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Nick Drake — Clothes Of Sand
Album: Time Of No Reply
Avg rating:
7.6

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Total ratings: 1260









Released: 1973
Length: 2:26
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Who has dressed you in strange clothes of sand
Who has taken you far from my land
Who has said that my sayings were wrong
And who will say that I stayed much too long?

Clothes of sand have covered yor face
Given you meaning but taken my place
So make your way on down to the sea
Something has taken you so far from me.

Does it now seem worth all the colour of skies
To see the earth through painted eyes
To look through panes of shaded glass
See the stains of winter's grass.

Can you now return to from where you came
Try to burn your changing name
Or with silver spoons and coloured light
Will you worship moons in winter's night.

Clothes of sand have covered your face
Given you meaning but taken my place
So make your way on down to the sea
Something has taken you so far from me.
Comments (87)add comment
In 1984 I was a VERY poor college student at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. I was on my own, and really did not mind my family had turned their backs on me. I knew i was s decent person and glad to be young, independent, and open to whatever life brought my way.
I landed a plum spot on the roster of bartenders at Dugan's Deli, an off-campus liberal hangout that morphed from a neighborhod grocery into a bar when the owners kids started running the business, Frat Rats despised the place, just the bohemian  paradise people like me relished.
Like any workplace, there were people with whom I enjoyed sharing a shift. Nick was one of the hardest working people on our staff, witty, and gay. I was totally hetero. When we were both not too wrung out from working until 2am, we closed up the blinds, killed all the lights except over the pool table, and we became the Dukes of Dugan's, sometimes shooting until dawn.
Nick had brought in a mix tape heavy on Nick Drake. I'd never heard of Nick Drake, so his music just floored me, with the song "Fruit Tree" my absolute favorite. Playing way late after-hours pool in a closed bar, listening to the exquisite poetry of Nick Drake...you can't buy that type of luxury.
If Dugan's had become a Radio Station, it would have to be Radio Paradise, an Incomparable luxury.
Thank you RP!
Dennis Groseclose
Still Kickin' in the Honey Creek Valley
Posted 1 year ago by pamking    [ Reply ]
There is a video he made to River Man on Youtube.  It's all still still photographs but quite haunting.
Posted 1 year ago by waterwench21    [ Reply ]
 tkelley wrote:

I am so tired of hearing Nick Drake.  Please stop.  He and Jim Croche deserve to rest in peace.



How sad for you. 
Posted 2 years ago by TLynneHenry    [ Reply ]
I am so tired of hearing Nick Drake.  Please stop.  He and Jim Croche deserve to rest in peace.
Posted 3 years ago by tkelley    [ Reply ]
 admascott wrote:
while i dont agree with the sentiment, i love the humor in this. 

 

 
In fact John would have loved Nick's poetic mood very much.
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
One of many Nick masterpieces.
Posted 4 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
while i dont agree with the sentiment, i love the humor in this. 

 

Posted 4 years ago by admascott    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:


Always sucks when your popularity kicks in AFTER you're six feet under. Only artists get this shackle.


Well, if you're dead, what difference would it make when your popularity kicks in?
 
Well I think the thought was that if Nick got the adoration he has now, he might not have taken his own life. Which one would like to think might be true, yet, ala Chris Cornell and Kurt Cobain, depression is a  pisser of demon that even fame and fortune doesn't conquer very often.
Posted 5 years ago by bluematrix    [ Reply ]
 chirpie wrote:
Always sucks when your popularity kicks in AFTER you're six feet under. Only artists get this shackle.

 

Well, if you're dead, what difference would it make when your popularity kicks in?
Posted 5 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 anonymous wrote:
Beautiful! Nick - it's smth magical. I keep listening to him during a few years. Imho: He is a most natural human (as minimum,- among his generation). Excuse my english. Anatoliy. Russia.
 


Posted 7 years ago by Anatol    [ Reply ]

Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
This is what all "Singer Songwriters" strive for. "Something has taken you so far from me" just about says it all.
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Ok, definitely programmed in memory of David Bowie. ..{#Notworthy}
Posted 8 years ago by Valentint    [ Reply ]
Nick Drake is wonderful/tragic
(First comment sent via cell-phone : )
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Simply beautiful.
Posted 10 years ago by grazie    [ Reply ]
Drake's a welcome anti-McCartney psd (Uncle Albert and all that commercial grade pablum…uuurrrgggg! I'm gagging)
Posted 10 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
 oldfart48 wrote:
one of the few 80s tunes worth hearing.....{#Dance}

  1973


Posted 11 years ago by Kaw    [ Reply ]
one of the few 80s tunes worth hearing.....{#Dance}
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
I don't see why the adulation for Nick, he sang well but maybe he doesn't "hook" with me. 7
Posted 11 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
there is a place where beautiful and haunting meet. it´s called Nick Drake!
Posted 13 years ago by tutakea    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
Enya to Nick Drake; from the ridiculous to the sublime!{#Lol} All Nick Drake is wonderful, but this is one of the gems.{#Notworthy}
 
smily two thumbs up

Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Oooh!  Shiny!
 DaveInVA wrote:
One of his best. In addition to all his released stuff I have 5 vinyl records of his home recordings and the few surviving studio outtakes that some nice bootlegger complied years ago and its really interesting hearing just him and his guitar doing various takes on these songs and some songs that never got released....



Here is the limited edition red vinyl pressing of Time Of No Reply....

 


Posted 13 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Something has taken you so much closer to me. {#Hearteyes}

8.
Posted 13 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
lute
Posted 14 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
Absolute favorite Nick Drake song! 9 -> 10!{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Oooo - more Nick Drake!  Yum.  I'd never heard this one, but I love it.  I can't possibly be objective about things I've never heard before - I'm like that metaphorical kid in a candy store.  So many things from which to choose, and in this case, I don't have to worry about money, because it's all there for me and all I have to do is listen!

RP, I promise I'll contribute when I have two pennies to rub together with any certainty.                                               

Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
One of his best. In addition to all his released stuff I have 5 vinyl records of his home recordings and the few surviving studio outtakes that some nice bootlegger complied years ago and its really interesting hearing just him and his guitar doing various takes on these songs and some songs that never got released....



Here is the limited edition red vinyl pressing of Time Of No Reply....

Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
He was not only an excellent songwriter with an unmistakeable style, he was an incredible guitar player as well. Very imaginative and challenging.
Posted 14 years ago by DoctorHooey    [ Reply ]
I have all of Nick's albums (not a difficult feat!) and I've heard this tune a few times, but this is the 1st I've noticed the intermittent  guitar feedback; like of his songs, there's always another facet to appreciate - pure genius!
Posted 14 years ago by badrummer    [ Reply ]
Not bad!
Posted 14 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 sirdroseph wrote:
Enya to Nick Drake; from the ridiculous to the sublime!{#Lol} All Nick Drake is wonderful, but this is one of the gems.{#Notworthy}
 
Ah, I agree. That's MUCH more like it .... salve to my traumatized ears - or maybe an aspirin for my Enya hangover. Thanks for the relief, Bill.

Posted 14 years ago by tapatia1072    [ Reply ]
Enya to Nick Drake; from the ridiculous to the sublime!{#Lol} All Nick Drake is wonderful, but this is one of the gems.{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
its really doesn't get any better than Nick Drake
Posted 14 years ago by tobstar    [ Reply ]
wonderful. not one of nick's most well-known songs but i love it. it was the first one of his i heard and i still remember where i was and who i was with when i did.
Posted 15 years ago by zerozeroisland    [ Reply ]
 iyermish wrote:
Great tune ... Also like the Solas version.
 
I like their version of Which Will, too!

Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
I'll have to dig out the vinyl and play some more ND later today....
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 chirpie wrote:
Always sucks when your popularity kicks in AFTER you're six feet under. Only artists get this shackle.

 
Politicians too.

Can't say that Nick is my thing but he did do some fine work.  Not sure this is one of those though.


Posted 15 years ago by RadioDoc    [ Reply ]
Through his music and his haunting voice... Nick Drake lives!!!
Posted 15 years ago by Mickb    [ Reply ]
Unbelievable! song!
Another gone to God too soon, but what a legacy................
Posted 15 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Nick Drake is a God!
Posted 15 years ago by crispynz1    [ Reply ]
wow.. what a beautiful song. I'm really glad I tuned in to RP today. Thanks alot for this one,
Posted 16 years ago by ValosAtreide    [ Reply ]
Always sucks when your popularity kicks in AFTER you're six feet under. Only artists get this shackle.

Posted 16 years ago by chirpie    [ Reply ]
Very beautiful, but it makes me sooo sad...
Posted 16 years ago by D2r    [ Reply ]
Oh! This cd I don't have! Must have it... must...
Posted 17 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
Like anything Nick Drake, beau-ti-ful. A 10.
Posted 17 years ago by heeb    [ Reply ]
This is a great song... takes me to another time and place
Posted 17 years ago by perezia23    [ Reply ]
The man was a poet
Posted 17 years ago by EssexTex    [ Reply ]
Haunting.
Posted 17 years ago by Alpine    [ Reply ]
Smooth like Donovan
Posted 17 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
So this is the song to appease all the Enya haters? Oh well, I love them both....
Posted 17 years ago by grimmel    [ Reply ]
handyrae wrote:
There is something about his voice that is so hauntingly beautiful. Maybe because most (all?) of his songs are acoustic, but he sounds so old. Not old as in years, but rather like he's someone singing in the 14th century or something. It gives me chills.
I guess that's what I meant just the other day when I wrote, referring to Fly, that he sounds "deliberately old-fashioned".....
Posted 17 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
There is something about his voice that is so hauntingly beautiful. Maybe because most (all?) of his songs are acoustic, but he sounds so old. Not old as in years, but rather like he's someone singing in the 14th century or something. It gives me chills.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
Great artist, Nick Drake. Sounds like a mosquito when you play his music to soft (try it, it's true) and it's not suitable for playing whilst driving, but it's great music. He never should have died :(. 9!
Posted 17 years ago by s_k    [ Reply ]
daedalus wrote:
Just as a bit of apropos if a bit nerdy info - On the anniversary of Nick Drake's death, there was an English radio program on which John Martyn was interviewed, saying that indeed hid song 'Solid Air' was about Nick Drake. And on the inside of the cd jacket of the Nick Drake compilation, 'Waytoblue', it says: "You've been getting too deep: You've been living on solid air You've been missing your sleep And you've been moving through solid air" -"by John Martyn, for and about Nick Drake." -just in case you were interested.
... Yes, very interested and indeed very interesting and for a long time fan of John Martyn and Nick Drake, I just learned something
Posted 18 years ago by Mari    [ Reply ]
Love Nick Drake, but this song is passable at best.
Posted 18 years ago by shakylegs    [ Reply ]
It's so nice hearing this song on RP. This is one of my favorite Nick Drake songs. What a treat!!
Posted 18 years ago by meadowwoods    [ Reply ]
stornoway wrote:
...John Martyn (who has drunk himself literally legless) and Donovan are Brit folk rockers from the same era who could write and sing Drake into a cocked hat but suffer the disadvantage of not being, er, dead.
Just as a bit of apropos if a bit nerdy info - On the anniversary of Nick Drake's death, there was an English radio program on which John Martyn was interviewed, saying that indeed hid song 'Solid Air' was about Nick Drake. And on the inside of the cd jacket of the Nick Drake compilation, 'Waytoblue', it says: "You've been getting too deep: You've been living on solid air You've been missing your sleep And you've been moving through solid air" -"by John Martyn, for and about Nick Drake." -just in case you were interested.
Posted 19 years ago by daedalus    [ Reply ]
Nice lisp there, fella.
Posted 19 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
Tunafish wrote:
the worst most boring concert ever
Which one would that be now ?
Posted 19 years ago by tony99    [ Reply ]
stornoway wrote:
This guy is ludicrously lionised presumably because of the James Dean/Buddy Holly factor. The tunes are pedestrian, the lyrics banal, the delivery limp. John Martyn (who has drunk himself literally legless) and Donovan are Brit folk rockers from the same era who could write and sing Drake into a cocked hat but suffer the disadvantage of not being, er, dead.
That would make a lot more sense if Nick Drake's popularity arose shortly following his suicide, but from my understanding he only became popular here in the US in the past few years. Seams to me that he his exposure helped his popularity more than his death.
Posted 19 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
joe1 wrote:
..Sorry...this one bores the serious pants off me.. please stop saying it is 'so good' because it is the 'bloke that died'... I like a lot of his stuff but this is really crap.....nuff said.....
Maybe you should be wearing silly pants then.
Posted 19 years ago by NiceGuy2005    [ Reply ]
NiceGuy2005 wrote:
Sounds kind of like Nick Drake...hey wiat!
Who's Wiat? :-)
Posted 19 years ago by ploafmaster    [ Reply ]
Sounds kind of like Nick Drake...hey wiat!
Posted 19 years ago by NiceGuy2005    [ Reply ]
the guitaring is soothing
Posted 19 years ago by bebe    [ Reply ]
This guy is ludicrously lionised presumably because of the James Dean/Buddy Holly factor. The tunes are pedestrian, the lyrics banal, the delivery limp. John Martyn (who has drunk himself literally legless) and Donovan are Brit folk rockers from the same era who could write and sing Drake into a cocked hat but suffer the disadvantage of not being, er, dead.
Posted 19 years ago by stornoway    [ Reply ]
Ok. I know that Nick Drake is an RP "darling" and that I am going to disagree with most of you here, but this is drivel. This guy's lisp is driving me nuts!!!
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
He's lisping so badly, there's spit coming out of my speakers.
Posted 19 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Haunting. Sublime. God bless Nick Drake.
Posted 19 years ago by Cambot    [ Reply ]
Absolutely stunning tune...almost a 10!
Posted 19 years ago by ecorunner    [ Reply ]
I've always loved Nick Drake and this is a great tune!
Posted 19 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
Second time I hear it, and I push it to 9. Sensible
Posted 20 years ago by ColdBear    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
Quite dreadful. Even worse than his usual mumbling drivel. I would suggest that this be played to people on death row, just before they're about to be executed. That way, they will welcome death, if it means they won't have to listen to any more of this song. Think of it as a humanitarian gesture.
RP Helping death row inmates every day
Posted 20 years ago by JokesandJokesandJokes    [ Reply ]
Quite dreadful. Even worse than his usual mumbling drivel. I would suggest that this be played to people on death row, just before they're about to be executed. That way, they will welcome death, if it means they won't have to listen to any more of this song. Think of it as a humanitarian gesture.
Posted 20 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
the worst most boring concert ever
Posted 20 years ago by Tunafish    [ Reply ]
joe1 wrote:
..Sorry...this one bores the serious pants off me.. please stop saying it is 'so good' because it is the 'bloke that died'... I like a lot of his stuff but this is really crap.....nuff said.....
No one said that. Stop putting words in peoples mouths. Humble opinions are truly not in your repertoire are they.
Posted 20 years ago by stubbsz    [ Reply ]
Great song - haunting. Solas does a great version of this also
Posted 20 years ago by kaga    [ Reply ]
I recently bought the box set of all of Nick\'s albums after having just owned \"An Introduction To.\" This song is a prime reason why the box set is essential. Nearly every song on every album is a gem. I regret we don\'t have more material from him. Simply beautiful music.
Posted 21 years ago by KevDogRedux    [ Reply ]