I got two little kids in a broke down car
On the side of the road, in view of the Texaco star
I spent all of my money on water and food
I got a Willie on the radio, he's singing those country blues

Well, I had a good job back in new Orleans
Once I was a citizen, now I'm a refugee
Can't go back, no, no, I can't move ahead
Tried to make a call but I can't
'Cause my god damned cellphone's dead

I'm just five minutes from America
I see it very clear
I'm just five minutes from America
But you can't get there from here

I gotta keep up with the Jones's, wherever they are
Had some real nice neighbors, had me a big back yard
Now I'm watching the world p*** me by
Like I'm an immigrant on the move
Saw the roof of my house on the TV, sitting in my motel room

And I'm just five minutes from America
I see it very clear
I'm just five minutes from America
But you can't get there from here

Back down the road, a policeman smiled
Then he offered his hand
He said, welcome stranger
But you really can't stay here, man

On up ahead there's some opportunities
You can find 'em everywhere
Maybe go to Houston
There's a lot of you there

And I'm just five minutes from America
I see it very clear
I'm just five minutes from America
But you can't get there from here

Willie sang, blue eyes, crying in the rain
Down in Luchenbach Texas, ooh, they ain't feeling no pain
But in the back of my head, the waves still pound
When the levee broke, the music stopped
And the world was watching as hell came down

And I'm just five minutes from America
I see it very clear
I'm just five minutes from America
But you can't get there from here

And I wish I was back home, wish I was back home
And I wish I was back home, wish I was back home