flex my muscles In an ocean where the big sharks feed Make me Yankee, they're my fam'ly They're selling what people need What's that I smell in the air The American dream Sweet as a new millionaire The American dream Pre-packed, ready-to-wear The American dream Fat, like a chocolate eclair As you suck out the cream Luck by the tail How can you fail? And best of all, it's for sale The American dream Greasy chinks make life so sleazy In the States I'll have a club that's four-starred Men like me there have things easy They have a lawyer and a body-guard To the Johns there I'll sell blondes there That they can charge on a card What's that I smell in the air? The American dream Sweet as a suite in Bel-air The American dream Girls can buy tits by the pair The American dream Bald people think they'll grow hair The American dream Call girls are lining time square The American dream Bums there have money to spare The American dream Cars that have bars take you there The American dream On stage each night: Fred Astaire The American dream Shlitz down the drain! Pop the Champagne! It's time we all entertain My American dream! ENGINEER and CROWD Busboys can buy the hotel The American dream Wall Street is ready to sell The American dream Come make a life from thin air The American dream Come and get more than your share The American dream ENGINEER There I will crown Miss Chinatown All yours for ten percent down The American dream