MERICAN PIE submitted by: Don McLean Dave Waite INTRO: G D/F# Em7 Am C A long, long time ago, I can still remember how that Em D music used to make me smile. G D/F# Em7 Am C I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance and Em C D 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/B Am C D Bad news on the doorstep, I couldn't take one more step. G D/F# Em Am7 D I can't remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride, G D/F# Em C D7 G C G Something touched me deep inside, the day, the music, died. G C G D So bye - bye, Miss American Pie, G C G D Drove my chevy to the levee but the levee was dry, G C G D Them good ole' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye, singin' Em A7 Em D7 This'll be the day that I die, This'll be the day that I die. VERSE: 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/F# Em Now do you believe in rock and roll Am7 C Can music save your mortal soul and Em A7 D Can you teach me how to dance real slow? Em D Well, I know that you're in love with him, Em D Cause I saw you dancing in the gym, C G A7 You both kicked off your shoes, C D7 Man I dig those rhythm and blues. G D/F# Em I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck with a Am C Pink carnation and a pick up truck, G D/F# Em C D7 G C But I knew I was out of luck the day, the music, died. G D7 D7 I started singing, Bye - bye..........die VERSE:2 Now for ten years we've been on our own, And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone But that's not how it used to be. When the jester sang for the King and Queen In a coat he borrowed from James Dean And a voice that came from you and me. Oh and while the King was looking down, The jester stole his thorny crown. The courtroom was adjourned, No verdict was returned. And while Lenin read a book on Marx The quartet practiced in the park And we sang dirges in the dark The day, the music, died. We were singin' Bye - bye.....die. VERSE:3 Helter-skelter in the summer swelter, The birds flew off with a fallout shelter. Eight miles high and fallin' fast, It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass, With the jester on the sidelines in a cast. Now that halftime air was sweet perfume, While the sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to dance, but we Never got the chance Cause the players tried to take the field, The marching band refused to yield, Do you recall what was revealed, The day, the music, died. We started singin'...........die. VERSE:4 And there we were all in one place, A generation lost in space. So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack Flash sat on a candlestick. Cause fire is the devil's only friend. And as I watched him on the stage my Hands were clenched in fists of rage. No angel born in hell, Could break that Satan's spell And as the flames climbed high into the night To light the sacrificial rite I saw Satan laughing with delight The day, the music, died. He was singin'....................die. OUTRO: G D/F# Em I met a girl who sang the blues and I Am C Asked her for some happy news, Em D But she just smiled and turned away. G D/F# Em G I went down to the sacred store where I Am G/B C Heard the music years before, but the Em C D man there said the music wouldn't play. Em Am And in the streets the children screamed, Em Am The lovers cried and the poets dreamed. C G/B Am But not a word was spoken, C D The church bells all were broken. G D/F# Em G/B And the three men I admire most, C D7 The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost, G D/F# Em They caught the last train for the coast, C Am7 D7 G The day, the music, died. D7 And they were singin'............... C D7 G C G This'll be the day that I die________. END (finally!)