I've felt the heat In the city of angels Dust up on high And the worse for wear I've seen the lights Going down on sunset Madmen running loose There's murder in the air So this is america Love colder than death Working the streets Love doesn't come cheap So I learn how to steal Religion for sale Buy my way into heaven Sell my soul for a trick It's not worth a great deal So this is america I remember her smile and her virgin heart I remember her tears tearing me apart I remember my hands helpless and tied As they led her away I remember I cried I've put my life In the hands of a scream Small talked and less With legends to be But I carried a torch For the child forbidden And when the heat closed in They crucified me So this is america Dreams don't come easy Without any sleep Laid wide eyed and weary On this damned bed of nails I hit the freeway And step on the speed Head for the desert When madness prevails So this is america God bless you america God bless you america God bless you america God bless you America