Now playing

Rake

Chords

5.0120 votes

Listen

YouTubeYouTube SpotifySpotify AppleApple Music

Cmajor

90BPM

Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

[Intro]
Dm Dm F F G G Dm Dm Dm Dm
[Verse]
DmI used to wake and Frun with the moon
I Glived like a rake and a young Dmman
I covered my lovers with Fflowers and wounds
My Glaughter the devil would Dmfrighten
The Fsun she would cGome and Fbeat me back Dmdown
But Cevery cruel day had its Dmnightfall
I'd Fwelcome the stGars with Fwine and guiDmtars
 CFull of fire and forDmgetful
[Verse]
DmMy body was sharp the Fdark air clean
And Goutrage my joyful compaDmnion
Whisperin' women how Fsweet did they seem
GKneelin' for me to comDmmand them
And Ftime was like Gwater but FI was the Dmsea
I Cwouldn't noticed it Dmpassin'
ExFcept for the Gturnin' of Fnight into Dmday
And the Cturnin' of day into Dmcursin'
[Verse]
DmWell you look at me now, Fdon't think I don't know
What Gall your eyes are a saDmyin'
Does he want us to believe these Fravings and lies
They're jGust tricks that his brains been a Dmplayin'
A Flover of Gwomen he Fcan't hardly Dmstand
He Ctrembles he's bent and he's brDmoken
I've Ffallen it's Gtrue but FI say to Dmyou
Hold your Ctongues until after I've Dmspoken
[Instrumental]
F F G G Dm Dm
[Verse]
DmI was takin' my pride in the Fpleasures I'd known
I Glaughed and said I'll be forDmgiven
But my laughter turned 'round eyes Fblazing and said
My Gfriend, we're holdin' a wedDmding
I Fburied my fGace but it Fspoke once aDmgain
The Cnight to the day we're a Dmbindin'
And Fnow the dark Gair is like Ffire on my Dmskin
And Ceven the moonlight is Dmblinding
And Fnow the dark Gair is like Ffire on my Dmskin
And Ceven the moonlight is Dmblinding

All chords in this song (4)

🎸 Tips from players

Got a tip for playing this song — capo position, easier chords, strumming? Be the first to share one.

Chord Book

670,000+ free guitar chords · free-chords.com

Rake

by Townes Van Zandt

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

[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

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

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'

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

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

And even the moonlight is blinding

About Rake Chords by Townes Van Zandt

Learn how to play Rake by Townes Van Zandt with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Rake chords”, “Rake guitar chords”, or “Townes Van Zandt Rake chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Rake chords and for experienced players who want accurate Rake lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include Dm, F, G, C, A.

FAQ — Rake by Townes Van Zandt

How do I play "Rake" by Townes Van Zandt on guitar?

Open the free chords for "Rake" by Townes Van Zandt on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "Rake" by Townes Van Zandt free?

Yes. The chords for "Rake" by Townes Van Zandt are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "Rake" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Rake" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Rake"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Rake" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Rake" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Rake" by Townes Van Zandt with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Townes Van Zandt below.

What key is "Rake" in?

The chords for "Rake" show the original chord names (including Dm, F, G, C, A). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.