Steve Key: Songs/Lyrics

Heinz 57 American

(Steve Key)

HEINZ 57 AMERICAN (by Steve Key ©2000)

You know what they say about the melting pot
It's poor at the bottom and rich on top
I was born somewhere in the middle, my lineage is mostly a riddle

I'm a white man, brown and blue, Irish-Catholic and Russian Jew
Born to be a variety -- Heinz 57 American, Heinz 57 American

I met a man at an Indian casino, his skin was dark as cappuccino
His smiling eyes reminded me of Buddha
I said "Where ya from?", he said "What's it to ya?"

He's an Asian-African, born in the ruins of Vietnam
Refugee in the land of the free: Heinz 57 American, Heinz 57 American

There's a wide array in the U.S.A.-- Love is a trouble maker
Color lines fade into shades of grey and God help the census taker

There's ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise next to the salsa and hot chili paste
Pickles and peppers and people I know are all mixed up on Condiment Row

I'm a white man, brown and blue, Irish-Catholic and Russian Jew
Born to be a variety -- Heinz 57 American, Heinz 57 American

Kind of a white man, part Italian, my Dad's family is from Newfoundland
Born in Brooklyn, moved out west, but don't ask me which one I like best
Life should be a variety-- Heinz 57 American, Heinz 57 American