#----------------------------------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. # #------------------------------------------------------------------------------# # From Jed.Reinitz@oberlin.edu Sat Feb 21 11:38:31 1998 Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 03:40:51 -0800 From: Jed To: bgbie AT (@) conncoll DOT edu Subject: song to post Hi, I came up with this tonight, If you could post it I would be much oblidged. I think other people should have the opportunity to play this song. You can post my comentary too if you want. Jed.Reinitz@oberlin.edu As I was listening to Harry Chapin's "Greatest Stories Live" tonight I pciked up a guitar to play along with some of the songs. I started laying with The Shorest story and after playing through the song several times was really hit by the pure beauty of the song. I had never really listened to the words before as if they were a cohesive story. Tonight I was able to do so, and was throughly moved by the song. It is one of the most gut wrenching, emotion inducing stories I have ever heard, Chapin allows you to become the suffering baby but does not let you forget your own concept of time. 2 days, 20 days, and its all over. I was wondering if Chapin had any expereince with a child and premature death. The song is so heart felt, It feels as though he had been touched by the subject somehow. Anyhow, I just wanted ot get the chords posted on the net, so others could enjoy the song like I have. Listen to song to understand the markings I have placed below. It is an easy song to play, but it can sound terrific. Jed 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?