Revelator
Gillian Welch Lyrics


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Darling remember from when you come to me
That I'm the pretender,
I'm not what I'm supposed to be
But who could know, if I'm a traitor?
Times the revelator, revelator.

They caught the Katy, and left me a mule to ride.
The fortune lady came along she walked beside,
But every word seemed to date her.
Times the revelator, the revelator.

Up in the morning up and on the ride.
I drive in to corning and all the spindles whine
And ever day is getting straighter.
Times the revelator the revelator

Leaving the valley and fucking out of sight
I'll go back to cali where I can sleep out every night
And watch the waves and move the fader.




Queen of fakes and Imitators
Times the revelator.

Overall Meaning

Gillian Welch's song Revelator starts with a warning from the singer to her lover. She is a pretender and not who she seems to be. The question of whether or not she is a traitor hangs in the air. The chorus "Times the revelator, revelator" vaguely hints at the answer to this question. The second verse describes the singer's journey after being left behind by her friends who caught the train. The fortune lady who came along can't seem to get through to the singer. The chorus repeats, suggesting that something significant is happening, but what that is, is still unclear. The third verse finds the singer driving to work, and every day is getting straighter. The chorus repeats again, offering no new clues as to what "times the revelator" refers to. The final line of the verse seems unrelated to the rest, suggesting that the singer is leaving her current situation and going back to California to start over. The final chorus is much more ominous, with the singer declaring herself the queen of fakes and imitators. Again, the phrase "Times the revelator" is repeated, ending the song on an unresolved note.


Line by Line Meaning

Darling remember from when you come to me
My love, please keep in mind when you approach me


That I'm the pretender,
I am pretending to be someone I am not


I'm not what I'm supposed to be
I know that I am not living up to expectations


But who could know, if I'm a traitor?
How can anyone be certain if I am being disloyal?


Times the revelator, revelator.
Time has a way of revealing the truth.


They caught the Katy, and left me a mule to ride.
They took the train, and I was given a slower mode of transportation.


The fortune lady came along she walked beside,
A woman who claims to know the future walked beside me,


But every word seemed to date her.
None of her predictions turned out to be accurate.


Up in the morning up and on the ride.
I wake up early and begin my journey.


I drive in to corning and all the spindles whine
I drive into the city and the factory machines make a lot of noise.


And ever day is getting straighter.
With each passing day, my routine becomes more routine.


Times the revelator the revelator
Time has a way of revealing the truth.


Leaving the valley and fucking out of sight
I am leaving this place and disappearing completely.


I'll go back to cali where I can sleep out every night
I will return to California where I can sleep outside every night.


And watch the waves and move the fader.
I will enjoy the ocean waves and adjust the volume.


Queen of fakes and Imitators
People who pretend to be something they are not are everywhere.


Times the revelator.
Time has a way of revealing the truth.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID TODD RAWLINGS, GILLIAN HOWARD WELCH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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