The Tillers
Willy Dear
Through some nice country hammers while playing the chords.
Walk the bass note from the G > F# > Em.
G C G
D G C G
G Em
G C G
G C G
Oh Willy Dear you've got a mind to leave me once again.
D G C G
I see your ship upon the shore and freight all loaded in'
G Em
"Oh Lizzy dear you know that I must ship out with the crew.
G C G
And though the river carries me my heart remains with you"
G C G
Willy's ship departed from the docks early next day
D G C G
Elizabeth looked on as he floated far away
G Em
From the house upon the hill she'd wait and watch the rver bend
G C G
For the ship to bring her own true love safely home again
G C G
He toiled aboard the boat for months with hands so rough and raw
D G C G
She waited for a letter as the sun did rise and fall
G Em
Until one day she saw the smoke and heard the hissing steam
G C G
The weary ship returning from the haul to New Orleans
Em C G
G C G
Just then a loud explosion broke and trembled hills around
D G C G
Her eyes so wide in horror as the tears came pouring down
G Em
From bow to stern the ship did burn, she heard the sailor's cry
G C G
The flame and fire of rapture lighting up the midnight sky
G C G
Then with a trembling hand upon the pen she wrote for he
D G C G
"The world can show no beauty if with you I cannot be
G Em
Oh loneliness, I can't endure to drown in sorrows tide
G C G
I go to meet my Willy dear upon the other side"
G C G
Next day a ship come rolling in and anchored in the wake
D G C G
Aboard was Willy Thompson on arrival one day late
G Em
As fast as he could travel, and through the door he broke
G C G
And up the stairs he found his darling hanging from a rope
Em C G
D G C G
G Em
G C G
G C G
Now time did pass for Willy as he walked this world alone
D G C G
But time stood still upon the hill where sat poor Lizzie's home
G Em
And now so still and quiet there stands the open door
G C G
The dust upon the window pane and shadows on the floor
G C G
It's eighteen stairs will bring her up to the widow's walk
D G C G
And five windows for a view the rusted steam ship docks
G Em
Is Lizzy standing by the chair or is she in the hall
G C G
Or is she in the corner with her pale face to the wall
G C Em
G C D G
G Em
G C D G
G C Em
G C D G
G Em
G C D G
