From the recordings Apple & Setser / WAVE and Rake And The Rambling Blade / WAVE
Rake and the Rambling Blade (2:51)
(Public Domain)
Mid-tempo, high-lonesome, gritty-bluegrass/folk/roots ISRC: USCGH2222635
Brad Apple - Lead vocals, Acoustic guitar, Acoustic bass
Pam Setser - Harmony vocals
David Johnson - Fiddle, Resonator Guitar
Sam Cobb - Mandolin
A cautionary tale about changing harmful behaviors before you die. The main character rambled about gambling, cheating, stealing, and breaking women's hearts throughout his life. He died alone, with no friends and only enemies. Sultry strings intertwine with close harmonies to give the track a foreboding sound.
Lyrics
Rake and The Rambling Blade
I am a rake and a restless one From the eastern shores I’ve went, I’ve come To learn my books, to learn my trade Some call me the rake and the rambling blade
I came here spendin money free
a spendin’ money at balls and plays At last my money grew very low And so to robbing I did go
I robbed old Nelson, I do declare
I robbed him on Saint James’ square I robbed him of five thousand pounds Dividing with my comrades ‘round
There’s many a lady who’ll for me weep Many a lady who for me cares Pretty Nelly weeps tears down her hair The lady left in the dark despair
And when I’m dead and laid away And a final funeral’s preached o’er my head All around my grave play tunes of joy Sing, “away goes the rake and the rambling boy.”
(Public Domain)