Allentown
View chords used in this chart
C D G 3x
G Em D
Well we're living here in Allentown
C D G
And they're closing all the factories down
Em A D
Out in Bethlehem they're killing time
A Em A D
Filling out forms - Standing in line
G Em D
Well our fathers fought the Second World War
C D G
Spent their weekends on the Jersey Shore
Em A D
Met our mothers in the USO
A D A D
Asked them to dance, Danced with them slow
G Em D
And we're living here in Allentown
F G C
But the restlessness was handed down
Em C G D Em D
And it's getting very hard to stay
C D G ? C D G
G Em D
Well we're waiting here in Allentown
C D G
For the Pennsylvania we never found
Em A D
For the promises our teachers gave
A Em A D
If we worked hard , If we behaved
G Em D
So the graduations hang on the wall
C D G
But they never really helped us at all
Em A D
No they never taught us what was real
A D A D
Iron and coke - And chromium steel
G Em D
And we're waiting here in Allentown
F G C
But they've taken all the coal from the ground
Em C G D Em D
And the union people crawled away
C D G
F G A#
Every child had a pretty good shot
F G A#
To get at least as far as their old man got
F G A#
But something happened on the way to that
Place
F G A#
They threw an American flag in our face
C D G
G Em D
Well I'm living here in Allentown
C D G
And it's hard to keep a good man down
Em C G D Em D
But I won't be getting up today - ay - ay
C D G
SOLO> F G A# (4x)
Em C G D Em D
And it's getting very hard to stay
C D G
And we're living here in Allentown
How to play Allentown
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is C. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.