Tom Waits

I met you in the saddle
rode you in the dust
held your hand to the heavens
pulled your heart to the earth
there was something that
blinded me more than the mist
the breath of the cottonwood
buds lighter yet

you rode the maypole of dance hall legs
galloped to another's embrace
I bit the flowers from your wrist corsage
you waltzed too slowly
too slowly you waltzed
with that girl from Widow's Grove

oh I'd follow you to the river
that washes out to the sea
through the wind through
the rain of a cold dark night
that's where I'll be

near the breath of a swallow
petals dropped as you fell
you grabbed me then shyly
held me against the stone cold well
in your hand was a glass
you held the ice against the night
it dripped and it sparkled
I laughed a wish

before it all slipped down
the dark tunneled well
I heard it melt quietly
I looked at you
bent to the earth with
just one pleading wish
your skirts brushed to
the furious pounding

I'd follow you to the river
that washes out to the sea
through the wind through
the rain of a cold dark night
that's where I'll be

I hid in the elm and raised the bough
that hung even with your neck
I chased you and drowned you
there deep in the well
when your mouth was full and wet
I swallowed all your reckless fate
with your last breath
you moaned too drunk to wake

I'd follow you to the river
that washes out to the sea
through the wind through
the rain of a cold dark night
that's where I'll be