The Shortest Story
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by Harry Chapin


[This song is one of my most favorite songs. The story it depicts is extremely touching and I think that it is one of the few songs that really mean anything anymore! It's pretty easy to play and once you play it & understand it.....you'll never forget it. Get the CD "Greatest Stories Live" and listen to this song....it's great.]

Chords:

Strum C Chord Slowly
(I've found if you just give each chord 1 strum it sounds nice.)



(First Verse)

 C        G      F                 G             Em 
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

(Second Verse)

C                 G   F            G           Em 
It is my 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

(Third Verse)

C                 G      F             G            Em
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?

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At the end I add this:


Strum the "Am" chord 3 or 4 times, then release all chords and do this....

Put your finger on the last string of the 3rd Fret (E string) - Play that note, slide down one more fret, play that note, and then finally one more fret to the 5th fret and play that note (let that last note fade away).