Piano intro
|Gm---|Eb---|Gm---|Eb---|
|Gm---|Eb---|Bb---|Cm---|
Verse 1
GmI was born one ABbmerican spring
FNeck in a noose, arm in a sling
GmRolled from my cradle, Bbcold and numb
FCrawled to the road, stuck out my thumb
Verse 2
GmSix days and nights without a Ebride
FThe seventh one, someone Dmpulled aEbside
GmPicked me up where EbI lay dead
Fknocked some sense into my head
Verse 3
GmI was born one BbAmerican spring
FBright dawn of reckoning
GmClouds had faces, Bbfeet had wings
FI grew up learning American things
Verse 4
GmStar-spangled church of the Ebgrand old flag
FNot some blood-soaked Dmmop-up Ebrag
GmCops were good, Ebcrooks were bad
BbRights were something Feveryone Gmhad
Bridge 1
AmAmerican spring, of Fthee I sing
Of Amall the hopeless Gsushopes you bring
AmStars and bones Ftwined in your hair
GElectric music in Ayour stare
||:Gm---|Eb---:||x2
Verse 5
GmGambled with the bone man Bbone dark night
FForty nine cards, we were three jacks light
GmCouldn't tell an ace from a Bbdeuce by feel
FBone man said, shut up and deal
Verse 6
GmI built your house and I Bblaid your floor
FI carried your flag and I Dmfought your Ebwar
GmA silver pistol Ebon your thigh
BbCold blue thunder Fin your Gmeyes
Bridge 2Half Time
AmAmerican spring, of Fthee I sing
Of Amall the hopeless Gsushopes you Gbring
AmStars and bones twined Fin your hair
GElectric music in your D/Astare
|Gm---|Eb---|Bb---|F-G-|
Bridge 3
AmAmerican spring, of Emthee I sing
Of Fall the hopeless Gsushopes you Gbring
Of Amall the hanging Emropes you swing
Of Fall the bells you Gsusnever Gring Gsus G
Never ring D/A
Sax Solo
||:Gm---|Eb---|Gm---|Eb---|
|Gm---|Eb---|F---|----:||
Verse 7
GmSwore allegiance Bbnearly every day
FHand on heart, under God we pray
GmIt was like religion under Bbholy skies
FThe visions of the stars and stripes
Verse 8
GmNone of that makes Ebsense no more
FThick black waves lapDm on the shoreEb
GmInner city Ebgunshots ring
BbThere's nothing left to Fdo but Gmsing
Bridge 4
AmAmerican spring, of Fthee I sing
Of Amall the hopeless Gsushopes you Gbring
AmOf all the hanging Emropes you Fswing
Of all the bells you Gsusnever Gring Gsus G
Oh you never ring Asus A
Solo out
||:Gm---|Eb---|Gm---|Eb---|
|Gm---|Eb---|F---|----:||
End