The Wife Of Michael Cleary Chords

Capo 1 Key Bbm

[Verse]
Am                     G     D
I wrapped his wounds in nettle leaves
Am                G        D
Around his neck an amulet of rabbit feet
Am              G      D
A love as deep as winter sea
Am                            G          D
When the waves rolled out I was left on the beach
Am                             G         D
And underneath my petticoats of cotton and calico
Am                G          D
A gypsy heart and a madwoman's soul
Am                         G          D
So stir your tea leaves and butter your bread
        Am                     G          D
But the wife of Michael Cleary won't be home again
 
Am
 
Am                            G                D
That night the rage of thunder burned across his chest
Am                               G             D
As he gathered up his hunters and rounded up his men
Am                                 
And they searched among the rivers 
      G                 D
and the mountains and the glen
Am                            G          D
But the wife of Michael Cleary won't be home again
 
Am
 
C                   G
The stars glint like cleavers
Am                   F  Dm
My love it was only a fever
C                     G
I swear I tried to get clean
Am                         
But it keeps the bats away 
      G              Am
and it keeps the devil nearer
 
Am
 
[Verse]
Am               G      D
And he would look into my eyes
Am                G   D
My two round lapis lazuli
Am                  G     D
Back in our bed he'd set me alight
Am                      G     D
And we'd cast the demons out all night
Am
Til they dowsed the flames by the holy well
G
And the smoke filled up the guilty air
Am
And the village smelt like burning flesh
G
As the changeling was put to rest
Am
And all the ladies shook their heads
G
And bit their lips as they softly said
Am              F           C 
'oh the scandal! oh the mess! 
             G         Am
The wife of Cleary must be dead!'
 
Am
 
C                         G
And the moon gaped like an open mouth
Am                               F        Dm
As we stood in shock to watch the flames die down
C                  G
My baby's safe now, liverpool bound
Am                           G        Am
And I'm safe from hell in the hallowed ground
 
Am
 
C                       G
And the stars glint like cleavers
Am                    F  Dm
My love, it was only a fever
C                     G
I swear I tried to get clean
Am                         
But it keeps the bats away 
      G               Am
and it keeps the devil near