Coreys Coming

Corey’s Coming (short version) Words and Music by Harry Chapin (capo 5th fret) - / - -   - - (9) Old John Joseph was a man with two first names They left him in the railroad yard when they took away the trains    And only one run a week comes on roarin’ down that line So all he’s got to worry about is time I come by in the evening to hear ’bout where he’s been He says come on sit down kid where shall I begin He starts telling me the stories and the glories of his past But he always saves the story of his Corey for the last     And he says my Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl?      And like I told you when she holds you She enfolds you in her world - / - - - - I was quite surprised to find out all the places that he knew So I asked the town’s folk if his stories were true     Well they said old John was born here he’s lived here all his life He’s never had a woman let alone a wife And very soon you’ll find out as you check around That no one named Corey’s ever lived in this town I chided the the old man about the truth that I had heard Well he smiled and said reality is only just a word       Can’t you see my Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl? And like I told you when she holds you She enfolds you in her world I came by one evening but he did not hear my shout I looked in the window and I saw the fire was out When he would not wake up I forced in the door And I found that old John Joseph would tell stories........ no more The scene at the graveyard just three of us were there Me and the grave digger we heard the parson’s prayer N.C. He said we need not grieve for this man For we know that God cares They put the cold dirt over him and left me on my own When at last I looked up I saw I was not alone      So I said if you’re a relative he had a peaceful end That’s when she said my name is Corey                   You can say I’m just a friend Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl?                   And like I told you when she holds you She enfolds you in her world                      So that’s the old man’s story I’m glad you came tonight You see a busted down old railroad yard sure makes a lonely sight     You may wonder why a young man would work out here alone Well the job pays enough to keep some flesh on my bones And I confess I get to missing the old man a bit And there’s one other reason I guess I could admit                Can’t you see my Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl?     And like he told me when she holds me She enfolds me in her world              (Long Version Extension) - / - - - - I was quite surprised to find out all the places that he knew So I asked the townfolk if his stories were true     They said Old John was born here he’s lived here all his life He never had a woman let alone a wife And very soon you’ll find out as you check around That no one named Corey’s ever lived in this town So I chided the old man about the truth that I had heard He smiled and said reality is only just a word      Can’t you see my Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl?      And like I told you when she holds you She enfolds you in her world I came by one evening but he did not hear my shout I looked in the window and I saw the fire was out When he would not wake up I forced in the door And I found that old John Joseph would tell stories........ no more The scene at the graveyard just three of us were there Me and the grave digger we heard the parson’s prayer N.C. He said we need not grieve for this man For we know that God cares They put the cold dirt over him and left me on my own When at last I looked up I saw I was not alone      Standing there in silence with a shawl around her head Was a beautiful young woman I remember what she said Is that John Joseph there?         I nodded my head yes That brought a soft smile from her                     She said it’s time he got some rest So I said if you’re a relative he had a peaceful end That’s when she said my name is Corey                    You could say I’m just a friend Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl?     And like I told you when she holds you She enfolds you in her world - / - - - - So that’s the old man’s story I’m glad you came tonight You see a busted down old railroad yard sure makes a lonely site      You may wonder why a young man would work out here alone The job pays enough to keep some flesh on my bones And I confess I get to missing the old man a bit Yes there’s one other reason I guess I could admit                   Corey’s coming no more sad stories coming My midnight moonlight morning glory’s coming aren’t you girl?     And like he told me when she holds you She enfolds me in her world - / - -