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 be happy for a while.
But February
made me shiver With every paper I'd 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, But something touched me deep inside The day the music died.
So
bye-bye, miss american pie. Drove my Chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinking
whiskey and rye Singing, "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll 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 dancing in the gym. You both kicked off your shoes. Man, I dig those rhythm and blues.
I was a lonely
teenage broncin' buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck, But I knew I was out of luck The day the music died.
I
started singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old
boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye And singing, "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."
Now
for ten years we've been on our own And moss grows fat on a rolling 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 Lennon read a book of 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 levee, But the levee
was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye And singing, "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be
the day that I die."
Helter skelter in a summer swelter. The birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Eight miles
high and falling fast. It landed foul on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass, With the jester on the
sidelines in a cast.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume While the sergeants played a marching tune. We all
got up to dance, Oh, 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 singing, "bye-bye, miss american
pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye And
singing, "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."
Oh, and there we were all in one place, A
generation lost in space With no time left to start again. So come on: Jack be nimble, Jack be quick! Jack Flash
sat on a candlestick Cause fire is the devil's only friend.
Oh, 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 singing, "bye-bye,
miss american pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee, But the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey
and rye And singing, "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll be the day that I die."
I met a girl who sang the
blues And I asked her for some happy news, But she just smiled and turned away. I went down to the sacred store Where
I'd heard the music years before, But the man there said the music wouldn't play.
And in the streets: the children
screamed, The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed. But not a word was spoken; The church bells all were broken. And
the three men I admire most: The father, son, and the holy ghost, They caught the last train for the coast The day
the music died.
And they were singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee, But the
levee was dry. And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye Singing, "this'll be the day that I die. "this'll
be the day that I die."
They were singing, "bye-bye, miss american pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee, But
the levee was dry. Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye Singing, "this'll be the day that I die."
People say Im crazy
doing what Im doing. Well they give me all kinds of warnings
to save me from ruin. When I say that Im o.k.
well they look at me kind of strange. "Surely youre not happy now
you no longer play the game."
People say Im lazy...
"dreaming my life away!" Well they give me all kinds of advice
designed to enlighten me. When I tell them that Im doing fine
watching shadows on the wall. "Dont you miss the big time boy?
You're no longer on the ball."
Im just sitting here
watching the wheels go round and round. I really love to watch them roll. No longer riding on the
merry-go-round, I just had to let it go!
Ah, people asking questions
lost in confusion. Well I tell them theres no problem,
only solutions. Well they shake their heads
and they look at me
as if Ive lost my mind. I tell them theres no hurry Im just sitting here doing time.
Im just
sitting here
watching the wheels go round and round. I really love to watch them roll. No longer riding on the
merry-go-round. I just had to let it go. I just had to let it go. I just had to let it go.