Fruit Tree lyrics

Fame is but a fruit tree

So very unsound.

It can never flourish

Till its stock 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From a much outdated style.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 the 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 were really worth.

Forgotten while you're here

Remembered for a while

A much updated ruin

From a much outdated style.

Fame is but a fruit tree

So very unsound.

It can never flourish

Till its stock 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'll all know

That you were here when you're gone.

• Artist:Nick Drake
• Album:Five Leaves Left (1969)