Song That I Know Songtext
von Joe Henry

I bring in the mail and climb up a tree
To hang out my clothes, and I′ve hidden a key
That might let you in and then out beyond me
As ever the weather may climb
Your choir of souvenir carnival toys
They shake me awake with a deafening noise
Of silence that speaks like the end of my voice
When the song I know leaves me behind


Oh, Absalom, Absalom, what do you say?
My horses refuse all this work without pay
I plied them with beads and I've gambled that they
Knew nothing of how we live free
Oh, I′ve worn this cape since the dawning of time
Since long before Easter put blood in our wine
But here at the station, they keep me in line
As the song I know sings without me

Now, here come the tramps from the river below
With the fire that they made in their hats as they go
Fuming and seizing the day, though I know
How rarely we find our way home
Even winners get taken apart in their rooms
As cities burn down by the big harvest moon
That rolls through the streets like a birthday balloon
But the song that I know
Carries on