Benny Andersson, Tim Rice, and Bjorn Ulvaeus

THE AMERICAN:

When I was nine I learned survival

Taught myself not to care

I was my single good companion

Taking my comfort there

Up in my room I planned my

conquests

On my own -- never asked for a

helping hand

No one would understand

I never asked the pair who fought

below

Just in case they said no

Pity the child who has ambition

Knows what he wants to do

Knows that he'll never fit the system

Others expect him to

Pity the child who knew his parents

Saw their faults

Saw their love die before his eyes

Pity the child that wise

He never asked