[In the bush, a widow maker is either a hung up tree, propped up by others or a wind shook tree that sometimes splits as it falls. Could also be a branch that gets knocked off when falling. A widow maker can apply to any activity or situation that can kill you if you're not paying attention. If you're dancing with the 'Widow Makers' wife, chances are you're tempting fate and likely won't die in bed!]

Dancing With The 'Widow Maker's' Wife

Key of G

Slow tune

G                                      D
Sit around the fireside, coffee in your hand
C                               Em
Talk about the days gone by and all the dreams you’d planned
         G                   D
How they melted into living; replaced by daily strife.
C                                        Em
All because you would not dance with the 'Widow Maker's' wife!

G                             D
They say the widow maker is a mean and spiteful beast.
    C                                 Em
He doesn't like you flirting with his lady in the least!
   G                      D
Very few escape him, He's not the sporting type.
      C                          Em
He'll take out anyone he catches messing with his wife!

G   D   C   Em


Em                            D
You’ll find him in the trees, You’ll find him in the field.
     C                        Em
He’ll be out on the highway a tugging at the wheel.
  G                      D
Wherever distraction and complacency abound
  C                            Em
The widow makers out  there and working on his rounds

G                            D
He’ll be upon the high seas, He’ll be up in the sky.
   C                                 Em
He’ll be out in the deep or he’ll be creeping through the rye.
G                                        D
As you make your last mistakes, he'll be wishing you goodbye
        C                                        Em
'cause he’s out there working hard to make those frail spirits fly

G                         D
Life is what you make it, It’s easy or a fight.
C                               Em
If you die with your boots on, somewhere in the night.
      G                               D
Someday someone will find you, your bones all bleached and white
C                                               Em
They’ll say that, “you’ve been dancing with the 'Widow Maker's' wife.”

G                                  Am
But if you die in your easy chair, caressed by firelight
     B7                            Em
She'll be forlorn and wistful, The 'Widow Makers' wife


G                        D
She’s a beautiful lady, the 'Widow Maker's' wife
C                                 Em
She’ll hold you in her arms be the centre of your light.
 G                             D
Caress you with her fragrance, seduce you with her bite.
C                             Em
Send you off to paradise the 'Widow Maker's' wife

G                         D
Life is what you make it, It’s easy or a fight.
C                              Em
If you die with your boots on, somewhere in the night.
   G                           D
Someday someone will find you, bones all bleached and white
        C                                        Em
They’ll say that, “you’ve been dancing with the 'Widow Maker's' wife.”

 B7                                 Em
She'll send you off to paradise the 'Widow Maker's' wife
B7                                  Em
She'll send you off to paradise the 'Widow Maker's' wife


© Francis H Peters Nov. 26, 2022