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American Jerusalem

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Eminor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
C  G  D
[Verse 1]
EmNew York City rain
Don't know if it's making me Bmdirty or clean
Went for the subway, but there Cwas no train
And the tunnel was Ggrumbling for repairs aDgain
And the Csign says 'EmWelcome to AGmeriDcan JeGrusalem'D  Em  
[Verse]
EmI've been around
You could spend forever making a Bmfriend in this town
All you get to do is Clay your dollar down
Until you're stumbling Gdrunk up the stairs aDgain
And the Csign says 'EmWelcome to AGmeriDcan JeGrusalem'
[Chorus]
In the Dtemples of ACmerican JeGrusalem
They buy an Dounce of South AAmfrican Ggold
They don't Dcare who was bought or Emsold
Or who Cdied to Dmine itEm  D/F#  
In the Dtemples of ACmerican JeGrusalem
They buy an Dounce of MarAmseille Gwhite
And someDwhere on a street with no Emlight
Somebody Cdies Dtrying itEm  D/F#  
[Verse 2]
EmSomewhere in the crowd
Looking that kinda way that'll Bmmake you turn around
There'll be somebody who knoCws what it's about
And he'll take the Gribbons from your hair aDgain
And Cwelcome you Emto AGmeriDcan JeGrusalem
[Instrumental]
D Em      Bm      C      G   D   C  Em  G D   G
[Chorus]
In the Dalleys of ACmerican JeGrusalem
The Dhomeless lie Amdown at the Gdawn
The pretty Dpeople wonder what they're Emon
And Chow they afDford itEm  D/F#  
And in the Dashes of ACmerican JeGrusalem
The Dprophets live their Amdeaths out on the Gcorner
The pretty Dpeople say there should've been a Emwarning
But Cnobody Dheard itEm  D/F#  
[Verse 3]
EmThen shadows lick the sun
The streets are paved with Bmfootsteps on the run
Somebody musta got double, 'cause CI got none
I forgot to colGlect my share aDgain
So go Cwest to Gbreathe the cleansing Dair again
Go NiCagara foGr your honeyDmoon again
Go on the Croad if you're Ggonna sing your Dtune again
Go out to Csea and Glearn to be a Dman again
Until you Ccome on Emhome to AGmeriDcan JeGrusalem

All chords in this song (7)

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American Jerusalem

by Shawn Colvin

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

D/F#

[Intro]

C G D

[Verse 1]

New York City rain

Don't know if it's making me dirty or clean

Went for the subway, but there was no train

G D

And the tunnel was grumbling for repairs again

C Em G D G D Em

And the sign says 'Welcome to American Jerusalem'

[Verse]

I've been around

You could spend forever making a friend in this town

All you get to do is lay your dollar down

G D

Until you're stumbling drunk up the stairs again

C Em G D G

And the sign says 'Welcome to American Jerusalem'

[Chorus]

D C G

In the temples of American Jerusalem

D Am G

They buy an ounce of South African gold

D Em

They don't care who was bought or sold

C D Em D/F#

Or who died to mine it

D C G

In the temples of American Jerusalem

D Am G

They buy an ounce of Marseille white

D Em

And somewhere on a street with no light

C D Em D/F#

Somebody dies trying it

[Verse 2]

Somewhere in the crowd

Looking that kinda way that'll make you turn around

There'll be somebody who knows what it's about

G D

And he'll take the ribbons from your hair again

C Em G D G

And welcome you to American Jerusalem

[Instrumental]

D Em Bm C G D C Em G D G

[Chorus]

D C G

In the alleys of American Jerusalem

D Am G

The homeless lie down at the dawn

D Em

The pretty people wonder what they're on

C D Em D/F#

And how they afford it

D C G

And in the ashes of American Jerusalem

D Am G

The prophets live their deaths out on the corner

D Em

The pretty people say there should've been a warning

C D Em D/F#

But nobody heard it

[Verse 3]

Then shadows lick the sun

The streets are paved with footsteps on the run

Somebody musta got double, 'cause I got none

G D

I forgot to collect my share again

C G D

So go west to breathe the cleansing air again

C G D

Go Niagara for your honeymoon again

C G D

Go on the road if you're gonna sing your tune again

C G D

Go out to sea and learn to be a man again

C Em G D G

Until you come on home to American Jerusalem

About American Jerusalem Chords by Shawn Colvin

Learn how to play American Jerusalem by Shawn Colvin with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “American Jerusalem chords”, “American Jerusalem guitar chords”, or “Shawn Colvin American Jerusalem 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 Jerusalem chords and for experienced players who want accurate American Jerusalem lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include C, G, D, Em, Bm, Am.

FAQ — American Jerusalem by Shawn Colvin

How do I play "American Jerusalem" by Shawn Colvin on guitar?

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Is "American Jerusalem" easy to play on guitar?

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What key is "American Jerusalem" in?

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