I am going to America
As a prisoner, as a number
Yesterday I was a leader
on the Arabian sea
Back in Somalia
At 17 we're men
We are not teens
I was going to help my family
Get my momma a little luxury

You hear about the men with the guns and boats
When they're tracking down the ships east of the coast
'Til they bring 'em in and make American money
When you've got nothing they make promises
That they want you to believe
So I'm going to America but it's not the way I dreamed

We were a team
Now it's only me
On the wrong side
Of the powers that be
The reality is frightening me
FBI agents and Navy Seals
I try to tell myself that it isn't real
With a stab wound and a bandaged hand
I'm chained in a plane under [bad word] And there are overalls all over me.

You hear about the men with the guns and boats
When they're tracking down the ships east of the coast
'Til they bring 'em in and make American money
When you've got nothing they make promises
That they want you to believe
So I'm going to America but it's not the way I dreamed