Song For Sam Cooke (Here In America) Chords

Lyrics & chords

[Intro 1]
[G][Em][G][Em]

[Verse 1]
[G]We traveled this land
back in nineteen sixty- two
We played the places that were
home to me and you
We drove to Memphis, we rocked a set
We walked the streets at night
and smoked a cigarette
Here in [C]America

[Verse 2]
[Em]Here in America

[Verse 3]
There was so [Am]much I didn't know
About [D]the way that life could go
Here in [Em]America

[Verse 4]
[G]Down the block I saw the
people stop and stare
You did your best to make
a Yankee boy aware
I never thought about the
color of your skin
I never worried 'bout the hotel I was in
Here in America
[C]

[Verse 5]
[Em]Here in America (in America)

[Verse 6]
But the [Am]places I could stay
They all [D]made you walk away

[Interlude 1]
Here in America
[Em][G][Em][G][Em]

[Verse 7]
[G]You were the man who earned
the glory and the fame
But cowards felt that they
could call you any name
You were the star, standing in the light
That won you nothing on
a city street at night
Here in America
[C]

[Verse 8]
[Em]Here in America

[Verse 9]
You [Am]were told that we were free
This land is [D]made for you and me
Here in Amer[Em]ica
Here in America

[Verse 10]
[G]You stayed more steady than
a backbeat on a drum
You told me you believed a change
was gonna come
You sang for freedom, but lived life free
I saw it in your smile and in dignity
Here in [C]America

[Verse 11]
[Em]Here in America

[Verse 12]
A preacher's [Am]kid you'd always be
Singing [D]the truth to set us free
Here in [Em]America

[Interlude 2]
Here in America
[Em]

[Verse 13]
[G]You were a star when you
were standing on a stage
When I look back on it,
I feel a burning rage
You sang "You Send Me,"
I sang "I Wonder Why"
I still wonder,
you were way too young to die
Here [C]in America

[Verse 14]
Here in [Em]America

[Verse 15]
Hey, Sam, I [Am]wish that you were near
I [D]wish that you were here
Here in America
[Em]

[Verse 16]
Here in [C]America[D]

[Verse 17]
Amer[Em]ica

[Verse 18]
In [C]America[D]
Here in America
[Em]