The Decemberists - The Reapers Lyrics

Early in the evening, when the working is through
And the fields all in furrows and there ain't much to do
Me and my lady, all a-riding did go
As we wait for the reapers to mow

You lay on the hay rake and me on the plow
Foreman's in the granary a-wiping his brow
Gonna break an ankle just working this row
As we wait for the reapers to mow
As we wait for the reapers to mow

Over the next valley where the land is all wild
And the hillside's all berries and thornweed for miles
Gonna plow a pasture where no one will go
And I'll wait for the reapers to mow

I heard of a mansion on top of a hill
Where a lordling lives splendid, just eating his fill
Dressed in white linen, his servants in tow
'Til he waits for the reapers to mow
'Til he waits for the reapers to mow

Come and go with me to a land overseas
Where the people sit idle and do as they please
But one thing you can't run from wherever you go
Is that wait for the reapers to mow

I heard of a beggar, not a suit to his name
Born in a brothel to the madame's disdain
Put him in the gutter or in a château
As he'll wait for the reapers to mow
He's gotta wait for the reapers to mow

I dreamed of a trial 'tween the moon and the sun
Where the stars were the jury and the heavens the judge
Awarded to the plaintiff, the defendant brought low
She must wait for the reapers to mow

Tomorrow and tomorrow when the working is done
And the fields are all fallow and the harrow is run
Come and lie with me in the fresh fallen snow
And we'll wait for the reapers to mow
And we'll wait for the reapers to mow