The Ragpicker’s Dream Lyrics
[Verse 1]
When Jack Frost came for Christmas
With a brass monkey date
The Rail King and the Scarecrow
Hopped a Florida freight
And they blew on their paper cups
And stared through the steam
Then they drank half a bottle
Of Ragpicker's Dream
[Chorus]
Where the whiskey keeps following
Cold pitchers of beer
Me and my associate
Like the clientele here
[Post-Chorus]
Get the onions and the taters
Ribeyes on the grill
Toothpicks and Luckys
And a coffee refill
[Verse 2]
As the Rail King lay rocking
He was leaving the ground
Then he was flying like Santa Claus
Over the town
Where he came to the window
Of a house by a stream
It was a family Christmas
In the Ragpicker's Dream
When Jack Frost came for Christmas
With a brass monkey date
The Rail King and the Scarecrow
Hopped a Florida freight
And they blew on their paper cups
And stared through the steam
Then they drank half a bottle
Of Ragpicker's Dream
[Chorus]
Where the whiskey keeps following
Cold pitchers of beer
Me and my associate
Like the clientele here
[Post-Chorus]
Get the onions and the taters
Ribeyes on the grill
Toothpicks and Luckys
And a coffee refill
[Verse 2]
As the Rail King lay rocking
He was leaving the ground
Then he was flying like Santa Claus
Over the town
Where he came to the window
Of a house by a stream
It was a family Christmas
In the Ragpicker's Dream
[Verse 3]
There were kids at the table
All aglow in the light
Music in the wintertime
Sure carries at night
There was turkey and gravy
Pie and ice cream
And gifts for each and everyone
In the Ragpicker's Dream
[Chorus]
Where the red-eye keeps tumbling
In our glasses of beer
Me and my associate
Like the service in here
[Post-Chorus]
There's a ten for your trouble
You have beautiful hair
Make the last one two doubles
It's a cold one out there
[Verse 4]
Where the Scarecrow and the Rail King
Have started to dance
But a nightstick and a billyclub
Won't give peace a chance
Here I think they went thataways
Your song and dance team
Heading home for the holidays
With the Ragpicker's Dream
There were kids at the table
All aglow in the light
Music in the wintertime
Sure carries at night
There was turkey and gravy
Pie and ice cream
And gifts for each and everyone
In the Ragpicker's Dream
[Chorus]
Where the red-eye keeps tumbling
In our glasses of beer
Me and my associate
Like the service in here
[Post-Chorus]
There's a ten for your trouble
You have beautiful hair
Make the last one two doubles
It's a cold one out there
[Verse 4]
Where the Scarecrow and the Rail King
Have started to dance
But a nightstick and a billyclub
Won't give peace a chance
Here I think they went thataways
Your song and dance team
Heading home for the holidays
With the Ragpicker's Dream
[Verse 5]
On his knees like a fighter
The rail-riding king
Like a sack of potatoes
Like a bull in the ring
Where the Scarecrow falls over
With a tear in the seam
Home for the rover
In the Ragpicker's Dream
[Chorus]
Where the red-eye keeps tumbling
Like tears in our beer
Me and my associate
Like the ambience here
[Post-Chorus]
Where they cornered two castaways
In a white flashlight beam
Merry Christmas and happy days
In the Ragpicker's Dream
On his knees like a fighter
The rail-riding king
Like a sack of potatoes
Like a bull in the ring
Where the Scarecrow falls over
With a tear in the seam
Home for the rover
In the Ragpicker's Dream
[Chorus]
Where the red-eye keeps tumbling
Like tears in our beer
Me and my associate
Like the ambience here
[Post-Chorus]
Where they cornered two castaways
In a white flashlight beam
Merry Christmas and happy days
In the Ragpicker's Dream
About
Genius Annotation
“Ragpicker’s Dream” by Mark Knopfler appears on his 2002 album of the same name.
This is a story song and a tender dream from a couple of old hobos who know how to keep Christmas well.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Why Aye Man
- 2.Devil Baby
- 5.Quality Shoe
- 7.Marbletown
- 9.Coyote
- 10.The Ragpicker’s Dream
- 12.Old Pigweed
Credits
Producers
Writer
Pedal Steel Guitar
Recorded At
Ocean Way Studio, Nashville
Release Date
September 30, 2002
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