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Lake Marie

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Lake Marie - John Prine
Album - Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings
[Intro]
     G    C    Dx2
[Chorus]
We were Gstanding,C  
Dstanding by peaceful GwatersC  
DStanding by peaceful Gwaters
CWhoa why Doh why GohC  D  
[Verse 1]
  GMany years ago along the Illinois/WiCsconsin borderD  
There was this Indian Gtribe
They found two babies in the woods   Cwhite babiesD  
GOne of them was named Elizabeth. She was the Cfairer of the twoD  
While the smaller and Gmore fragile one was named MarieC  D  
GHaving never seen white girls before
And Cliving on the two lakes Dknown as the Twin LakesG  
They named the larger and more beautiful Clake Lake EDlizabeth
GAnd thus the smaller lake that was hidden from the highwayC  
Became Dknown forever as   GLake MarieC  D  
[Chorus]
We were Gstanding,C  
Dstanding by peaceful GwatersC  
DStanding by peaceful Gwaters
CWhoa why Doh why GohC  D  
[Verse 2]
  GMany years later I found myself talking with this CgirlD  
Who was standing there Gwith her back turned to Lake MarieC  
The wind was blowing   Despecially   Gthrough her hair
 CThere was four Italian Dsausages cooking on the Goutdoor grill
And they was Csizzlin'D  
  GMany years later we Cfound ourselves in CanadaD  
Trying to save our Gmarriage and perhaps   Ccatch a few fishD  
GWhatever came first, Cthat night she fell asleep in my Darms
Ghumming the tune to "Louie LouCie"D  
Ahh Gbaby, we gotta Cgo nowD  
[Chorus]
We were Gstanding,C  
Dstanding by peaceful GwatersC  
DStanding by peaceful Gwaters
CWhoa why Doh why Goh
CWhoa why Doh why GohC  D  
[Verse 3]
 GThe dogs were barking as the cars were parking
The Cloan sharks were sharking  Dthe narcs were narcingG  
Practically everyone was there   Cin the parking Dlot by the forest preserve
 GThe police had found two bodies, nay Cnaked bodiesD  
Their faces had been Ghorribly disfigured by some shhhCarp objectD  
Saw it on the Gnews, the TV news   Cin a black and Dwhite video
  GYou know what blood looks like in Ca black and white video?D  
GShadows! Shadows!    C   DThat's what it looks likeG  
All the love we Cshared betDween her and me Gwas slammed
SlaCmmed up against the banks of Dold Lake MaGrie,   MaCrie!D  
[Chorus]
We were Gstanding,C  
Dstanding by peaceful GwatersC  
DStanding by peaceful Gwaters
CWhoa why Doh why Goh
CWhoa why Doh why Goh
CWhoa why Doh why Goh
  CPeaceful watersD  
  GStanding by peaceful watersC  
DAhhhhhh Gbaby
  CWe gotta go nowD  
[Outro]
     G    C    Dx9
(fade out)

All chords in this song (3)

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Lake Marie

by John Prine

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Lake Marie - John Prine

Album - Lost Dogs and Mixed Blessings

[Intro]

G C D

[Chorus]

G C

We were standing,

D G C

standing by peaceful waters

D G

Standing by peaceful waters

C D G C D

Whoa why oh why oh

[Verse 1]

G C D

Many years ago along the Illinois/Wisconsin border

There was this Indian tribe

C D

They found two babies in the woods white babies

G C D

One of them was named Elizabeth. She was the fairer of the two

G C D

While the smaller and more fragile one was named Marie

Having never seen white girls before

C D G

And living on the two lakes known as the Twin Lakes

C D

They named the larger and more beautiful lake Lake Elizabeth

G C

And thus the smaller lake that was hidden from the highway

D G C D

Became known forever as Lake Marie

[Chorus]

G C

We were standing,

D G C

standing by peaceful waters

D G

Standing by peaceful waters

C D G C D

Whoa why oh why oh

[Verse 2]

G C D

Many years later I found myself talking with this girl

G C

Who was standing there with her back turned to Lake Marie

D G

The wind was blowing especially through her hair

C D G

There was four Italian sausages cooking on the outdoor grill

C D

And they was sizzlin'

G C D

Many years later we found ourselves in Canada

G C D

Trying to save our marriage and perhaps catch a few fish

G C D

Whatever came first, that night she fell asleep in my arms

G C D

humming the tune to "Louie Louie"

G C D

Ahh baby, we gotta go now

[Chorus]

G C

We were standing,

D G C

standing by peaceful waters

D G

Standing by peaceful waters

C D G

Whoa why oh why oh

C D G C D

Whoa why oh why oh

[Verse 3]

The dogs were barking as the cars were parking

C D G

The loan sharks were sharking the narcs were narcing

C D

Practically everyone was there in the parking lot by the forest preserve

G C D

The police had found two bodies, nay naked bodies

G C D

Their faces had been horribly disfigured by some shhharp object

G C D

Saw it on the news, the TV news in a black and white video

G C D

You know what blood looks like in a black and white video?

G C D G

Shadows! Shadows! That's what it looks like

C D G

All the love we shared between her and me was slammed

C D G C D

Slammed up against the banks of old Lake Marie, Marie!

[Chorus]

G C

We were standing,

D G C

standing by peaceful waters

D G

Standing by peaceful waters

C D G

Whoa why oh why oh

C D G

Whoa why oh why oh

C D G

Whoa why oh why oh

C D

Peaceful waters

G C

Standing by peaceful waters

D G

Ahhhhhh baby

C D

We gotta go now

[Outro]

G C D

(fade out)

About Lake Marie Chords by John Prine

Learn how to play Lake Marie by John Prine with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Lake Marie chords”, “Lake Marie guitar chords”, or “John Prine Lake Marie chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Lake Marie chords and for experienced players who want accurate Lake Marie lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include G, C, D.

FAQ — Lake Marie by John Prine

How do I play "Lake Marie" by John Prine on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Lake Marie" by John Prine on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Lake Marie" by John Prine free?

Yes. The chords for "Lake Marie" by John Prine are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Lake Marie" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Lake Marie" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Lake Marie"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Lake Marie" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Lake Marie" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Lake Marie" by John Prine with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by John Prine below.

What key is "Lake Marie" in?

The chords for "Lake Marie" show the original chord names (including G, C, D). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.