Intro: D/F# Em G A | 2x
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 A
Who'd ever figure that kid in the yard would go very far
G D/F# Em A
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 A
Now I'm singin' and living the life that I love
C G A
And when I count my blessings I thank God I was
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
Seven pounds, three ounces, she's got my nose
And she's into my heart as deep as it goes
With a promise that's more than just someone's last name
Anyone's equal, in late August came
An American child
(Chorus)
Instrumental: Bm F#m Em A
Bm F#m Em A
Bm F#m Em A
D/F# G A
(Bridge)
Bm F C F
My grandfather would have been eighty today
Bm A D Em G A
But in '45 he fell down beside an American child
(Chorus)