Built to Spill - Jokerman lyrics

Standing on the waters casting your bread
While the eyes of the idol with
The iron head are glowing
Distant ships sailing into the mist
You were born with a snake in both of
Your fists while a hurricane was blowing
Freedom just around the corner for you
But with the truth so far off
What good will it do?

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman
So swiftly the sun sets in the sky
You rise up and say goodbye to no one
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
Both of their futures, so full of dread
You don't show one
Shedding off one more layer of skin
Keeping one step ahead of
The persecutor within

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

You're a man of the mountains
You can walk on the clouds
Manipulator of crowds, you're a dream twister
You're going to Sodom and Gomorrah
But what do you care? Ain't nobody there
Would want to marry your sister
Friend to the martyr
A friend to the woman of shame
You look into the fiery furnace
See the rich man without any name

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

Well, the Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy
The law of the jungle and the
Sea are your only teachers
In the smoke of the twilight
On a milk-white steed
Michelangelo indeed could've carved
Out your features resting in the fields
Far from the turbulent space
Half asleep near the stars with a
Small dog licking your face
Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh oh oh jokerman

Well, the rifleman's stalking the
Sick and the lame
Preacherman seeks the same
Who'll get there first is uncertain
Nightsticks and water cannons, tear gas
Padlocks molotov cocktails and rocks
Behind every curtain
False hearted judges dying in the
Webs that they spin
Only a matter of time 'til
Night comes steppin' in

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman

It's a shadowy world, skies are slippery gray
A woman just gave birth to a prince
Today and dressed him in scarlet
He'll put the priest in his pocket
Put the blade to the heat
Take the motherless children off the street
And place them at the feet of a harlot
Oh, Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh, Jokerman, you don't show any response

Jokerman dance to the nightingale tune
Bird fly high by the light of the moon
Oh, oh, oh, Jokerman