Intro: D/F# Em G A | 2x

      G          D/F#          Em          D       
I was ten, I was thin, I was playing first base 
       G         D/F#       Em         A
with a secondhand glove and dirt on my face
   G         D/F#
In nowhere, Virginia
Em         D/F#        C          G          A
Who'd ever figure that kid in the yard would go very far
       G   D/F#           Em       A
It was 419 Lakewood , had no silverspoons
        G          D/F#          Em            A
Just an old beat up upright that played out of tune
        G          D/F#        Em        A
Now I'm singin' and living the life that I love
         C          G                       A
And when I count my blessings I thank God I was 
    D       Em G A
An American child
    D       Em G A
An American child
       Bm               A
'Cause dreams can grow wild 
       G        A     D
Born inside an American child

Seven pounds, three ounces, she's got my nose
And she's into my heart as deep as it goes
With a promise that's more than just someone's last name
Anyone's equal, in late August came
An American child

(Chorus)

Instrumental:  Bm F#m Em A
               Bm F#m Em A
               Bm F#m Em A
               D/F# G A

(Bridge)
   Bm          F               C      F
My grandfather would have been eighty today
    Bm        A                    D       Em G A
But in '45 he fell down beside an American child

(Chorus)