December 1965 in Caracas
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When Arnie LaFlamme(?) took his piece of the pie
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When he packed up the casino chips, the IOU and the abacus
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And switched off the jukebox in a "A Fool Such as I"
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He was a leg man who was open to offers
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But he couldn't get her off his mind as he passed the tourist office
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and as he entertained himself singing just like Sammy Davis Junior
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He toyed with a trip to Miami
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For money like that
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he could have sweet talk in her ear
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Now they don't speak any English
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Just American without tears
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It was an idea that he dandled on his knee
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and nursed it like his coffee cup
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when he couldn't find any other way
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It always seemed to come to him
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while the day was dipping down
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and sun was like a light bulb
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being swallowed by a clown
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He took her for everything
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He took her for his only one
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He took her out of Coventry and over to Idaho
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But the war wound that he carried home
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wasn't really visible
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When the bullets were forgotton
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she lived dowdy, down, and miserable
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And she seemed to be crying for year after year
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and says, "You don't speak any English
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Just American between tears."
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"Arnie" she said to me, "Will you turn down the radio.
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You haven't slept a wink since we came to Havana
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When're you gonna get the strength to go over to Florida?
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All you ever listen to is 'The Voice of America'."
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It was the story of a young English poppet
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Who took up with a soldier boy
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And thought she would profit
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Just like me she found out what true love is about
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Anyway she's in New Orleans It would never work out
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Oh she seemed to be crying for year after year
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Now you don't speak any English
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Just American between tears
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Just American without tears
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For you seem to be crying for year after year
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Now you don't speak any English
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Just American without tears
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Just American without tears
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-----------------
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American Without Tears #2 (Twilight Version)
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| Elvis Costello |
