Jeff Buckley – I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain lyrics

(T. Buckley)

Originally performed by Tim Buckley in goodbye and hello (1967).
Jeff performed it live in his exhibition for Greetings From Tim Buckley, a tribute concert organized by Hal Willner that took place at St. Ann's Church, New York, on April 26 1991.

I never asked to be your mountain
I never asked to fly
Remember when you came to me
And told me of his lies
You didn't understand my love
You don't know why I try
And the rain was falling on that day
And damn the reason why

The flying pisces sails for time
And tells me of my child
Wrapped in bitter tales and heartache
He begs for just a smile
Oh he never asked to be her mountain
He never asked to fly
And through his eye he comes his love
And tells her not to cry

She says, "your scoundrel father flies
With a dancer called a queen
And with her stolen cards he plays
And laughs, but never wins"
Oh the child dreams to be his hands
In the counting of the rain
But only barren breasts he feels
For her milk will never drain

As I die I can't remember
Where I saw the rain:
Could it be that her laughter
Drove me down again?
Charming dancer will you stop,
Stop and talk to me?
Is there someone else you feel
In your dreams? You will, you see:
In midnight gazes
I've found you far from me
If you lead me on
Please leave me down

Oh flying flying fish
Come and flutter by my door
You can drink my lies
If first you read my eyes
Each one is titled
"i'm drowning back to you"
And I can't swim your waters
And you can't walk my lands
I'm sailing all my sins
And I'm climbing all my fears
And soon now i'll fly

My love is the flower
That lies among the graves
My love is the thousand souls and saints
And all the insane madmen
Tell me I'm not as love behaves
Maybe not in lands of men
That spread my ash along the ways

I wanna feel the titles to me
Like a woman drunken said
I wanna feel the fish swim through me
Let the water tag my skin
Wrapped around the pebble
That you choose to warm your hand
Just as I dream everyday
As I pray you'll understand

I never asked to be your mountain
I never asked to fly
Remember when you came to me
And told me of his lies
You didn't understand my love
You don't know why I try
And the rain was falling on that day
Damn the reason why
Damn the reason why

Sweet lover, will you come back
And love me for a while?
Please take my hand
And leave your fears behind

I've been gone too long
Now I'm home to stay
Don't leave me again this way
Don't leave me again this way
Don't leave me again this way

Please come home.