Rake chords by Townes Van Zandt

Artist: Townes van Zandt
Song: Rake
Time: 3/4
Album Version: Be Here to Love Me

Intro:
Dm Dm F F G G Dm Dm Dm Dm

Verse:
Dm                 F
I used to wake and run with the moon
  G                             Dm
I lived like a rake and a young man
                         F
I covered my lovers with flowers and wounds
   G                        Dm
My laughter the devil would frighten
    F              G       F            Dm
The sun she would come and beat me back down
    C                       Dm
But every cruel day had its nightfall
    F             G        F           Dm
I'd welcome the stars with wine and guitars
C                    Dm
 Full of fire and forgetful

Verse:
Dm                    F
My body was sharp the dark air clean
    G                      Dm
And outrage my joyful companion
                     F
Whisperin' women how sweet did they seem
G                     Dm
Kneelin' for me to command them
    F             G         F         Dm
And time was like water but I was the sea
  C                   Dm
I wouldn't noticed it passin'
  F            G          F          Dm
Except for the turnin' of night into day
        C                   Dm
And the turnin' of day into cursin'

Verse:
Dm                       F
Well you look at me now, don't think I don't know
     G                     Dm
What all your eyes are a sayin'
                                 F
Does he want us to believe these ravings and lies
         G                                 Dm
They're just tricks that his brains been a playin'
  F        G        F            Dm
A lover of women he can't hardly stand
   C                             Dm
He trembles he's bent and he's broken
     F           G        F        Dm
I've fallen it's true but I say to you
          C                        Dm
Hold your tongues until after I've spoken

Instrumental:
F F G G Dm Dm

Verse:
Dm                           F
I was takin' my pride in the pleasures I'd known
  G                           Dm
I laughed and said I'll be forgiven
                                   F
But my laughter turned 'round eyes blazing and said
   G                          Dm
My friend, we're holdin' a wedding
  F          G          F           Dm
I buried my face but it spoke once again
    C                        Dm
The night to the day we're a bindin'
    F            G           F          Dm
And now the dark air is like fire on my skin
    C                     Dm
And even the moonlight is blinding
    F            G           F          Dm
And now the dark air is like fire on my skin
    C                     Dm