American Pie
Don McLean

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd happy for a while

But February made me shiver
With every paper I deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
And them good old boys were drinking whisky and rye
Singin' this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die

Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the bible tells you so
Do you believe in rock'n'roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow

Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Then I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage bronking buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
On the day the music died

I started singing,
Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
Them good old boys were drinking whisky and rye
Singin' this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die

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 lookin' down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The court room 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 singing,
Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
But the levy was dry
Them good old boys were drinking whisky and rye
Singin' this will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levy
(fade out)


From Star-Crossed