Rake
By: Townes Van Zandt
Dm
Well, I used to wake
F
and run with the moon
G
I lived like a rake and a young man
Dm
I covered my lovers
F
with flowers and wounds
G Dm
my laughter the devil would frighten.
F G
The sun, she would come
F Dm
and beat me back down
C Dm
but every cruel day had its nightfall
F G
I'd welcome the stars
F Dm
with wine and guitars
C Dm
full of fire and forgetful
Dm
My body was sharp
F
the dark air clean
G Dm
and outrage my joyful companion
Dm
whisperin' women
F
how sweet did they seem
G Dm
kneelin' for me to command them
F G
And time was like water
F Dm
but I was the sea
C Dm
I wouldn't have noticed it passing
F G
except for the turnin'
F Dm
of night into day
C Dm
and turnin' of day into cursin'
Dm
You look at me now
F Dm
and don't think I don't know
C Dm
what all of your eyes are a sayin'
Dm
Does he want us to believe
F
these ravings and lies
G Dm
they're just tricks that his brain's been a playin'?
F G
A lover of women
F Dm
he can't hardly stand
C Dm
he trembles he's bent and he's broken
F G
I've fallen it's true
F Dm
but I say unto you
C Dm
hold your tongues until after I've spoken
Dm
I was takin' by pride
F
in the pleasures I'd known
G Dm
I laughed and said I'd be forgiven
Dm
but my laughter turned 'round
F Dm
eyes blazin' and said
G Dm
my friend, we're holding a wedding
F G
I buried my face
F Dm
but it spoke once again
C Dm
night to the day we're a bindin'
F Dm
and now the dark air
F Dm
is like fire on my skin
C Dm
and even the moonlight is blinding
