AMERICA
(Stephen Sondheim -Leonard Bernstein)
This is the instrumental version that Keith Emerson arranged initially for the
Nice and later (like Rondo),played with Emerson, Lake and Palmer. It contains
quotations from Dvorak’s New World Symphony and like the original is in an odd
triplet rhythm on the 1st 2 beats, (1&&, 2&&, 3&,4,) Not all of the Bernstein song
is used, but I have included the lyrics for illustration
Intro (New World Quote No 1)
Chords: Cm Bb Cm Gm Cm
Notes: CDEb DCC C Bb G Bb C
Chords: Cm Bb Cm Cm Gm Cm Gm C
Notes: CDEb F G EbDC DCBb EbDC DCBb C
Song Intro (straight 4)
Chords: | C C F F | C C G G | Eb Eb Bb Bb | Ab Ab G G | x 2
Verse
C F C G
I like to be in America! O.K. by me in America!
Eb Bb Ab G
Ev'rything free in America For a small fee in America!
C F C G
I like the shores of America! Comfort is yours in America!
Eb Bb Ab G
Knobs on the doors in America, Wall-to-wall floors in America!
(Changed Tune)
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/e/emerson_lake_and_palmer/america_crd.html ]
F Bb Eb Ab
Automobile in America, Chromium steel in America,
Db Gb Gb G
Wire-spoke wheel in America, Very big deal in America!
Second Quote from the New World
Chords: Cm Gm Cm Gm Cm Eb
Notes: CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbAbG F Eb D
Chords: Cm
Notes: C D Eb C D Eb C Eb G C G Eb
Chords: Cm Gm Cm Gm Cm Eb
Notes: CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbGBb CDEb BbAbG F Eb D
Chords: G G Ab Bb C
Notes: GAbBbAbGF GAbBbAbGF AbBbCBbAbG BbCDCBbAb C
Solo
Over | C C Gm Gm |
End of Solo Chords (1&&, 2&&, 3&, 4) | G | G | Ab | Ab | Bb | Bb | C |
Back to Verse
An interesting fact is that The Nice’s Version released in the UK during 1968 (at
the height of protests against the Vietnam War) was considered an instrumental
“protest song” with the US Flag being burned at live performances. Even though the
Nice had Davy O’List as their Guitarist, he was sacked, allegedly for
inconsistency. Although Greg Lake did play Guitar with ELP, it was rumoured that
Emerson would have only tolerated Jimi Hendrix as “his” Guitarist. Well after
trying to amplify his piano to compete with incompetent Guitarists when he first
started, it is an understandable sentiment.
