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American Hero

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

intro.  Am   Gx2
v1.                 Am(  B  C) G  
    Set me up straight in my chair, comb my hair.
                        Am(  B  C)  G  
    'Cause tonight, I meet an ol' friend.
                    Am(    B  C)G  
    & I wonder if she will be thinkin' of me
   (  F#  E)D  
    now & then
v2.                                 Am  G  
    She's a candle that burns for the sailor's return.
    She's a Amfortress that's safe from the Gstorm.
    She's Ambrave & she's free. & she's Gwaitin'
    to keep me Dwarm.
ch.                      C(    B  A)             G  
( F#  E)
    So save all your small talk for some other lady,
                          F( E  D)       Em  Em7  
    Just give her your love & your pride.
                    C(   B  A)                   G  
( F#  E)   D  
    & lay down beside her & give her what's left of your hide.
v3.                        Am  G  
    Set me up straight in my chair, comb my hair.
    For Amtonight, I meet an ol' Gfriend.
    She was Amwith me across the sea Gsouth of the bay of JaDpan.
ch.                                 C  G  
    (hum first line)
    Just Fgive her your love & your Empride.Em7  
    & Clay down beside her & Ggive her what's left of your Dhide.
v4. (repeat v1)
N.B. notes in () = keep chord, move root notes along the notated runs.
Theme from American Hero also on title track on an '80s vigilante movie called "The 
Exterminator". the song can be found on youtube. is well worth a listen. great wee song.

All chords in this song (11)

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American Hero

by Chip Taylor

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Em7

Am G

intro. x2

Am B C G

v1. ( )

Set me up straight in my chair, comb my hair.

Am B C G

( )

'Cause tonight, I meet an ol' friend.

Am B C G

( )

& I wonder if she will be thinkin' of me

F# E D

( )

now & then

Am G

v2.

She's a candle that burns for the sailor's return.

Am G

She's a fortress that's safe from the storm.

Am G

She's brave & she's free. & she's waitin'

to keep me warm.

C B A G

ch. ( )

F# E

( )

So save all your small talk for some other lady,

F E D Em Em7

( )

Just give her your love & your pride.

C B A G

( )

F# E D

( )

& lay down beside her & give her what's left of your hide.

Am G

v3.

Set me up straight in my chair, comb my hair.

Am G

For tonight, I meet an ol' friend.

Am G D

She was with me across the sea south of the bay of Japan.

C G

ch.

(hum first line)

F Em Em7

Just give her your love & your pride.

C G D

& lay down beside her & give her what's left of your hide.

v4. (repeat v1)

N.B. notes in () = keep chord, move root notes along the notated runs.

Theme from American Hero also on title track on an '80s vigilante movie called "The

Exterminator". the song can be found on youtube. is well worth a listen. great wee song.

About American Hero Chords by Chip Taylor

Learn how to play American Hero by Chip Taylor with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “American Hero chords”, “American Hero guitar chords”, or “Chip Taylor American Hero chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy American Hero chords and for experienced players who want accurate American Hero lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Am, G, B, C, F#, E.

FAQ — American Hero by Chip Taylor

How do I play "American Hero" by Chip Taylor on guitar?

Open the free chords for "American Hero" by Chip Taylor on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "American Hero" by Chip Taylor free?

Yes. The chords for "American Hero" by Chip Taylor are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "American Hero" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "American Hero" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "American Hero"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "American Hero" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "American Hero" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "American Hero" by Chip Taylor with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Chip Taylor below.

What key is "American Hero" in?

The chords for "American Hero" show the original chord names (including Am, G, B, C, F#, E). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.