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American Child

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Dmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
  D/F#    Em    G    Ax2
[Verse 1]
I was Gten, I was D/F#thin, I was plEmaying first Dbase
with a Gsecondhand D/F#glove and Emdirt on my Aface
In Gnowhere, VD/F#irginia
EmWho'd ever D/F#figure that Ckid in the Gyard would Asus4go very fAar
It was G419 D/F#Lakewood, had Emno silverDspoons
Just an Gold beat up D/F#upright that Emplayed out of Atune
Now I'm Gsingin' and D/F#living the Emlife that DI love
And when CI count my Gblessings I Asus4thank God I wAas
[Chorus]
An ADmerican EmchiGldA  
An ADmerican EmchiGldA  
'Cause Bmdreams can grow wAild
Born inGside an AAmerican chDilEmdG  A  
D  Em  G  A
[Verse 2]
SeGven pounds, D/F#three ounces, sEmhe's got my nDose
And she's iGnto my D/F#heart as dEmeep as it gAoes
With a proGmise that's D/F#more than just soEmmeone's last Dname
AnCyone's eGqual, in Asus4late August cAame
[Chorus]
An ADmerican EmchiGldA  
An ADmerican EmchiGldA  
'Cause Bmdreams can grow wAild
Born inGside an AAmericaDn child
[Instrumental]
Bm F#m Em A
Bm F#m Em A
Bm F#m Em A
D/F# G A
[Bridge]
My Bmgrandfather Fwould have been Ceighty Ftoday
But Bmin '45 he Afell down beside
[Chorus]
An ADmerican EmchiGldA  
An ADmerican EmchiGldA  
Oh, an ADmerican EmchiGldA  
'Cause Bmdreams can grow wAild
Born inGside an AAmerican chDilEmdG  A  
Oh, an AmDerican cEmhilGdA  
DWoEmahG  A  
(Until fade)
D Em G A

All chords in this song (10)

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American Child

by Phil Vassar

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

Asus4

F#m

[Intro]

D/F# Em G A

[Verse 1]

G D/F# Em D

I was ten, I was thin, I was playing first base

G D/F# Em A

with a secondhand glove and dirt on my face

G D/F#

In nowhere, Virginia

Em D/F# C G Asus4 A

Who'd ever figure that kid in the yard would go very far

G D/F# Em D

It was 419 Lakewood, had no silverspoons

G D/F# Em A

Just an old beat up upright that played out of tune

G D/F# Em D

Now I'm singin' and living the life that I love

C G Asus4 A

And when I count my blessings I thank God I was

[Chorus]

D Em G A

An American child

D Em G A

An American child

Bm A

'Cause dreams can grow wild

G A D Em G A

Born inside an American child

D Em G A

[Verse 2]

G D/F# Em D

Seven pounds, three ounces, she's got my nose

G D/F# Em A

And she's into my heart as deep as it goes

G D/F# Em D

With a promise that's more than just someone's last name

C G Asus4 A

Anyone's equal, in late August came

[Chorus]

D Em G A

An American child

D Em G A

An American child

Bm A

'Cause dreams can grow wild

G A D

Born inside an American child

[Instrumental]

Bm F#m Em A

D/F# G A

[Bridge]

Bm F C F

My grandfather would have been eighty today

Bm A

But in '45 he fell down beside

[Chorus]

D Em G A

An American child

D Em G A

An American child

D Em G A

Oh, an American child

Bm A

'Cause dreams can grow wild

G A D Em G A

Born inside an American child

D Em G A

Oh, an American child

D Em G A

Woah

(Until fade)

D Em G A

About American Child Chords by Phil Vassar

Learn how to play American Child by Phil Vassar with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “American Child chords”, “American Child guitar chords”, or “Phil Vassar American Child 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 Child chords and for experienced players who want accurate American Child lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include D/F#, Em, G, A, D, C.

FAQ — American Child by Phil Vassar

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What key is "American Child" in?

The chords for "American Child" show the original chord names (including D/F#, Em, G, A, D, C). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.