Lorene

I was just 23 when Lorene married me
A good woman's greatest mistake
She was carrying my child but I was too young and wild
For the burdens that marriage creates

So just like a coward I looked for a way out
I went where the Slank River flows
I left her a note inside of my coat
And quickly walked off down the road

Lorene stood and shivered while they dragged the river
For the body that was not to be found
I watched from a hill while they had my funeral
From there I could hear every sound

There were friends and relations
And they all kept saying what shame it was I chose to die
But the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried

Black velvet lace covered her face
But her grieving was too strong to hide
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried

After two years of hiding with my shame locked inside me
My conscience led me back home
To a small country graveyard where a plain wooden marker
Had Lorene's name carved next to my own

Now I stand and shiver at the banks of the river
Lorene seems to beckon to me
Death like an old friend whispers come on in
And I'll put your conscience to sleep

Black velvet lace covered her face
But her grieving was too strong to hide
Yes, the thing that still haunts me and tears at my conscience
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried

As I go under the last I remember
Is the sound Lorene made when she cried