Am
There’s an old dirt road, just off route nine.
FGAm
Fades into the lake, at the low water line.
Am
Sometimes I wander down that road alone.
DmGAm
Remembering the town, that I once called home.
Am
I grew up on the valley, every neighbor a friend,
FGAm
Until the modern world started creeping in.
Am
One day came the lawyers, with cash in hand.
DmGAm
They swore that our village would light up the land.
Chorus:
FAm
The dusky waters move cold and slow,
CE
And the ghosts of a village still wander below.
FAm
Homesteads of families and friends forever more,
Dm G Am (Choke)
Haunting the valley below this sparkling shore.
Am
Surrounding the valley was a painted red line,
FGAm
Drawn by company men like marking a crime.
Am
A silent reminder that all inside it must go,
DmGAm
Or be lost to the rising dead river’s flow.
Am
Some folks took the money, started grinding gears,
FGAm
While the rest of us held out, twenty odd years.
Am
We watched our town, like a photograph fade,
Dm G Am (Choke)
As the company came, to take it all away.
Am
They tore down the church, and the schoolhouse burned.
FGAm
They dug up the graves, the wheels of progress turned.
Am
They got Dutchie’s Store, and Hayden’s Pool Hall,
DmGAm
When the dozers rolled, it shattered us all.
Chorus:
FAm
The dusky waters move cold and slow,
CE
And the ghosts of the village still wander below.
FAm
Homesteads of families and friends forever more,
Dm G Am (Choke)
Haunting the valley below this sparkling shore.
Instrumental Break
Am / F / G / Am / Dm / G / Am (Choke)
Am
Old May Savage stayed as long as she could.
FGAm
Her house on the hill towered over the flood.
Am
It rose up alone, in the dark of night,
DmGAm
Its face on the water, in the cold moonlight.
Am
I shake off the memories, on my lips a prayer.
FGAm
Thanks for the grace, and the beauty down there.
Am
And while the porch lights glow, all over the state,
DmGAm
There’s nothing but darkness, under the lake.
Chorus:
FAm
The dusky waters move cold and slow,
CE
And the ghosts of a village still wander below.
FAm
Homesteads of families and friends forever more,
DmGAm
Haunting the valley below this sparkling shore.
DmGAmAm
They haunt the valley below this sparkling shore.