In the streets, the children screamed

The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed

And not a word was spoken

The church bells, all were broken

The three men I admired most

They were singing, "Bye, bye, Miss American Pie"

I drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry

Them good ol' boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singing: "This'll be the day that I die"

"This'll be the day that I die"

And the three men I admired most