I did the best I could to lay out the chord changes to make the downbeats
visible. It's in a triple meter, and hopefully with a couple listenings you
should be able to figure out how the chords fit the lyrics in all the verses.
Verse:
D G
The sweetest labor that my heart has known
D A D
is the farm on which I stand.
D G
‘Cause every single seed that’s been sown
D A D
was put in the ground by my hand and
G D
some - times the sun goes down a little too soon
D A
be - fore the day’s work is through
G D
and I keep on going by the light of the moon when
D A D
I’d rather be home with you
[ Tab from: https://www.guitartabs.cc/tabs/w/william_elliott_whitmore/porchlight_crd.html ]
Chorus:
D
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
A D
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
D G
I come home from the field when it’s too dark to see.
D A D
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Verse:
I can barely stand up, there’s more to be done. Oh, the bottom field needs to be plowed.
I never asked help from anyone, but Lord I can use some now.
Just give me the strength to make it back home when I can’t work no more,
and Lord let her be the first thing I see when I crawl through that front door.
Chorus:
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
To light my way back from the night so black
would you leave the porch light on for me?
Verse:
Well I’m sick as a dog and no one can help. Oh, the pain’s more than I can bear,
but still my thoughts drift to the one sweet gift: the love that we share,
and I hate for you to see me like this. Oh, remember when I was strong.
If I didn’t have these IVs in my wrist well, I’d hold you in my arms.
Chorus:
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
This hospital bed is where I’ve to be.
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Verse:
They say that I ain’t got long for this life Oh, they say that it’s my time to go.
Darling, you’ve been the most wonderful wife that any man could know.
Well you stuck by me through thick and through thin since the day you became my bride,
and someday I’ll hope to see you again when we meet on the other side.
Chorus:
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Even though just a memory is all that I’ll be.
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
Even though just a memory is all that I'll be....
Would you leave the porch light on for me?
