Born in the U.S.A. Lyrics - Bruce Springsteen

The song starts by describing the protagonist's origin in a tough and economically depressed town. The line "Born down in a dead man's town" suggests a sense of hopelessness and struggle. The metaphor of being beaten like a dog indicates the hardships faced by the protagonist, leading to a life of constantly hiding their pain and struggles.

[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the phrase "Born in the U.S.A." four times, emphasizing the protagonist's birthplace. It serves as both a statement of identity and a reflection on the complexities and challenges of being born in America.

[Verse No. 2]
In the second verse, the protagonist recounts being caught up in a local conflict or "hometown jam." They are drafted into the military and sent to a foreign land, where they are tasked with fighting and potentially killing people from another culture, referred to as the "yellow man." This verse highlights the experiences and consequences of war, particularly the Vietnam War.

[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated again, underscoring the protagonist's birthplace and their connection to the U.S.A.

[Verse No. 3]
The third verse shifts focus to the aftermath of the war. The protagonist returns home and seeks employment at a refinery, but the hiring manager tells them there are no opportunities available. They then visit their Veterans Affairs (V.A.) representative, who tries to explain the challenges faced by veterans.

[Verse No. 4]
In this verse, the protagonist reveals that they had a brother who fought in the war at a place called Khe Sanh, battling against the Viet Cong. However, their brother didn't survive, leaving behind a woman he loved in Saigon. The protagonist now keeps a picture of their brother in her arms as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the war.

[Verse 5]
The fifth verse describes the bleak surroundings of the penitentiary and the gas fires of the refinery. The protagonist feels trapped and burned out, having spent ten years travelling aimlessly without a sense of purpose or direction.

[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated again, emphasizing the protagonist's birthplace and their connection to the U.S.A. It concludes by referring to the protagonist as a "cool rockin' Daddy in the U.S.A.," possibly suggesting resilience and the ability to find solace or escape through music.

Complete lyrics of the song
{Verse No. 1}
Born down in a dead man's town
The first kick I took was when I hit the ground
You end up like a dog that's been beat too much
'Til you spend half your life just coverin' up

{Chorus}
Born in the U.S.A. 
I was born in the U.S.A. 
I was born in the U.S.A. 
Born in the U.S.A. 
{Verse No. 2}
Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man

{Chorus}
Born in the U.S.A. 
I was born in the U.S.A. 
I was born in the U.S.A. 
I was born in the U.S.A. 

{Verse No. 3}
Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man says, "Son if it was up to me"
Went down to see my V.A. man
He said, "Son, don't you understand"

{Verse No. 4}
I had a brother at Khe Sanh
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone
He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

[Verse 5]
Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run ain't got nowhere to go

{Chorus}
Born in the U.S.A. 
I was born in the U.S.A. now
Born in the U.S.A. 
I'm a long gone Daddy in the U.S.A. now
Born in the U.S.A. 
Born in the U.S.A. 
Born in the U.S.A. 
I'm a cool rockin' Daddy in the U.S.A. now