American Child

by Phil Vassar
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

I was (Gsus2)ten, I was thin, I was (Em7)play in’ first (D)base with a (Gsus2)sec ond hand (D)glove and (Em7)dirt on my (A)face in (Gsus2)No where, Vir gin ia.

(Em7)Who’d ev er (D)fig ure that (C)kid in the yard would (Asus)go ver y far.

’Cause (D)four nine pounds, teen Lake wood had (D)no sil ver spoons.

Just an old beat up my up right that (Em7)played out of tune.

Now I’m (Gsus2)sing in’ and (D)liv in’ the life that I love.

And when I count my (G)bless ings, I (Asus)thank God I (A)was an A mer i can (Em7)child,

an A mer i can (Em7)child.

’Cause (Bm)dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A mer i can (D)child.

(D)Sev en pounds, teen three ounc es, (D)she’s got my nose.

And she’s old to up my heart right as (Em7)deep as it goes.

With a (Gsus2)prom ise that’s (D)more than just some one’s last name.

And when I y one’s (G)e qual, in (Asus)late Au gust (A)came an A mer i can (Em7)child,

an A mer i can (Em7)child.

’Cause (Bm)dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A mer i can (D)child.

(Bm)dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A mer i can (Bm)child.

My (Bb)grand fa ther (F)would have been (C)eight y to day,

but (Bb)in for ty five, he (Asus)fell down be side an A mer i can (Em7)child,

an A mer i can (Em7)child,

oh, (A)whoa, an A mer i can (Em7)child.

’Cause dreams can grow (F#m7)wild more in (G)side an A (A)mer i can (D)child.

Oh, an A mer i can (Em7)child,

whoa, whoa, whoa.

American Child — Karaoke: Lyrics & Chords to Sing & Play Along

5 people have learned this song

Free karaoke for "American Child" by Phil Vassar: lyrics on screen with the chords above each line and a bouncing ball that lands on every word in time. Sing along, or play along on guitar or piano from the chord chart. Change the key to fit your voice, slow the tempo down. Key of D, 99 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “American Child”

What key is "American Child" by Phil Vassar played in?
American Child is arranged in the key of D on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "American Child"?
The arrangement plays at 99 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "American Child" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "American Child"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "American Child"?
"American Child" was originally performed by Phil Vassar. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "American Child"?
This arrangement uses 11 chords: A, Asus4, Bb, Bm, C, D, Em7, F, +3 more.
What other songs by Phil Vassar can I play here?
Try "THAT'S WHEN I LOVE YOU", "LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is there a karaoke version of "American Child" with lyrics?
Yes — this is a free karaoke slide for "American Child" by Phil Vassar. The lyrics appear on screen a line at a time and each word lights up exactly when it's sung, with a bouncing ball leading you word to word. A backing plays underneath so you can just sing.
Does it show chords so I can play along on guitar or piano?
It does — a chord symbol sits on a thin row just above the lyric it changes on, so the same screen doubles as a lyrics-and-chords chart. Guitarists can strum the changes and pianists can comp while singing; the chords are colour-coded and move with the live transpose if you change key.
Can I change the key of "American Child" to match my voice or capo?
Yes. The original is in D, but the live transpose control shifts the whole song up or down semitones until the melody sits in your range (or maps to an easier guitar shape / capo position) — the on-screen chords and the backing move with it.
Can I slow "American Child" down to learn the words and chords?
Yes — the tempo control lets you take it as slow as you need while the lyrics still light up in time and the ball keeps you on the beat. Speed it back up once you can sing and play it through.