Shawn James - The Rake (Live)

(originally by Townes Van Zandt)

[Intro]
Dm Fmaj7 G G7 G6 Dm
Dm Fmaj7 G G7 G6 Dm

[Verse 1]
Dm Fmaj7
I used to wake and run with the moon
G G7 G6 Dm
I lived like a rake and a young man
Dm Fmaj7
I covered my lovers with flowers and wounds
G G7 G6 Dm
my laughter the devil would frighten

[Chorus]
Fmaj7 G C Dm
The sun she would come and beat me back down
C Dm
but every cruel day had its nightfall
Fmaj7 G C Dm
I’d welcome the stars with wine and guitars
C Dm
full of fire and forgetful

[Verse 2]
Dm Fmaj7
My body was sharp my dark hair clean
G G7 G6 Dm
and outrage my joyful companion
Dm Fmaj7
whisperin’ women how sweet did they seem
G G7 G6 Dm
kneelin’ for me to command them

[Chorus]
Fmaj7 G C Dm
And time was like water but I was the sea
C Dm
I woulden’t have noticed it passin’
Fmaj7 G C Dm
except for the turnin’ of night into day
C Dm
and the turnin’ of day into cursin

[Verse 3]
Dm Fmaj7
You look at me now, and don’t think I don’t know
G G7 G6 Dm
what all your eyes are a sayin’
Dm Fmaj7
Does he want us to believe these ravings and lies
G G7 G6 Dm
they’re just tricks that his brains been a playin’?

[Chorus]
Fmaj7 G C Dm
A lover of women he can’t hardly stand
C Dm
he trembles he’s bent and he’s broken
Fmaj7 G C Dm
I’ve fallen it’s true but I say to you
C Dm
hold your tongues until after I’ve spoken

[Verse 4]
Dm Fmaj7
I was takin’ my pride in the pleasures I’d known
G G7 G6 Dm
I laughed and thought I’d be forgiven
Dm Fmaj7
but my laughter turned ’round eyes blazing and
G G7 G6 Dm
said friend, we’re holdin’ a wedding

[Chorus]
Fmaj7 G C Dm
I buried my face but it spoke once again
C Dm
the night to the day we’re a bindin’
Fmaj7 G C Dm
and now the dark air is like fire on my skin
C Dm
and even the moonlight is blinding
Fmaj7 G C Dm
and now the dark air is like fire on my skin
C Dm
and even the moonlight is blinding