Elvis Costello: American without tears 2

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