Townes Van Zandt
Rake/Flying Shoes/ Marie
[Rake]
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 nеver noticed it passin’
Except for thе 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

[Flyin’ Shoes]
Days full of rain, sky's comin’ down again
I get so tired of these same old blues, same old song
Baby, it won’t be long ‘fore I be tyin’ on my flyin’ shoes
Flyin’ shoes, till I be tyin’ on my flyin’ shoes

Spring only sighed, summer had to be satisfied
Fall is a feelin’ that I just can’t lose
I’d like to stay maybe watch a winter day
Turn the green water to white and blue
Flyin’ shoes, flyin’ shoes
Till I be tyin’ on my flyin’ shoes
The mountain moon forever sets too soon
Bein’ alone is all the hills can do
Alone and then her silver sails again
And they will follow in their flyin’ shoes, flyin’ shoes
They will follow in their flyin’ shoes

Days full of rain sky’s comin’ down again
I get so tired of the same old blues, same old song
Baby, it won’t be long till I be tyin’ on my flyin’ shoes
Flyin’ shoes, till I be tyin’ on my flyin’ shoes

[Marie]
I stood in line and left my name
Took about six hours or so
The man just grinned like it was all a game
Said they’d let me know

I put in my time till the Pocono line
Shut down two years ago
I was staying at the mission till I met Marie
Now I can’t stay there no more

Fella ’cross town said he’s lookin’ for a man
To move some old cars around
Maybe me and Marie could find a burned-out
Van and do a little settlin’ down
But I’m just dreamin’, I ain’t got no ride
And the junkyard’s a pretty good ways
That job’s about a half week old besides
It’d be gone now anyway

Unemployment said I got no more checks
And they showed me to the hall
My brother died in Georgia some time ago
I got no one left to call

Summer wasn’t bad below the bridge
A little short on food that’s all
Now I gotta get Marie some kind of coat
We’re headed down into fall

I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
Used to hustle up a little dough
But I got drunk and I woke up rolled
A couple of months ago

They got my harp and they got my dollar
Them low life so and so’s
Harps cost money and I ain’t got it
It’s my own fault I suppose

The Pocono’s down but the Chesapeak’s runnin’
Two freights everyday
If it was just me I’d be headed south
But Marie can’t catch no train

She’s got some pain and she thinks it’s a baby
Says we gotta wait and see
In my heart I know it’s a little boy
Hope he don’t end up like me

Well, the man’s still grinnin’ says he lost my file
I gotta stand in line again
I want to kill him but I just say no
I had enough of that line my friend

I head back to the bridge, it’s getting kinda cold
I’m feelin’ too low down to lie
I guess I’ll just tell Marie the truth
Hope she don’t break down and cry

Marie she didn’t wake up this morning
She didn’t even try
She just rolled over and went to heaven
My little boy safe inside

I laid them in the sun where somebody’d find them
Caught a Chesapeak on the fly
Marie will know I’m headed south
So’s to meet me by and by

Marie will know I’m headed south
So to meet me by and by