Modern Mystic
[Capo 1]
Em Am C B7
Em Am
Well, I’m a modern sort of mystic and a little solipsistic,
C B7
And I guess it’s true, I sometimes go too far.
Em Am
You can tell me I’m a liar -- I won’t question your desires,
C B7
I just wish I knew exactly what they are.
Em Am
Hear the roll of distant thunder; pick me up and put me under,
C B7
Just be careful with those claws so I don’t scar.
Em Am
I can’t promise you’re not dreaming -- can you swear that I’m not screaming
C B7 Em
Now before you press my back up to the bar?
Em Am
I have lived in several ages, danced across the world’s pages,
C B7
Scrawled my name upon the path of passing time;
Em Am
I’ve lost friends and I’ve left lovers, taking eons to discover
C B7
There are agonies that distance can’t refine.
Em Am
Give me shelter from the rainfall, give me courage for the cast call;
C B7
Teach me every cue and feed me every line.
Em Am
All those things that you aren’t saying are the things I’m not obeying --
C B7 Em
If you ask me to be yours I won’t decline.
Em Am
Well, I’m a witch without a spellbook; I’m just searching for a kind look
C B7
And a gentle word to get me through the night.
Em Am
Wrap me up in chains; confuse me, cut, confound and then abuse me;
C B7
I promise I’ll give up without a fight.
Em Am
These half hidden lacerations won’t be cured by incantations,
C B7
But they just might heal if I can see the light;
Em Am
I can’t promise to obey you. I can’t swear I won’t betray you,
C B7 Em
Or that when the morning comes I won’t take flight.
Am C B7 Em
And the pain is an elixir like a long slow drink of gin;
Am C B7
And the absinthe and the wormwood are the lost years creeping in.
Em Am
I keep coming back and drinking -- I’m a barfly who won’t learn.
C B7
I am gulping pretty poisons that devour me in return.
Em Am
I have seen the serpent turning, I have watched the cities burning,
C B7
I have wondered why the omens were ignored;
Em Am
Deal the cards and trade the glances. Roll the dice and take your chances,
C B7
Making bargains that our souls can ill afford.
Em Am
In the darkness that comes after I have heard the shattered laughter
C B7
From the ones who say that death’s their only lord;
Em Am
Break me bind and undo me. Light the fires and renew me --
C B7 Em
When the morning comes, I’ll rise to my reward.
Am C B7 Em
And the pain is an elixir like a long slow drink of gin;
Am C B7
And the absinthe and the wormwood are the lost years creeping in.
Em Am
I keep coming back and drinking -- I’m a barfly who won’t learn.
C B7
I am gulping pretty poisons that devour me in return.
Em Am
Well, I’m a modern sort of mystic and I'm plenty solipsistic,
C B7
And I know it’s true, I often go too far.
Em Am
You can tell me I’m a liar -- I won’t question your desires,
C B7
Though I wish I knew exactly who you are.
Em Am
Hear the roll of closing thunder, pick me up and pull me under,
C B7
Just be careful with those claws, ‘cause I’ve been scarred.
Em Am
I can’t promise you’re not dreaming, but I swear to you, I’m screaming...
C B7 Em
Come on, press me just one time against the bar.Written on: 1998-02-09. Seanan McGuire