Lungs

by Townes Van Zandt

Well, won't you lend your lungs to me?

Mine are collapsing

Plant my feet and bitterly breathe

up the time that's passing.

Breath I'll take and breath I'll give

pray the day ain't poison

stand among the ones that live

in lonely indecision.

Fingers walk the darkness down

mind is on the midnight

gather up the gold you've found

you fool, it's only moonlight.

If you try to take it home

your hands will turn to butter

You better leave this dream alone

try to find another.

Salvation sat and crossed herself

called the devil partner

wisdom burned upon a shelf

who'll kill the raging cancer

Seal the river at its mouth

take the water prisoner

fill the sky with screams and cries

bathe in fiery answers

Jesus was an only son

and love his only concept

strangers cry in foreign tongues

and dirty up the doorstep

and I for one, and you for two

ai'nt got the time for outside

just keep your injured looks to you

we'll tell the world we tried