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 bri-ide But something touched me deep insi-ide The day the music died.
So... < Chorus: > "By-ye-bye, Miss American Pie." Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dra-ay. And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singin' "This'll be the day that I die, this'll be the day that I die."
Did you write the book of lo-ove And do you have faith in God above If the Bible tells you so?
Ah, do you-u beli-ieve in rock 'n' roll? Can music save your mortal soul? And can you teach me how to dance real slo-o-o-ow-u?
Well, I know that you're in love with him 'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym. You both kicked off your sho-oes. Man, I dig those rhythm and blu-u-ues!
I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck With a pink carnation and a pickup truck, But I knew ah-I was o-out of luck The day the music died.
I started singin': < Chorus >
Now for ten years we've been on our own And moss grows fat on a rollin' 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-e-e-e-ee-.
Oh, and while the King was looking down The jester stole his thorny crown. The courtroom was adjourned, No verdict was retu-u-urned.
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: < Chorus >
Helter skelter in a summer swelter, The birds flew off with a fallout shelter, Eight miles high and falling fa-st.
It landed froul o-on the grass. The players tried for a forward pass With the jester on the sidelines in a ca-a-a-a-ast.
Now the half-time air was sweet perfume While the Sergeants played a marching tune. We all got up to da-ance, Oh, but we never got the cha-a-ance!
'Cause the players tried to take the field, The marching band refused to yield. Do you reca-all what was revealed The day the music died?
We started singing: < Chorus >
Oh, and there we were all in one place - A generation lost in space With no time left to sta-art again.
So come on Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, Jack flash sat on a candlestick 'Cause fire is the devil's only frie-e-e-e-end.
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 spe-ell!
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: < Chorus >
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 sto-ore Where I'd heard the music years before But the man there said the music wouldn't pla-a-a-ay-y.
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 Holy Ghost They caught the last train for the coast The day the music died.