Album: Pogue Mahone

Rake At The Gates Of Hell

(Shane McGowan)
I'll be with them asleep or dreaming
I'll be there when they wake up screaming
At the hour of death I will nurse them
To have a moment more to curse them
Watch the maggots crawl out of them
Hear the angels call above them
Watch them as the cold air sucks them
Down to hell good night good luck
Then if any should escape above me
Beg and cheat until they trust me
Drag them down to be damned with me
Laugh at them as they forgive me
Mothers eyes are sparking diamonds
Still the moon shows no likeness
Roses wither may god deliver
The rake at the gates of hell tonight
I wish that they could walk forever
On the earth alone unfettered
Until they pray for consummation
Until they beg for sweat damnation
Then I'll come and bring them water
Bring them hope, bring them laughter
Raise their hopes both sad and sunken
Slash them up as they lie there drunken
Push them down into the fowl mud
Until they choke up on their own blood
Drag them out before their last breath
To take away the mercy of death
Mothers eyes are sparking diamonds
Still the moon shows no likeness
Roses wither may god deliver
The rake at the gates of hell tonight.