Lyric Rake

by Townes Van Zandt
Proofread and authorized by Jeanene Van Zandt


I used to wake and run with the moon
I lived like a rake and a young man
I covered my lovers with flowers and wounds
my laughter the devil would frighten
The sun she would come and beat me back down
but every cruel day had its nightfall
I d welcome the stars with wine and guitars
full of fire and forgetful


My body was sharp the dark air clean
and outrage my joyful companion
whisperin women how sweet did they seem
kneelin for me to command them
And time was like water but I was the sea
I d have never noticed it passin
except for the turnin of night into day
and the turnin of day into cursin


You look at me now, and don t think I don t know
what all your eyes are a sayin
Does he want us to believe these ravings and lies
they re just tricks that his brains been a playin ?
A lover of women he can t hardly stand
he trembles he s bent and he s broken
I ve fallen it s true but I say unto you
hold your tongues until after I ve spoken


I was takin my pride in the pleasures I d known
I laughed and thought I d be forgiven
but my laughter turned round eyes blazing and
said my friend, we re holdin a wedding
I buried my face but it spoke once again
the night to the day we re a bindin
and now the dark air is like fire on my skin
and even the moonlight is blinding