G G Em C
G D G

[Chorus]
          G       B            Em
Make your bed the river, young girl
          G       C            D
Make your bed the river, young girl
G        B        C        G
La la la la la la la la la la
          G       D            G
Make your bed the river, young girl

[Verse 1]
        G            B            Em
Did you come here to meet him, my dear?
          G         C         D
You're surprised to find only me
        G          B           C           G
Well, I put him to rest at the bend in the river
        G        D         G
And the same I require of you

[Verse 2]
    G          B             Em
I'm thick with disease in my madness
     G           C        D
Only one thought pacifies me
         G            B                 C        G
That the murky, black water grinds your bones to sand
         G            D                 G
When the catfish have stripped off your hide

[Chorus]
          G       B            Em
Make your bed the river, young girl
          G       C            D
Make your bed the river, young girl
  G              B         C             G
I know you can't swim, but I'll tuck you in
          G       D            G
Make your bed the river, young girl

[Break]
G B C G
G D G

[Verse 3]
      G           B         Em
So go down as his trembling bride
        G         C      D
For too frail are fury inside
    G            B               C         G
And if there's a chance that the Lord recognizes you
     G           D          G
Pray he has more mercy than I

[Chorus]
          G       B            Em
Make your bed the river, young girl
          G       C            D
Make your bed the river, young girl
  G              B         C             G
I know you can't swim, but I'll tuck you in
          G       D            G
Make your bed the river, young girl

[Outro]
          G       D            G
Make your bed the river, young girl