Written by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Intro: A E Dsus2 Dsus2 E E Bm7 Bm7 A E Dsus2 Dsus2 E E A A verse 1: A E Dsus2 E Bm When we were young we pledged allegiance every morning of our lives. A E Dsus2 E A The classroom rang with children's voices under teacher's watchful eye. E Dsus2 E Bm We learned about the world around us at our desks and at dinner time. A E Dsus2 E A Reminded of the starving children, we cleaned our plates with guilty minds. Dsus2 E A D E Bm And the stones in the road, shone like diamonds in the dust. F#m Dsus2 A E And then a voice called to us to make our way back home. verse 2: A E Dsus2 E Bm When I was ten my father held me on his shoulders above the crowd A E Dsus2 E A to see a train all draped in mourning pass slowly through our town. E Dsus2 E Bm His widow kneeled with all their children at the sacred burial ground. A E Dsus2 E A And the TV glowed that long hot summer with all the cities burning down. Dsus2 E A D E Bm And the stones in the road flew out beneath our bicycle tires. F#m Dsus2 A E Worlds removed from all those fires, as we raced each other home A E Dsus2 Dsus2 E E Bm7 Bm7 A E Dsus2 Dsus2 E E A A Bridge: Dsus2 E A And now we drink our coffee on the run; we climb that ladder rung by rung. Dsus2 F#m D E We are the daughters and the sons, and here's the line that's missing. verse 3: A E Dsus2 E Bm The starving children have been replaced by souls out on the street. A E Dsus2 E A We give a dollar when we pass, and hope our eyes don't meet. E Dsus2 E Bm We pencil in, we cancel out; we crave the corner suite. A E Dsus2 E A We kiss your ass, we make you hold; we doctor the receipt. Dsus2 E A D E Bm And the stones in the road fly out from beneath our wheels. F#m Dsus2 E A Another day, another deal, before we get back home. Dsus2 E A D E Bm Stones in the road leave a mark from whence they came. F#m Dsus2 A E A thousand points of light or shame; baby I don't know. A E Dsus2 Dsus2 E E Bm7 Bm7 A E Dsus2 Dsus2 E E A A