The Bottomless Lake by John Prine - My take on it.

Singing my grandaughter Christina to sleep, 2004.

LYRICS

Here's the story of a man and his family
And a big trip that they took
Well, I heard all about in a restaurant
And I read it in a history book
They rented a car at the Erie Canal
But the car didn't have no brake
Said Ma to Pa "My God this car"
"Is gonna fall into the Bottomless Lake"

Well, Mama turned to Daddy with a pale face
Said "I've done something horribly wrong"
"Well, the water's still runnin' in the bathtub"
And I think I left the kitchen light on"
Then I heard a crash the car went splash
The compass rolled around and around
Oh, for Heaven's Sake! We fell in a lake
And I think we're all gonna drown

Chorus:
We are falling down
Down to the bottom of a hole in the ground
Smoke 'em if you got 'em
I'm so scared I can hardly breathe
I may never see my sweetheart again

There was plenty of food in the backseat
And the windows were rolled up tight
So we all nibbled on a chicken leg
Told stories way thru the night
Well, Pa told one that he told before
And the baby got a bellyache
Said Ma to Pa "My God this car's
Falling down a Bottomless Lake"

Repeat Chorus:

Poppa played the music on the radio
Mama rocked the baby to sleep
He said he would've taken the other road
But he didn't think the lake was that deep
Well, if the ferry'd been there at the end of the pier
We'd be half way to Uncle Jake's
Instead of looking at fish out the window I wish
We'd hit the bottom of the Bottomless Lake
'Stead of looking at fish out the window I wish
We'd hit the bottom of the Bottomless Lake

So if you're ever goin' on a big trip
Ya better be careful out there
Start everything on your good foot
And wear clean underwear
Take along a Bible in the front seat
Read of David and Solomon
For if you make a mistake in the Bottomless Lake
You may never see your sweetheart again
If you should make a mistake in the Bottomless Lake
You may never see your sweetheart again
If you should make a mistake in the Bottomless Lake
You may never see your sweetheart again

Category:

Music

Tags:

• John
• prine
• cover
• bottomless
• lake
• guitar
• me
• playing
• accoustic
• sing
• fun
• 70's
• rock
• folk
• soul
• country
• music
• karaoke
• 60's
• voice
• family
• recreation

[dodohead015]

very nice, soft voice. jp would like this. One of my favorite songs of his. TY for being a good musician!!

[HickintheWoods]

@dodohead015  Thank you very much for the nice comment. Best regards, Hick-in-the-Woods.

[billhodges99]

enjoyed it - keep singing.

[HickintheWoods]

@billhodges99

Thanks a lot. Appreciate that.

[Pacifique]

Love this song and I really like your rendition - nice smooth voice, thanks for this!

[HickintheWoods]

Thanks a lot for your nice comment.

[HickintheWoods]

Thanks. I appreciate that. I'm making a small list of some songs that I was gonna run by you and see if there was anything that you might want to collaborate on. I've had a busy week between work and visiting family. There's no rush anyway. Looking forward to it. Maybe it will get me to start playing again.

[bollie562003]

Love it!!!

[HickintheWoods]

Thanks a lot. My fingers seem to have a mind of their own and I just kind of tag along. I've enjoyed your Prine covers too.

[jordanthecat]

I never thought of this as a fingerpicking song, but you make it work!