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