‘Dark Prairie’ is on “Signals Through the Glass – The Songs
of John Stewart and Buffy Ford”, Capitol, 1968, CD-reissue by Folk Era, 2004.
Great song. Excellent as a poem, you pick the period, and the music fits like a glove.
Play along to the album to get a feel for the song, I suggest.
Capo 3rd fret
(F#m)
(F#m) (reverse strummed)
(F#m) This old earth, she (A)treats me like a (G)stranger,
(single bass notes B-A-F# into chord)
(F#m) This old earth, (A) she don't even (G)care,
(single bass notes G-F#-E into chord)
(Em) This old earth, she (C)tortures (D)me with (G)seasons, (Bm)
(Em) This old earth, ain't (A7)going any(D)where
(F#m) (reverse strummed)
(F#m) Wake up in the (A)morning and I'm (G)hungry,
(single bass notes B-A-F# into chord)
(F#m)Wake up in the (A)evening and I'm (G)cold.
(single bass notes G-F#-E into chord)
(Em) Mama's in her (C)bed(D) with a (G)fever, (Bm)
(Em) This old earth will (A7)see she don't get (D)old.
(E) Dark prairie sky (G)hides the (A)far ho(D)rizon,
(E) Dark prairie wind (G) blowing (A)down our (D)home.
(Em) Dark prairie (F#m)eyes (D) watch us through the (G)(hold)window,
(C)(hold) Dark prairie (D)(hold) buries her (E)(hold)own.
(F#m) (F#m) (reverse strummed)
(F#m) I hate to see my (A)woman looking (G)hollow,
(single bass notes B-A-F# into chord)
(F#m)I hate to see my (A)woman's eyes grow (G)dim.
(single bass notes G-F#-E into chord)
(Em) I ease her all I (C)can,(D) as the (G)sweat upon my (Bm)hand
(Em) Mingles with the (A7)earth upon (D)her chin.
(E) Dark prairie sky (G)hides the (A)far ho(D)rizon,
(E) Dark prairie wind (G) blowing (A)down our (D)home.
(Em) Dark prairie (F#m)eyes (D) watch us through the (G)(hold)window,
(C)(hold) Dark prairie (D)(hold) buries her (E)(hold)own.
(Em) (C) (F#m) (Bm) (Em)
(C)(hold) Dark prairie (D)(hold)buries her (E)(hold)own. (F#)
© John Stewart, All Rights Reserved
Charlie Woodward, Art Faller & janhauenstein@gmx.de
October 2007