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American Without Tears

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#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#
#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##
American Without Tears
GOutside in New Orleans the Cheat was almost Gfrightening
But my Ghotel room as usual was Afreezing and unDkind
On GTV they prosecute anyCone who's exGciting
So I Gput on my overcoat and Dwent down to Gfind
In GRevlon and Crimpelene they Ccaptured my Gheart
To the Gstrain of a piano and a Acocktail murdDeress
She was Gsinging that "It's Too Late", I Cagreed with that Gpart
For Gtwo English girls who had Dchanged their adGdress
[chorus:]
Now it Cseems we've been crying for Gyears and for years
Now I Emdon't speak any English, just CAmerican without Gtears
Just CAmerican without Gtears
One had been a beauty queen and the other was her friend
They had known rogues and rascals and showbiz impresarios
While the boys were licking Hitler they had something to defend
>From men armed with chewing gum and fine nylon hose
By a bicycle factory as they sounded the siren
And returned into the dancehall she knew he was the one
Though he wasn't tall or handsome she laughed when he told her
"I'm the Sheriff of Nottingham and this is Little John"
[chorus]
At a Adock in Southampton full of Dtearful Agoodbyes
NewsAreel commentators said "CheeriBo, G.I. Ebrides"
ASoon they'll be finding the Dcold facts and Alies
New Awords for suspenders and young Egirls backAsides
Now AI'm in America and Drunning from Ayou
Like my Agrandfather before me walked the Bstreets of New EYork
And I Athink of all the women I preDtend mean more than Ayou
When I Aopen my mouth and I Ecan't seem to Atalk
Now it Dseems we've been crying for Ayears and for years
       F#m[barre it]                                D  A  
Now I don't speak any English just American without tears
Just ADmerican without Atears

All chords in this song (8)

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American Without Tears

by Elvis Costello

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

F#m

#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE---------------------------------#

#------------------------------------------------------------------------------##

American Without Tears

G C G

Outside in New Orleans the heat was almost frightening

G A D

But my hotel room as usual was freezing and unkind

G C G

On TV they prosecute anyone who's exciting

G D G

So I put on my overcoat and went down to find

G C G

In Revlon and Crimpelene they captured my heart

G A D

To the strain of a piano and a cocktail murderess

G C G

She was singing that "It's Too Late", I agreed with that part

G D G

For two English girls who had changed their address

[chorus:]

C G

Now it seems we've been crying for years and for years

Em C G

Now I don't speak any English, just American without tears

C G

Just American without tears

One had been a beauty queen and the other was her friend

They had known rogues and rascals and showbiz impresarios

While the boys were licking Hitler they had something to defend

>From men armed with chewing gum and fine nylon hose

By a bicycle factory as they sounded the siren

And returned into the dancehall she knew he was the one

Though he wasn't tall or handsome she laughed when he told her

"I'm the Sheriff of Nottingham and this is Little John"

[chorus]

A D A

At a dock in Southampton full of tearful goodbyes

A B E

Newsreel commentators said "Cheerio, G.I. brides"

A D A

Soon they'll be finding the cold facts and lies

A E A

New words for suspenders and young girls backsides

A D A

Now I'm in America and running from you

A B E

Like my grandfather before me walked the streets of New York

A D A

And I think of all the women I pretend mean more than you

A E A

When I open my mouth and I can't seem to talk

D A

Now it seems we've been crying for years and for years

F#m D A

[barre it]

Now I don't speak any English just American without tears

D A

Just American without tears

About American Without Tears Chords by Elvis Costello

Learn how to play American Without Tears by Elvis Costello with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “American Without Tears chords”, “American Without Tears guitar chords”, or “Elvis Costello American Without Tears 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 Without Tears chords and for experienced players who want accurate American Without Tears lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, A, D, Em, B.

FAQ — American Without Tears by Elvis Costello

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Is "American Without Tears" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "American Without Tears" in?

The chords for "American Without Tears" show the original chord names (including G, C, A, D, Em, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.