☝️ Key Points
- The song is about feelings of confusion, disappointment, and loneliness.
- The singer feels misunderstood and used, but is still okay.
- The lyrics reflect on setbacks in life and dreams that are broken.
- A dream is told in which the singer dies and his soul ascends.
- The song ends with the statement that everything is okay, even if one cannot be blessed forever.
Interpretation
"American Tune" is a song by
Simon and Garfunkel that deals with feelings of confusion, disappointment, and loneliness. The song begins with the statement that the singer has often been misunderstood and used, but he is still okay. However, he is bone tired and feels far away from home.
The lyrics continue to say that nobody gets through life unscathed. Everyone has experienced setbacks and seen dreams shattered. But still, it's okay because he has lived well for a long time. But when the singer reflects on the path we've taken, he wonders what went wrong. He can't help it, he wonders what went wrong.
The lyrics also tell of a dream in which the singer dies and his soul unexpectedly rises. He sees himself from above and the Statue of Liberty. He also dreams of flying and seeing the Statue of Liberty from above.
The lyrics end by saying that they came on the ship called the Mayflower and live in uncertain times. They sing an American tune. But everything is okay, even though one cannot be blessed forever. Tomorrow will be another workday and the singer tries to find some peace."