#----------------------------------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         G      F                 G             Em    (STRUM Em
SLOWLY)
 I am born today, the sun burns its promise in my eyes;

 F       G              C      Em         Am
 Mama strikes me and I draw a breath and cry.

 F          G            C       Em          Am
 Above me a cloud softly tumbles through the sky;

 G       G          F
 I am glad to be alive.


>G     F

 C                 G   F            G           Em (STRUM Em SLOW)
 It is me seventh day, I taste the hunger and I cry;

 F               G     C       Em      Am
 my brother and sister cling to Mama's side.

 F                G                  C      Em      Am
 She squeezes her breast, but it has nothing to provide;

 G               G         F
 someone weeps, I fall asleep.


>G    F

 C                 G      F             G          Em  (STRUM)
 It is twenty days today, Mama does not hold me anymore;

 F         G            C  Em        Am
 I open my mouth but I am too weak to cry.

 F          G            C     Em         Am
 Above me a bird slowly crawls across the sky;

 G                    G              Am
 why is there nothing now to do but die?