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