American Flowers
View chords used in this chart
Capo 4
Intro:
C C C C
[Refrão]
C C7
I have seen American flowers all across this land
F C
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
C Am
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
C Am F G C C C C
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
Verse:
C C7
On the Southside of Chicago, a man who’s not yet grown
F C
Went out for a ride but the car was not his own
C Am
He did not see the stop sign or the boy on a skateboard
F G C
Now he’s lying broken on the ground
C C7
Nobody around he coulda, coulda drove away
F C
But he pulled on over to the curb and he ran out where he lay
C Am
Used his hoodie for a pillow said “little man you’re gonna be okay”
F G C
And he waited for the ambulance to come
[Refrão]
C C7
I have seen American flowers all across this land
F C
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
C Am
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
C Am F G C C C C
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
Verse:
C C7
Tender was the night down in the Tenderloin
F C
In an alley off O’Farrell Street, in the neon glow
C Am
Well she finally caught that dragon a mile from Chinatown
F G C
She took her wings and eased her body down
C C7
She gave a little shudder, but no pain, she felt no pain
F C
And she knew that she was back on home in Morgantown again
C Am
She could smell the lady slippers and the wild thimble weeds
F G C
“Mama I was just mad, I never meant to leave”
[Refrão]
C C7
I have seen American flowers all across this land
F C
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
C Am
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
C Am F G C C
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
Verse:
C C7
Layin’ roof in Texas is the job for someone younger
F C
And so is catching fastballs from your Grandson in the summer
C Am
But there you are saying “Come on kid, lemme feel that hummer”
F G C
With your back and hips and knees on fire
C C7
And he say “Come on Grandpa, when you gonna let me throw a curve?”
F C
And you’re looking back at him in the sun and you feel your heart is bursting
C Am
Let me keep him from himself and those that mean to hurt him
F G C
If that be your will, oh Lord
[Refrão]
C C7
I have seen American flowers all across this land
F C
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
C Am
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
C Am F G C
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
Instrumental:
C C7 F C C Am F G C C C C C
Verse:
C C7
Right there off the interstate in Northwest Ohio
F C
In the amber waves of grain and the assemblies of crows
C Am
There rose the two twin spires beside a golden dome
F G C
The Islamic Mosque of Greater Toledo
C C7
I was flying down the highway when it caught my eye
F C
I was sipping red cream soda, I was listening to Johnny Prine
C Am
And I saw that golden dome against a pink and purple sky
F G C
I was singing “don’t let your baby down”
[Refrão]
C C7
I have seen American flowers all across this land
F C
From the banks of the Shenandoah, along the Rio Grande
C Am
Do not fear the winter blowing in the hearts of men
C Am F G C
I have seen American flowers they will bloom again
How to play American Flowers
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.