I was sittin' in the car in the parkin' lot of a local store, today.
    Waitin' for my wife, - shoppin' inside, - wantin' to get on my way.
I had the radio runnin', just sittin' out there when a car stopped across from me.
    And I could see, as they opened the doors: - An American Family.

They don't earn the average income.
    They don't live in the average home.
They don't drive the average compact car,
    But the one they drive's their own.
And according to government figures,
    They're flirtin' with poverty.
But in the parkin' lot at the local store,
    It' the common thing to see - - An American Family.

That old car must have burned a little bit of oil, and the tail-pipe had fallen away.
    The back-up lights and the license plate were coated with a charcoal-gray.
And the mirror on the side pointed down at the ground. It was broken, I could see.
    As they all climbed out, they proved to be - An American Family.

They don't earn the average income.
    They don't live in the average home.
They don't drive the average compact car,
    But the one they drive's their own.
And according to government figures,
    They're flirtin' with poverty.
But in the parkin' lot at the local store,
    It' the common thing to see - - An American Family.

I'll bet you tonight when they all got home, they had a little bite to eat.
    Then Mama cleaned up and Daddy did a little, but tried to stay off his feet.
The kids might have had a little home-work and probably watched T.V.
    They turned out the lights at a little after ten: - An American Family.

They don't earn the average income.
    They don't live in the average home.
They don't drive the average compact car,
    But the one they drive's their own.
And according to government figures,
    They're flirtin' with poverty.
But in the parkin' lot at the local store,
    It' the common thing to see - - An American Family.

There surely was a time when Daddy was a boy that he dreamed of better things.
    And Mama never guessed it would be like this when she took that wedding ring.
But with times like they are, and the kids to raise, this is how it's gotta be.
    So they're thankful for, and proud that they're - An American Family.

They don't earn the average income.
    They don't live in the average home.
They don't drive the average compact car,
    But the one they drive's their own.
And according to government figures,
    They're flirtin' with poverty.
But in the parkin' lot at the local store,
    It' the common thing to see - - An American Family.