The Maple Tree
View chords used in this chart
Capo 2
A
Poor bottom Virginia
D E7
In the spring of '43
A
Waltzin' to your Ma's
D E7
Clawhammer banjo melody
A
Tryin' to catch our breath
D E7
Beneath the lonesome maple tree
D A
Shakin' and a weepin'
E7 A
You declared your love for me
A
Sooner than we'd crossed the
D E7
Threshold of your cabin door
A
'Fore the blossoms fell
D E7
Our country called you off to war
A
I saw you to the station
D E7
And above the engines roar
D A
Shakin' and a weepin'
E7 A
Swore I'd wait forever more
D A
And then soldier who
D A
They mistook for you
D A E7
Bore the brunt of the battle and died
D A
The misguided news
D E7
Ended my life too
D A
For shakin' and a weepin'
E7 A
I became your brothers bride
A
Hangin' out the washin'
D E7
Of a boy I hardly knew
A
Heavy with the promise
D E7
Only dyin can undo
A
You crossed the prairie homeward
D E7
With your heart beat black and blue
D A
Shakin' and a weepin' cause your
E7 A
Woman proved untrue
D A
And at the break of day
D A
Watched your body sway
D A E7
From the arm of an old maple tree
D A
Cut the ropes red braid
D E7
With the same sweet blade
D A
That shakin' and a weepin'
E7 A
Sent me swiftly home to thee
E7 A
Wakin' and a sleepin' by your side eternaly
How to play The Maple Tree
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is A. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.