Here on my Emmylou Harris Beneath Still Waters page you'll find the lyrics to this song, a free pdf chords and lyrics sheet along with tutorial demos and a link to purchase full lessons in .mp4 format.
Beneath Still Waters was written back in 1967 by Dallas Frazier and first recorded by George Jones the following year. Also in 1968 country artist Carl Vaughn used the song as a B-side to one of his singles.
Australian singer Diana Trask also put the song into the top 40 with her rendition back in 1970.
In 1980, Emmylou Harris put the song on her album Blue Kentucky Girl. The song was the 2nd single released from that album and it went to #1 in both the US and Canada. It was her fourth #1 to date at that time.
The B-side to this song was one on my Emmylou Harris songs page called Til I Gain Control Again.
Beneath still waters - there's a strong undertow
The surface won't tell you - what the deep water knows
Darling I'm saying - I know something's wrong
Beneath still waters - your love is gone
Even a fool could see - that you'll soon be leaving me
But each - and every heart - must take its turn at misery
And this time it's me - and I'll cry alone
Beneath still waters - your love is gone
Even a fool could see - that you'll soon be leaving me
But each - and every heart - must take its turn at misery
And this time it's me - and I'll cry alone
Beneath still waters - your love is gone
Beneath still waters - your love is gone
Beneath still waters - your love is gone
As you'll see when you watch this demo, the rhythm is a pretty standard country strum found in many songs. You're basically playing a root up down up and then a bass up down up. I'm playing here with Drop D tuning which for those who may not know, it's your top string tuned down two frets to the E note. This gives that D chord a fuller sound by being able to play all six strings.
And as you move between chords you can use standard bass runs which once you know those, you'll find yourself using them in plenty of old country and bluegrass songs especially.
Although not necessary, you'll often find when playing songs solo that there is usually some sort of break in the song that you'll need to fill in with one guitar. Usually with a song like this it could be a fiddle or a steel guitar. In the clip at the bottom of the page where they are playing this one live you'll see the acoustic guitar player taking the full break. In the original recording from 1973 there was an electric lead guitar taking the part.
Thanks for stopping by this Emmylou Harris Beneath Still Waters page and I hope the information found here was helpful.