The nighthawk flies and the owl cries
As we're driving down the road
Listening to the music
On an all night radio show
The announcer comes on
Says, "If you've got ideas I'll file the patent for you"
What's an idea that's not in the store
Making a buck or two

We drive to the town but the shutters are down
And the all night restaurant's closed
It's the land of the free, they've got booze and TV
There's tramps in the telephone booths
But the stars and the trees and the early spring breeze
Say, "Forget what assassins have done
Take our good soil in the palm of your hand
And wait for tomorrow's sun"

It's a long way from the Heartland to Santiago Bay
Where the good doctor lies with blood in his eyes
And the bullets read US of A

The truck driver's wife she has rough life
Driving down the road
Carrying the goods all the copper and wood
That's what makes America great
But the dollars like swallows, they fly to the south
Where they know they've something to gain
Allende is killed
And the trucks are soon rolling again

It's a long way from the Heartland to Santiago Bay
Where the good doctor lies with blood in his eyes
And the bullets read US of A

The nighthawk flies and the owl cries
As we're driving down the road
The full moon reveals all the houses and fields
Where good people do what they're told
Victor Jara he lies with coins in his eyes
There's no one around him to mourn
Who needs a poet who won't take commands
Who'd rather make love than war

It's a long way from the Heartland to Santiago Bay
Where the good doctor lies with blood in his eyes
And the bullets read US of A