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American Pie

By: Don McLean 1971 [1] [2]
G D Em7 Am C Em D
A long long time ago I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
G D Em7 Am C
And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance
Em C D
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
 
Em Am Em Am
But February made me shiver, with every paper I'd deliver
C G Am C D
bad news on the doorstep, I couldn't take one more step
G D Em Am7 D
I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride
G D Em C D7 G
But something touched me deep inside The day the music died
 
G C G D G C G D
Bye bye Miss American Pie drove my Chevy to the levy but the levy was dry
G C G D
And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye
Em Am Em D7
Singing this'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die
 
G Am C Am
Did you write the book of love and do you have faith in God above?
Em D
If the Bible tells you so
G D Em Am7 C
Do you believe in Rock 'n Roll? Can music save your mortal soul?
Em A7 D
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
 
Em D Em D
Well, I know that you're in love with him cause I saw you dancing in the gym
C G D C G D7
You both kicked off your shoes, Man I dig those rhythm and blues
G D Em Am C
I was a lonely teenage broncing buck with a pink carnation and a pickup truck
G D Em C D7 G C G
But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died
D7
I started singing
 
 
G Am C Am
Now for ten years we've been on our own And moss grows fat on a rolling stone
Em D
But that's not how it used to be
D G D Em Am7 C
When the jester sang for the King and Queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean
Em A7 D D
And a voice that came from you and me
 
Em D Em D
Oh, and while the King was looking down the jester stole his thorny crown
C G D C D7
The courtroom was adjourned, no verdict was returned
G D Em Am C
And while Lennon read a book of Marx the court kept practice in the park
G D Em C D7 G C G
And we sang dirges in the dark the day the Music Died.
D7
We were singing
 
 
G Am C Am
Helter-Skelter in a summer swelter The Byrds flew off with a fallout shelter
Em D
Eight Miles High and falling fast
G D Em Am7 C
It landed foul out on the grass, the players tried for a forward pass
Em A7 D D
But the jester's on the sidelines in a cast
 
Em D Em D C
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume while the sergeants played a marching tune
G D C D7 G D Em
We all got up to dance but we never got the chance cause the players tried to take the field
Am C
The marching band refused to yield
G D Em C D7 G C G
Do you recall what was revealed the day the music died?
D7
We started singing
 
 
G Am C Am
Oh, and there we were all in one place A generation Lost in space
Em D
With no time left to start again
G Em Am7 C
So come on, Jack be nimble Jack be quick Jack Flash sat on a candlestick
Em A7 D
Cause fire is the Devil's only friend
 
Em D Em D C
Oh, and as I watched him on the stage my hands were clenched in fists of rage
G D C D7
No angel born in hell Could break that Satan's spell
G D Em Am C
And as the flames climbed high into the night to light the sacrifical rite
G D Em C D7 G C G
I saw Satan laughing with delight The day the music died
D7
He was singing
 
 
G D Em Am C
I met a girl who sang the blues And I asked her for some happy news but
Em D
she just smiled and turned away
G D Em7 Am C
I went down to the sacred store where I'd heard the music years before
Em A7 D
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
 
Em Am Em Am
And in the streets the children screamed The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed
C G Am C D7
but not a word was spoken The Church bells all were broken
G D Em Am7 C
And three men I admire most The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
G D Em C D7 G C
They caught the last train for the coast The Day the music died
D7
And they were singing
 

Created 2009 Nov 10 13:42

This is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research.

tahi Page last modified on 2011 Mar 01 21:14

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