in the street
the children screamed
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 took the last train
for the coast
the day the music died

they were singing
bye, bye, miss american pie
drove my chevy to the levee
but the levee was dry
and good 'ol boys were drinkin whisky and rye
singing "this'll be the day that i die"
"this'll be the day that i die"

and the three men i admire most
the father, son, and the holy ghost
they took the last train
for the coast
the day the music died