The Rake's Song

The Decemberists

I had entered into a marriage
In the summer of my twenty-first year
And the bells rang for our wedding
Only now do I remember it clear
Alright, alright, alright

No more a rake and no more a bachelor
I was wedded and it whetted my thirst
Until her womb start spilling out babies
Only then did I reckon my curse
Alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright

First came Isaiah with his crinkled little fingers
Then came Charlotte and that wretched girl Dawn
Ugly Myfanwy died on delivery
Mercifully taking her mother along
Alright, alright, alright

What can one do when one is widower
Shamefully saddled with three little pests
All that I wanted was the freedom of a new life
So my burden I began to divest
Alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright

Charlotte I buried after feeding her foxglove
Dawn was easy, she was drowned in the bath
Isaiah fought but was easily bested
Burned his body for incurring my wrath
Alright, alright, alright

And that's how I came your humble narrator
To be living so easy and free
Expect you think that I should be haunted
But it never really bothers me
Alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright


Lyrics submitted by ashleybah

The Rake's Song Lyrics as written by Colin Meloy

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

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The Rake's Song song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    A rake gets married and has children, but longs for the freedom to gather leaves all day long. After his wife dies, he kills his remaining children and regains his freedom

    vondrukeon December 03, 2010   Link

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