hold back the dawn

the sun was going down

over echo park

wet raven hair

glowing in the dark

and that's when the fever would rise

and lord what a look in her eyes

from the moment that she blows out the light

we'd be lost in the forever night

hold back the dawn

hold back the dawn

won't you raise up your hand

and hold back the dawn

i dreamt if i could lay you upon this bed of straw

and we may break the rules but we don't break the law

come across but the river's too wide

i'd come across but the river's too high

and over by the fountain where we meet

i will lay silver roses at your feet

hold back the dawn

hold back the dawn

won't you raise up your hand

and hold back the dawn

now i have seen a painting

old and hanging in a frame

and that painting was of you

now how can you explain

from another place in time

done many years ago

why i'm haunted by this vision

guess we'll never know

and then she turned and whispered in my ear

can you feel my heartbeat

hold back the dawn

hold back the dawn

won't you raise up your hand

and hold back the dawn

won't you raise

won't you raise up

won't you raise up your hand

and hold back the dawn

hold back the dawn

won't you raise up your hand

and hold back the dawn

thought someone was moving with a savage grace

got that main all over her face

she was movin' to the pagan beat

through the dust and through the heat