I Never Asked To Be Your Mountain
Cover of Tim Buckley
Unreleased
Lyrics:
Oh 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
Please flutter by my door
Yes you can drink my lies
if first you read my eyes
Each one is titled
'i'm drowning back to you'
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

Oh 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 that's the reason why

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

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

Please come home.
Notes:
Originally performed by Jeffs father, 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. As Jeff often bluntly refused to perform his fathers songs in his shows, it is suprising to find that the St Annes show was not the only appearance of a Tim Buckley song. (Jeff played 'Once I Was' by request, on 1995-05-10, Bluebird Theatre, Denver)

'I sang Tim's song 'I Never Asked to Be Your Mountain.' It was about him having to take the gypsy life over a regular one. I'm mentioned in the song, as is his girlfriend at the time - my mom. It's a beautiful song. I both admired it and hated it, so that's what I sang. There are all of these expectations that come with this ''60s offspring' bullshit, but I can't tell you how little he ahd to do with my music. I met him one time when I was eight; other than that, there was nothing. The people who raised me musically are my mother, who is a classically trained pianist, and my stepfather.' -- Jeff Buckley ('Jeff Buckley : Heir Apparent to...', Interview, Ray Rogers, 1994-02)
Known Performances: (showing 1 of Array results)
91-04-26 St. Annes Church, Brooklyn Heights, New York, New York, America