Skip to main content

card tricks

June, 2004

I wouldn’t change the rain, not even if I could,
you can stay the same, too, as if you ever would,

take these tatters that I wear,
and weave a blanket with your hair,
I will sleep beneath it soundly when the day’s done..

I wouldn’t change your name, I like the sound of it,
a name is just a sound that somehow seems to fit,

I’ll take the stories that you tell,
throw them down a wishing well,
so I may dream about you fondly when the day’s done..

all the anger that I keep hidden up my conjurer’s sleeve,
I have turned to colored scarves,
doves appear and disappear,
my old friend and deepest fear:
wondering if the world is pleased
with these few card tricks that I know?..

I tried to change the world, but I made a mess of it,
I had to beg the rain, please, to wash it clean again,

take the armor that I forged,
and melt it down into a porch swing,
I’ll swing with you at twilight when the day’s done,

all the anger that I keep hidden up my conjurer’s sleeve,
I have turned to colored scarves,
doves appear and disappear,
my old friend and deepest fear:
wondering if the world is pleased
with these few card tricks that I know..

take the armor that I forged,
and melt it down into a porch swing,
I’ll swing with you at twilight..
and take the stories that you tell,
throw them down a wishing well,
so I may dream about you fondly..

take these tatters that I wear,
and weave a blanket with your hair,
I’ll sleep beneath it soundly when the day’s done..
soundly when the day’s done…

Notes:

Ab (G, capo 1)