The Ballad Of St Annes Reel

verse 1 G C G He was stranded in some tiny town on fair Prince Edward Isle, G D waiting for a ship to come and find him C D G C A one-horse place, a friendly face, some coffee and a tiny trace G D G of fiddling in the distance far behind him. verse 2 G C G A dime across the counter, then, a shy hello, a brand new friend. G D A walk along the street in the wintry weather. C D G C A yellow light, an open door, a welcome friend, there's room for more, G D G And then they're standing there inside together. verse 3 G F C He said I've heard that tune before somewhere, but I can't remember when. G F Am Was it on some other friendly shore or did I hear it on the wind? C Am C Was it written on the sky above? I think I heard it from someone I love, G D G but I never heard it sound so sweet since then verse 4 G C G Now his feet begin to tap, a young boy says I'll take your hat. G D He's caught up in the magic of her smile. C D G C And leap, the heart inside him went, and off across the floor he sent G D G his clumsy body graceful as a child. Verse 5 G F C He said there's magic in the fiddler's arm, there's magic in this town. G F Am There's magic in the dancers' feet and the way they put them down. C Am C People smiling everywhere, boots and ribbons, locks of hair, G D G and laughter and old blue suits and Easter gowns. Verse 6 G F C Now the sailor's gone, the room is bare, the old piano's sitting there, G D someone's hat's left hanging on the rack. C D G C And empty chairs, the wooden floor that feels the touch of shoes no more, G D G awaiting for the dancers to come back. Verse 7 G F C And the fiddle's in the closet of some daughter of the town. G F Am The strings are broke and the bow is gone and the cover's buttoned down. C Am C But sometimes on December nights, when the air is cold and the wind is right, G D G There's a melody that passes through this town.