Intro
F
[Verse 1]
F
I was just 23 when Lorene married me
A# F
F good woman's greatest mistake
She was carrying my child but I was too young and wild
G C
For the burdens that marriage creates
[Verse 2]
F
So just like a coward I looked for a way out
A# F
I went where the Slank River flows
A# F
I left her a note inside of my coat
C F
And quickly walked off down the road
[Verse 3]
F
Lorene stood and shivered while they dragged the river
A# F
For the body that was not to be found
I watched from a hill while they had my funeral
G G7 C
From there I could hear every sound
[Verse 4]
F
There were friends and relations
A# F
And they all kept saying what shame it was I chose to die
A# F
But the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
C F
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Chorus]
A# F
Black velvet lace covered her face
C
But her grieving was too strong to hide
F
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
C F Gb
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Verse 5]
Gb
After two years of hiding with my shame locked inside me
Cb Gb
My conscience led me back home
To a small country graveyard where a plain wooden marker
G# C#
Had Lorene's name carved next to my own
[Verse 6]
Gb
Now I stand and shiver at the banks of the river
Cb Gb
Lorene seems to beckon to me
Cb Gb
Death like an old friend whispers come on in
C# Gb
And I'll put your conscience to sleep
[Chorus]
Cb Gb
Black velvet lace covered her face
C#
But her grieving was too strong to hide
Gb
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
C# Gb
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Outro]
Gb
As I go under the last I remember
C# Gb Cb Gb C# Gb
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried