Gordon Lightfoot

Too Late For Prayin

Gordon Lightfoot


Tom: Am

C          F                 Gsus4     G       C
It was only yesterday when I heard the teacher say
Em                            F              Dm7       G       Em
Patiently, "One and two makes three" We were children, you and me
       Am              F                  Gsus4    G    C   G
Let us pray... for the ones they call the children of today

[Verse 1]
C                Em        F               C
Nothing left but promises, nothing much is certain
C      C/B    Am       Am/G    D/F#
All we see is want and need across the board.
    G/F
Why thank you, Lord

[Chorus]
      C             F             Gsus4 G
We're living in the glory of your care
E                  Am  C/G    D/F#                  G
Skies of blue have all turned brown to the sound of sighing
G/F     C           E7       Am   C/G D/F#
Lord, abide; let us stem the tide of broken dreams
   G/F                C                F Gsus4 G       C       G
Sometimes you seem to tell us it's too late        for praying

[Verse 2]
C             Em             F                   C
See the ocean wild and blue; think of all that's in her
C        C/B    Am    Am/G    D/F#
She will not surrender to the likes of us
    G/F
But then she must.

[Chorus]
      C                F             Gsus4 G
They tell us, wise men tell us it's too late
E                   Am   C/G  D/F#                        G
For each child with eyes that smile, there'll be ten more cryin'
G/F     C           E7       Am   C/G D/F#
Lord, abide; let us stem the tide of helplessness
   G/F                   C                F Gsus4 G    C
But then, I guess, we're livin'. Is it too late    for tryin'?

[Instrumental]
Am F Gsus4 G C
Em F Gsus4 G

[Verse 3]
C                Em              F                  C
Nothing here but grains of sand; nothin' much worth savin'
C           C/B     Am       Am/G   D/F#
Guess we've all got problems of our own to bear
    G/F
And still we share.

[Chorus]
C                  F             Gsus4 G
Tomorrow could get better than today
E                Am  C/G D/F#                G
To the ones who loved in vain, will you be beholden?
G/F     C           E7       Am   C/G D/F#
Lord, abide; let us stem the tide of broken dreams
   G/F                C                F Gsus4 G  C       G
Sometimes you seem to tell us it's too late for   prayin'

[Outro]
Em F Gsus4 G C
Em F Dm7 G
Em Am F Gsus4 G C