Fruit Tree

Nick Drake · Nick Drake: A Treasury [2005]

Fame is but a fruit tree

So very unsound

It can never flourish

Till its stalk is in the ground

So men of fame

Can never find a way

Till time has flown

Far from their dying day



Forgotten while you're here

Remembered for a while

A much updated ruin

From a much updated style



Life is but a memory

Happened long ago

Theatre full of sadness

For a long forgotten show



Seems so easy

Just to let it go on by

Till you stop and wonder

Why you never wondered why

Safe in a womb of an everlasting night

You find the darkness can give the brightest light



Safe in your place deep in the earth

That's when they'll know

What you are really worth



Forgotten while you're here

Remembered for a while

A much updated ruin

From a much updated style



Fame is but a fruit tree

So very unsound

It can never flourish

Till its stalk is in the ground

So men of fame can never find a way

Till time has flown far from their dying day



Fruit tree

Fruit tree

No one knows you but the rain and the air

Don't you worry

They'll stand and stare when you're gone



Fruit tree

Fruit tree

Open your eyes to another year

They will know that you were here

when you are gone