Fatima

Fatima rises at dawn
 The hunger like a flame inside her
 It's the feast of Ramadan
 And her father's been praying for hours
 He wears his disapproval
 In a silence, cold but hysterical
 Saw her last night with that Christian boy
 And his world falls apart in America
 Her mother fusses about
 Her brother laughs in the kitchen
 Then the phone explodes on the wall
 Oh, my God, don't let it be Michael
 Her father's glare is like violence
 Who else would break the tradition
 Except someone who laughs at our holy ways
 Tears us apart in America
 Fatima, you're breaking his heart
 He doesn't understand your dilemma
 A girl becomes a woman alone
 Those who love her
 Can no longer help her
 Why didn't they tell him back home
 Things fall apart in America
 Fatima picks up the phone
 Michael is his usual hilarious
 She listens in silence and wonders
 Why American boys are oblivious
 I love you but this is good-bye
 There are too many rivers between us
 Father, forgive me, you're right
 Things fall apart in America
 Fatima, you're breaking his heart
 He doesn't understand your dilemma
 A girl becomes a woman alone
 Those who love her
 Can no longer help her
 And Michael stares at the phone
 As things fall apart in America