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Rake Lyrics

Artist: Townes Van Zandt
Album: Delta Momma Blues

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

Comments/Interpretations

by pat mAcdonald on 9/25/2008 11:41am
what an amazing last verse!
great song, but that last verse is pure magic.
these moments are why i've always loved Townes

by Chris Moore on 7/26/2009 6:45pm
The man had a lot to say, I'm sorry I discovered him so late.

by Paul Dougherty on 8/3/2009 4:45pm
every verse in the text is pure magic. it's poetry that would have been considered a classic had it been written by Byron, Blake or any of the others.

by tom on 11/14/2011 11:14pm
the dark hair clean

by violao on 7/17/2013 2:04pm
My body was sharp my dark hair clean he sings surely??