By the time I was thirteen I started takin' shape   At eighteen I was so beautiful that the strangers started to gape   They told me enter the ultimate contest   If you're as gorgeous as you seem   They said, "Please, please, please be our American dream"      But late that night beneath the grievin' moon   There's a dazzling sight in my motel room   For a grunting judge with his bulging eyes   I give my all for his cherished prize      Oh why, oh why?   I, I Miss America crying on TV   Silver clad in satin rags   But everything's where it should be   Oh say, can you see? Oh say, can you see?      After they showed me the game ball they told me put on weight   They told me I'd be so powerful, then they told me I would be great   They told me Uncle Sam he would coach you, his helmet on your head   And they said, "Please, please, please, please   Please win and beat the spread"      But the new game plan that the owners had made   Meant that win or lose there would be a little trade   For the team's become a real gold mine   And the kid's sold off for the bottom line      Oh why, oh why?   Mr. America sweating on TV   The winner's joy from the battered boy   For everything's where it should be   Oh say can, you see? Oh say, can you see?      At last we've come together, call it marriage or civil war   If it brings us to battle, babe, it must be worth our fighting for   Though today came up cloudy, there will be other days   Oh, please, please, please, please   What else is there to say?      But in plywood spread, by a plastic stream   And in separate beds with a borrowed dream   And with questions wide, the silence deep   We take two pills so at last we'll sleep      Oh why, oh why?   Mr. and Mrs. America, our story's on TV   Can you hear canned laughter?   For everything's where it should be   Oh say, can you see? Oh say, can you see?      My little boy he told me something just the other night.   He whispered it as I kissed him before I turned out the light   And of course he said it simple as only children can   He said, "Daddy, daddy, daddy, please   I'm ready to dream again"