Van Zandt, Townes - Rake Lyrics






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 it's 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





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Van Zandt, Townes Rake Comments
  1. R.... P....

    My God, this guy was as masterful with words, and song, as anyone. Anyone..

  2. R.... P....

    Genius.

  3. J.... L....

    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.

  4. V.... B....

    I got her thanks to Ruby Throat

  5. e.... ....

    Here is a great live version. Without the schmaltzy and distracting background orchestration, the greatness really shines through: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPxz_4wIa4g

  6. K.... S....

    And now we have "baby baby ohhhhh"

  7. T.... L....

    Greatest songwriter of all time

    T.... L....

    you got that right

  8. W.... S....

    Word for word he just described my depressing drunken life. If i wasnt sober now i wouldnt be able to stand listening to this song.

  9. C.... K....

    The 🐐

  10. s.... ....

    how great he is

  11. b.... s....

    This is so pure , music at it's best , awesome man awesome .

  12. D.... C....

    Townes's songs and the language he uses seems to come from an age way before the 60's or70s. This song makes me nostalgic for a time I never lived in, but it feels so real. He's definitely got a magic touch

    D.... C....

    Lyrically he's got more in common with Lord Byron than Bob Dylan.

  13. J.... P....

    a love song for vampires

  14. D.... R....

    Townes...thanks man...Steve Earle was/is right...better than Dylan. Close though. I think Townes speaks directly to my soul. It's personal .Dylan doesn't do that for me so often as Townes.

    D.... R....

    Dave Rees Townes was exactly what Dylan wanted to be.

    D.... R....

    Dave Rees just told

    D.... R....

    You’re not listening to the right Dylan songs then

    D.... R....

    It ain't a fucking contest. ...but if it was, Townes gets all the points. "It's Aright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" by Bob Dylan may be the smartest song ever written but pretty much any song by Townes has more pure soul and spiritual impact. It speaks directly to you and elevates your humanity. Townes' spirit will never be matched.

    D.... R....

    Damn right. Townes is severely underrated. Pissed off that Earle retracted his comment over the years. I've listened to a lot of Dylan, both the few best and the overrated mediocre stuff. He's a hyped up asshole who personally believes it. Hope Steve never makes a Dylan record when Bob passes. He'll do a better job singing it though...

  15. C.... J....

    Absolutely beautiful poetry. This guy was amazing.

    C.... J....

    Yes indeed....

  16. A.... N....

    ''..And now the dark air is like fire on my skin
    And even the moonlight is blinding..''

  17. S.... ....

    Life without Townes,... We are the lucky few.

  18. b.... ....

    My body was sharp, my hair clean and outrage my joy for companion...

    b.... ....

    My body was sharp, the dark air clean, and outrage my joyful companion.

  19. E.... S....

    Only 3,184 views? I guess people don't like REAL music.

    E.... S....

    It's got 47,000 views now, and the other upload is closing in on 900,000.
    Bout 1,000,000 views put together.
    People like real music.

  20. M.... ....

    fuck fireballs,, this is magic..