Behind the Dark Meaning of “Lake Marie” by John Prine

John Prine’s songs have a sobering truth to them that some could consider dark. However, there is only one song of his that is truly haunting: “Lake Marie.” Across this song, Prine tells several stories about the namesake body of water. From its origins, to his own tales of love, to murder, this song has it all. Uncover the meaning behind this track, below.

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Behind the Dark Meaning of “Lake Marie” by John Prine

Many years ago along the Illinois-Wisconsin border
There was this Indian tribe
They found two babies in the woods, white babies
One of them was named Elizabeth

They named the larger and more beautiful lake, Lake Elizabeth
And thus the smaller lake that was hidden from the highway
Became known forever as Lake Marie

Prine got the idea for this song after visiting Lake Marie after a long spell of not seeing the Illinois landmark. He got to thinking about the origins of the name and thought it apt to put it to song. That’s the crux behind the first verse of this narrative song.

Prine tells us how Lake Marie got its name. It’s a fabled story that has an air of mystery around it. It sets the tone for the remainder of this unsettling track.

Many years later, I found myself talking to this girl
Who was standing there with her back turned to Lake Marie
The wind was blowing especially through her hair
There was four Italian sausages cooking on the outdoor grill
And they was s-s-sizzlin’
Many years later we found ourselves in Canada
Trying to save our marriage and perhaps catch a few fish
Whatever came first

The second verse is more introspective. Prine thinks about his own time at the lake–and other similar places–putting himself at the center of this story.

“The second verse about meeting a girl and the Italian sausages cooking, that was kind of autobiographical,” Prine once said. “Me and my high school sweetheart, we used to go to Crystal Lake and Lake Marie, the chain of lakes, you know? So did everybody else. We used to go there on weekends and have picnics.”

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The third verse is where things take a dark turn. Prine was inspired by unsolved murders in the area. The dogs were barking as the cars were parking / The loan sharks were sharking, the narcs were narcing, he sings. It adds a morose edge to this track that isn’t typically found in a Prine offering.

Revisit this track, below.

The dogs were barking as the cars were parking
The loan sharks were sharking, the narcs were narcing
Practically everyone was there
In the parking lot by the forest preserve
The police had found two bodies
Nay, naked bodies!

We were standing
Standing by peaceful waters
Standing by peaceful waters

(Photo by Anthony Pidgeon/Redferns)