Intro
D#
[Verse 1]
D#
I was just 23 when Lorene married me
G# D#
D# good woman's greatest mistake
She was carrying my child but I was too young and wild
F A#
For the burdens that marriage creates
[Verse 2]
D#
So just like a coward I looked for a way out
G# D#
I went where the Slank River flows
G# D#
I left her a note inside of my coat
A# D#
And quickly walked off down the road
[Verse 3]
D#
Lorene stood and shivered while they dragged the river
G# D#
For the body that was not to be found
I watched from a hill while they had my funeral
F F7 A#
From there I could hear every sound
[Verse 4]
D#
There were friends and relations
G# D#
And they all kept saying what shame it was I chose to die
G# D#
But the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
A# D#
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Chorus]
G# D#
Black velvet lace covered her face
A#
But her grieving was too strong to hide
D#
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
A# D# Fb
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Verse 5]
Fb
After two years of hiding with my shame locked inside me
A Fb
My conscience led me back home
To a small country graveyard where a plain wooden marker
F# B
Had Lorene's name carved next to my own
[Verse 6]
Fb
Now I stand and shiver at the banks of the river
A Fb
Lorene seems to beckon to me
A Fb
Death like an old friend whispers come on in
B Fb
And I'll put your conscience to sleep
[Chorus]
A Fb
Black velvet lace covered her face
B
But her grieving was too strong to hide
Fb
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
B Fb
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried
[Outro]
Fb
As I go under the last I remember
B Fb A Fb B Fb
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried