Uuh uuh uh
I was born upon the island
Puakenikeni grow
My mother was eighteen years old
When she had me on her own
I didn't know who my father was
The young lovers fell apart
That's why my momma told me:
"Never let nobody break your heart"

We never had much at all
But one thing I do recall
Everywhere there was music
There was music in my ears
Never felt that I belong
But I found that every song
Could teach me, could reach me
See, I always sang from the start
Always sang from my heart
Just an American girl
Tryina sing something new
Tryina be something, too
But singing something true

And one day my mom found a new love
He raised me since I was young
A gentleman from Kentucky
So Louisville became my home
And I was brown-eyed girl
Living in the southern town
But my momma told me to never
Let nobody put my down

Soul music in my veins
Country music in my brain
I could feel it
I could taste it
I could hold it in my hand
Made friends, and show the way
Laurin Hill and Lady Day
And they taught me I can be, free (so free)
I always sang from the start
Always sang from my heart
Just an American girl
Tryina sing something new
Tryina be something, too
But singing something true

Singing something true
Singing something true
I'm tryina sing something new
Singing something true
Singing something true
I'm tryina be something, too
Singing something true
Singing something true
I'm tryina sing something new
Singing something true
Singing something true
I'm tryina be something

I always sang from the start
Always sang from my heart
Just an American girl
Tryina sing something new
Tryina be something, too
But singing something true