Intro
B
[Verse 1]
B
I was just 23 when Lorene married me
E B
B good woman's greatest mistake
She was carrying my child but I was too young and wild
C# F#
For the burdens that marriage creates
[Verse 2]
B
So just like a coward I looked for a way out
E B
I went where the Slank River flows
E B
I left her a note inside of my coat
F# B
And quickly walked off down the road
[Verse 3]
B
Lorene stood and shivered while they dragged the river
E B
For the body that was not to be found
I watched from a hill while they had my funeral
C# C#7 F#
From there I could hear every sound
[Verse 4]
B
There were friends and relations
E B
And they all kept saying what shame it was I chose to die
E B
But the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
F# B
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Chorus]
E B
Black velvet lace covered her face
F#
But her grieving was too strong to hide
B
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
F# B C
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Verse 5]
C
After two years of hiding with my shame locked inside me
F C
My conscience led me back home
To a small country graveyard where a plain wooden marker
D G
Had Lorene's name carved next to my own
[Verse 6]
C
Now I stand and shiver at the banks of the river
F C
Lorene seems to beckon to me
F C
Death like an old friend whispers come on in
G C
And I'll put your conscience to sleep
[Chorus]
F C
Black velvet lace covered her face
G
But her grieving was too strong to hide
C
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
G C
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Outro]
C
As I go under the last I remember
G C F C G C
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried