America

Em G C G C G What would bring a young man to rise up from his birthplace, pack his life into a suitcase, and D set sail for distant shores? Em G C G C G And what would cause a grandma after eighty years of living, to leave her little village not D knowing what may lay in store? C G C What would fill the hopeless millions with a newly kindled faith, in a brighter future far across the D waves? C D I can almost hear them say: G Em C D G America, I hear you calling me. Sweet land of liberty, I’m on my way. America, beckoning with Em C D C G Em D G open arms. I long to feel the warmth of freedom’s flame. God has given hope a name: America. Em G C G C G They spent the voyage crowded at the bottom of a steamer, fighting famine, fear, and fever, for D six long weeks or more. Em G C G C G D Children cried from hunger, oh and mothers wept for babies. Praying they would make it to see the other shore. C G C But the weariness and worry must have melted from their eyes to behold that lady rising in the D sky. C D Oh can’t you hear them cry: G Em C D G America, I hear you calling me. Sweet land of liberty, I’m on my way. America, beckoning with Em C D C G Em D G open arms. I long to feel the warmth of freedom’s flame. God has given hope a name: America. Em G C G C So I will not take for granted this life I’m blessed to lead, or the ones who sacrificed so much to Em C hand it down to me. C D Em C Em C ‘Cause not so long ago, this land I call home was just a dream of huddled masses yearning to D breathe free. Oh, oh, oh G Em C D G America, God keep you in his hand. Keep you strong and help you stand. This I pray. America, Em C D C hold high your splendid torch, let the whole world feel the warmth of freedom’s flame. God has G Em G D C D G given hope a name: Ameeeeericaaaaaaa