[Verse 1: Anaïs Mitchell]
Minnesota, when I was your daughter
I looked up to you
I thought that you knew all there was to know
I thought that you'd been where you had to go

[Verse 2: Anaïs Mitchell]
Minnesota, now that I'm your mother
I see you as you are
You're not some shining star
Not a destination
You're a growing child
That I hope to raise right

[Refrain: Anaïs Mitchell & Mick Flannery]
My hopes for you are my hopes for me
My dreams for you are my dreams for me

[Verse 3: Anaïs Mitchell]
America, when I was your daughter
You meant the world to me
You held my every dream
You promised me protection
You promised me my freedom

[Verse 4:Anaïs Mitchell]
America, now that I'm your mother
Now that you're the younger
I'm trying to hold your hand
I hope you'll understand
That if you don't move towards them
Dreams get broken
[Refrain: Anaïs Mitchell & Mick Flannery]
My hopes for you are my hopes for me
My dreams for you are my dreams for me

[Chorus: Anaïs Mitchell, Mick Flannery & Both ]
And I love you like a troubled child
I love you like a river wild
I love you like a mother dead
I love you like a dawning
I love you like a troubled child
I love you like a river wild
I love you like a mother dead
I love you like a dawning

[Bridge: Anaïs Mitchell]
America, America

[Interlude: Anaïs Mitchell & Mick Flannery]
My hopes for you are my hopes for me
My dreams for you are my dreams for me

[Chorus: Anaïs Mitchell, Mick Flannery & Both ]
And I love you like a troubled child
I love you like a river wild
I love you like a mother dead
I love you like a dawning
I love you like a troubled child
I love you like a river wild
I love you like a mother dead
I love you like a dawning