Song For Sam Cooke Here In America

INTRO:
G  Em  G  Em

VERSE:
G                              Em
We traveled this land back in nineteen sixty-two
G                               Em
We played the places that were home to me and you
G                    Em
We drove to Memphis, we rocked a set
G                                   Em
We walked the streets at night and smoked a cigarette


CHORUS:
          C     Cmaj7
Here in America
Cmaj7  Em
Heeeeeeere in America
              Am               Am7
There was so much I didn't know
           D
About the way that life could go

          Em    Em
Here in America


VERSE:
 G                        Em
Down the block I saw the people stop and stare
 G                           Em
You did your best to make a Yankee boy aware
G                          Em
I never thought about the color of your skin
G                          Em
I never worried 'bout the hotel I was in


CHORUS:
          C             Cmaj7
Here in America (Woh oh woh oh)

Cmaj7  Em
Heeeeeeere in America (In America)
         Am                Am7
But the places I could stay
          D
They all made you walk away

          Em    Em
Here in America

G  Em  G  Em


VERSE:
 G                               Em
You were the man who earned the glory and the fame
 G                                Em
But cowards felt that they could call you any name
 G                  Em
You were the star, standing in the light
 G                         Em
That won you nothing on a city street at night


CHORUS:
          C     Cmaj7
Here in America
Cmaj7  Em             Em
Heeeeeeere in America
          Am                   Am7
You were told that we were free
              D
This land is made for you and me

          Em    Em  Em  Em
Here in America


VERSE:
 G                             Em
You stayed more steady than a backbeat on a drum
 G                           Em
You told me you believed a change was gonna come
 G                   Em
You sang for freedom but lived life free
G                          Em
I saw it in your smile and in your dignity


CHORUS:
          C     Cmaj7
Here in America
Cmaj7  Em             Em
Heeeeeeere in America
             Am                  Am7
A preacher's kid you'll always be
              D
Singing the truth to set us free

          Em    Em
Here in America
          Em    Em  Em  Em
Here in America


VERSE:
 G                              Em
You were a star when you were standing on a stage
G                      Em
 I look back on it, I feel a burning rage
 G                         Em
You sang "You Send Me", I sang "I Wonder Why"
G                        Em
I still wonder, you were way too young to die


CHORUS:
          C                Cmaj7
Here in America (ooooh, ooh ooh oooooh ooh)
          Em     Em
Here in America
             Am                    Am7
Hey, Sam, I wish that you were near
   D
I wish that you were here


OUTRO:
          Em    Em
Here in America
          C     D
Here in America

  Em   Em
America
     C     D
In America
          Em   Em
Here in America