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



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 and roll

Can music save your mortal soul

And can you teach me how to dance real slow?



Well, I know that you're in love with him

'Cause I saw you dancing in the gym

You both kicked off your shoes,

Man, I dig those rhythm and blues!



I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck

With a pink carnation and a pickup truck

But I knew that I was out of luck

The day the music died



I started singing



So bye, bye Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye

Singing this will be the day that I die,

This will be the day that I die



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



Well now in the streets the children screamed

The lovers cried and the poets dreamed

But not a word was spoken

The church bells all were broken



And the three men I admire most

The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the music died



And they were singing



Bye, bye Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

And them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye

Singin' this will be the day