A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while

But February made me shiver
With every paper, I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried
When I read about his widowed bride
Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died

So, bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol' boys drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die"

Oh, did you write the book of love?
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now, do you believe in rock 'n' roll
Can music save your mortal soul
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?

And I know you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage bronckin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died

I started singin'
Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol' boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die"

Oh, I met a girl who sang the blues
And I asked her for some happy news
But she just smiled and turned away
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play

And in the streets, the children screamed
The lovers cried and the poets dreamed
But not a word was spoken
The church bells were all broken
And the three men I admire the most
The father, son, and the holy ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died

And they were singin'
Bye-bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry
And them good ol' boys are drinkin' whiskey and rye
Singin', "This will be the day that I die
This will be the day that I die"

The day the music died