The Shortest Story Chords
by Harry Chapin
The Shortest Story by Harry Chapin is a moderately challenging guitar song played in the key of C. It uses the chords C, B, G, F, Em and Am. Use the transpose and diagram tools on this page to change the key, see each shape, or simplify the chords.
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?