The Maple Tree

Poorbottom Virginia in the spring of forty three
Waltzin' to yer ma's clawhammer banjo melody
Tryin' to catch our breath beneath a lonesome maple tree
Shakin' and a weepin' you declared your love for me

Sooner than we'd crossed the threshold of your cabin door
'Fore the blossoms fell, our country called you off to war
Saw you to the station and above the engine's roar
Shakin' and a weepin' swore I'd wait forevermore

Then a soldier who
They mistook for you
Bore the brunt of the battle and died
The misguided news
Ended my life too
For shakin' and a weepin' I became your brother's bride

Hangin' out the washin' of a boy I hardly knew
Heavy with a promise only dyin' can undo
You crossed the prairie homeward with your heartbeat black and blue
Shakin' and a weepin' 'cause your woman proved untrue

At the break of day
Watched your body sway
From the arm of our lone maple tree
Cut the rope's red braid
With the same sweet blade
That shakin' and a weepin' sent me swiftly home to thee
Wakin' and a sleepin' by your side eternally