The Body of an American – English Lyrics

• By: The Pogues

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the vibrant world of Irish-American culture through The Pogues' "The Body of an American." This song is a masterclass in storytelling, offering rich vocabulary related to celebrations, lament, and immigration. Its energetic Celtic punk style and narrative depth make it a compelling way to explore English in a dynamic, culturally resonant context, helping learners grasp nuances of emotion and colloquial expression.

[English]

The Cadillac stood by the house

And the yanks, they were within

And the tinker boys, they hissed advice

"Hot-wire her with a pin"

When we turned and shook as we had a look

In the room where the dead men lay

So big Jim Dwyer made his last trip

To the shores where his father's laid

But 15 minutes later we had our first taste of whiskey

There was uncles giving lectures on ancient Irish history

The men all started telling jokes and the women, they got frisky

By five o'clock in the evening every bastard there was piskey

Fare thee well, going away, there's nothing left to say

Farewell to New York City, boys, to Boston and PA

He took them out with a well-aimed clout, we often heard him say

"I'm a free born man of the USA"

He fought the champ in Pittsburgh and he slashed him to the ground

He took on Tiny Tartanella and it only went one round

He never had no time for reds, for drink or dice or whores

But he never threw a fight when the fight was right

So they sent him to the war

Fare the well, gone away, there's nothing left to say

With a slainte Joe and Erin go my love's in Amerikay

The calling of the rosary, Spanish wine from far away

I'm a free born man of the USA, yeah

...

This morning on the harbour, when I said goodbye to you

I remember how I swore that I'd come back to you one day

And as the sunset came to meet, the evening on the hill

I told you I'd always love you, I always did, I always will

Fare thee well, gone away, there's nothing left to say

But to say adieu to your eyes as blue as the water in the bay

To big Jim Dwyer, the man of wire who was often heard to say

"I'm a free born man of the USA"

I'm a free born man of the USA

I'm a free born man of the USA

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
house /haʊs/ A1	noun - a building for human habitation
boys /bɔɪz/ A1	noun - male child
room /ruːm/ A1	noun - a space within a building
dead /ded/ A2	adjective - no longer alive
men /men/ A1	noun - plural of man; adult male humans
trip /trɪp/ A2	noun - a journey or voyage
father /ˈfɑːðər/ A1	noun - a male parent
whiskey /ˈwɪski/ B1	noun - a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from fermented grain mash
jokes /dʒoʊks/ B1	noun - something said or done to cause laughter
fight /faɪt/ A2	verb - take part in a violent struggle involving physical force or weapons. noun - a violent confrontation or struggle.
war /wɔːr/ A2	noun - a state of armed conflict between different countries or groups within a country.
wine /waɪn/ A2	noun - an alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes.
morning /ˈmɔːrnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time between sunrise and noon.
harbour /ˈhɑːrbər/ B1	noun - a place on the coast where vessels may find shelter, especially one protected from rough water by piers, breakwaters, and other structures.
sunset /ˈsʌnset/ A2	noun - the time when the sun disappears below the western horizon.
evening /ˈiːvnɪŋ/ A1	noun - the period of time at the end of the day, usually from about 6 pm to bedtime.
hill /hɪl/ A1	noun - a naturally raised area of land, not as high or craggy as a mountain.
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organ of sight
wire /ˈwaɪər/ B1	noun - a thin, flexible thread of metal.