#----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE--------------------------------#
#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the#
#song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research.#
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Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 03:48:34 -0800
From: Jed 
Subject: The Shortest Story by Harry Chapin


LISTEN TO THE SONG ON "GREATEST SONGS LIVE" TO UNDESTAND.


STRUM C CHORD SLOWLY
PLUCK C ON THE B STRING AND THE OPEN G STRING TOGETHOR THREE TIME


 C (x32010@1)       G (320003@1)    F (133211@1)               G (320003@1)           em    (STRUM em
SLOWLY)
 I am born today, the sun burns its promise in my eyes;

 F (133211@1)     G (320003@1)            C (x32010@1)    em         am
 Mama strikes me and I draw a breath and cry.

 F (133211@1)        G (320003@1)          C (x32010@1)     em          am
 Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky;

 G (320003@1)     G (320003@1)        F (133211@1)I am glad to be alive.


>G     F (133211@1) C (x32010@1)               G (320003@1) F (133211@1)          G (320003@1)         em (STRUM em SLOW)
 It is me seventh day, I taste the hunger and I cry;

 F (133211@1)             G (320003@1)   C (x32010@1)     em      am
 my brother and sister cling to Mama's side.

 F (133211@1)              G (320003@1)                C (x32010@1)    em      am
 She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide;

 G (320003@1)             G (320003@1)       F (133211@1)someone weeps, I fall asleep.


>G    F (133211@1) C (x32010@1)               G (320003@1)    F (133211@1)           G (320003@1)        em  (STRUM)
 It is twenty days today, Mama does not hold me anymore;

 F (133211@1)       G (320003@1)          C (x32010@1)em        am
 I open my mouth but I am too weak to cry.

 F (133211@1)        G (320003@1)          C (x32010@1)   em         am
 Above me a bird slowly crawls across the sky;

 G (320003@1)                  G (320003@1)            am
 why is there nothing now to do but die?