Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird
Rats
All hands above the deck
We're ridin' on a wreck
Don't believe a word about the weather
There ain't no sight of land
& no one's in command
So brothers grow some gills, the water's here
You can raise the banner high
Up to the crimson sky
It'll only reach the sea a little slower
The moon will see the last
Of the mighty wooden mast
As it rides the belly down into the sea
& THE SKY HAS TURNED THE COLOR
Of THE COLOR
OF THE BLOOD
WITH THE MORNING BARELY BROKE
ABOVE THE SEA
& THE NIGHT HAS BEEN THE COLOR
Of THE COMING
Of THE FLOOD
WHICH IS FILLING
UP THE BELLY
UNDER YOU
& UNDER ME
The captain is blind
He doesn't know the time
He probably doesn't know the ship is sinking
The rats are first to go
They sneak into the flow
But drown if they can't swim back to the shore
& you my dearest mate
Just finish up your plate
They've already distributed the poison
For the rats who choose to stay
Won't live to see the day
They'll ride the belly down into the sea
& THE SKY HAS TURNED THE COLOR
Of THE COLOR
OF THE BLOOD
WITH THE MORNING BARELY BROKE
ABOVE THE SEA
& THE NIGHT HAS BEEN THE COLOR
Of THE COMING
Of THE FLOOD
WHICH IS FILLING
UP THE BELLY
UNDER YOU
& UNDER ME
So finish up the rum
Yes drink until it's done
The barrels only float when they are empty
Cast away your greed
But take what you may need
A blade to cut the muscle from the bone
The preacher he will stay
He'll bow his head & pray
We all should beg of heaven now for mercy
But nobody will hear
It's someone else who steers
This rotten belly down into the sea
& THE SKY HAS TURNED THE COLOR
Of THE COLOR
OF THE BLOOD
WITH THE MORNING BARELY BROKE
ABOVE THE SEA
& THE NIGHT HAS BEEN THE COLOR
Of THE COMING
Of THE FLOOD
WHICH IS FILLING
UP THE BELLY
UNDER YOU
& UNDER ME
& THE SKY HAS been THE COLOR
Of THE COLOR
OF THE BLOOD
WITH THE MORNING BARELY BROKE
ABOVE THE SEA
& THE NIGHT HAS BEEN THE COLOR
Of THE COMING
Of THE FLOOD
WHICH IS FILLING
UP THE BELLY
UNDER YOU
& UNDER ME