INTRO: Am  F  C  D7    G

                   D             C                   G   ~ Em
When Emma Rose was ten years old, her father passed away  
                        A             C              D7      G
She cried to think he'd never see her on her wedding day  
                    D            C               G
And then her mother sickened and left her on her own  
         Am            F             C             D         G
Saying, "Emma Rose, it grieves me to leave you so alone" 


CHORUS:
          D                 C                D   G     B
How long, how long, will it be 'til you're returning?
          Em             C                  D7            G
How long, how long, must I keep the candles burning?


                   D             C                    G   ~ Em
When Emma Rose was sixteen years, she was courted and wed  
                 A                C                   D7      G
By Danny Jay the neighbour boy, a fine young man they said  
                     D             C           G
And in the flowering of their love, Emma had a son  
Am             F                  C             D       G
Danny left one morning before the rising of the sun


CHORUS:
          D                 C                D   G     B
How long, how long, will it be 'til you're returning?
          Em             C                  D7            G
How long, how long, must I keep the candles burning?


                      D              C             G     ~ Em
The years went by and Emma Rose grew bitter in her grief  
                   A             C                  D7       G
Of all the men who came and went, none gave her any peace  
                   D        C                  G
And even age could not erase the beauty in her face  
    Am            F                C              D      
But Emma Rose had eyes for one who left without a trace
            G
And tell me


CHORUS:
          D                 C                D   G     B
How long, how long, will it be 'til you're returning?
          Em             C                  D7            G
How long, how long, must I keep the candles burning?


            D        C                       G    ~ Em
Emma lives alone now, the child is grown and gone
                      A                   C                D7      G
Some say they see her now and then on the days she goes to town
                     D                C              G
If you're travelling north, there's a mailbox on the road
    Am              F             C                 D      G
And all it says is 'Emma Rose' in letters faint and old


CHORUS:
          D                 C                D   G     B
How long, how long, will it be 'til you're returning?
          Em             C                  D7       
How long, how long, must I keep the candles burning?