Play It Again Sam

Emily Saliers

well we read best selling novels

so we can talk between the lines

and we often close our eyes

just to hide the dollar signs

and we're suddenly pretentious

and conform with the stream

we're born and bred believers

in the american dream



and we drink our whiskey straight

though we do not like the taste

and we dress in obligations

with a top hat show of haste

and we hinder our reactions

as we measure what we say

until someone starts to cry

and the faces turn away again



play it again sam

take it slow and easy

sing about the land of the brave

and the home of the free

and there's a man who will tip you

better than you've gotten yet

if you play us a happy song

and help us forget

play it again sam



well we donate to our charities

to deduct our future taxes

and we flock to bars for drinking

though one never quite relaxes

and we compromise our standards

if it means we'll get attention

and the things we need the most to say

are the things we never mention



play it again sam

take it slow and easy

sing about the land of the brave

and the home of the free

and there's a man who will tip you

better than you've gotten yet

if you play us a happy song

and help us all forget

play it again sam



now i know god is up in heaven

it's hard to keep in mind

sometimes when you're searching for relief

and hell is all you find

and i know that i'm a romantic

i might seem a fool to say

i'm know i'm going to see a few hands joined

before my dying day



play it again sam

take it slow and easy

sing about the land of the brave

and the home of the free

and there's a man who will tip you

better than you've gotten yet

just play us a happy song

and help us all forget

play it again sam

play it again sam

play it again sam