CHAPIN, HARRY - "The Shortest Story" Tablature

te: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 03:48:34 -0800
From: Jed <Jed.Reinitz@oberlin.edu>
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?