The Cremation Of Sam Mcgee

Slow Strumming E F# A B There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold; E F# A B The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold; E F# A B The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see E B E B E F# B Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge I cremated Sam McGee. Main Strumming E F# A B Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows. E F# A B Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows. E F# A B He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell; E B E B E F# B Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell." E F# A B And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow E F# A B And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe, E F# A B He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess; E B E B E F# B And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request." E F# A B Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan: E B A B "It's the cursèd cold, and it's got right hold till I'm chilled clean through to the bone. E F# A B Yet 'tain't being dead—it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains; E B E B E F# B So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains." E F# A B A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail; E F# A B And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale. E F# A B He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee; E B E B E F# B And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee. E F# A B Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay; E F# A B It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May." E F# A B And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum; E B E B E F# B Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum." E F# A B Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire; E F# A B Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher; E F# A B The flames just soared, and the furnace roared—such a blaze you seldom see; E B E B E F# B And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee. E F# A B I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear; E F# A B But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near; E F# A B I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside. E B E B E F# B I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; ... then the door I opened wide. E F# A B And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar; E F# A B And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door. E F# A B It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm— E B E B E F# B Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm." Slow Strumming E B E B E F# B Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."