He was born on the fourth day of July
So his parents called him Independence Day
He married a girl named Justice who gave birth
To a son called Nation
Then she walked away
Independence he would daydream and he'd pretend
That someday him and Justice and Nation would get together again
But Justice held up in a shotgun shack
And she wouldn't let nobody in
So a Nation cried

Oh oh
When a Nation cries
His tears fall down like missiles from the skies
Justice look into Independence's eyes
Can you make everything alright
Can you keep your Nation warm tonight

Well Nation grew up and got himself a reputation
Couldn't keep the boy at home no no
He just kept running 'round and 'round and 'round and 'round
Independence and Justice well they felt so ashamed
When the Nation fell down they argued who was to blame
Nation if you'll just come home we'll have this family again
Oh Nation don't cry

Oh oh
When a Nation cries
His tears fall down like missiles from the skies
Justice look into Independence's eyes
Can you make everything alright
Can you keep your Nation warm tonight

Roll a rock across the country
Everybody come along
When you're feelin' down yeah yeah
Just sing this song yeah yeah

Copyright: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Writer(s): JOHN MELLENCAMP