Per the unforeseen announcement of Taylor Swift’s eighth studio album “folklore” and the subsequent release of the album’s track list, “the lakes” is the featured bonus track on the eight physical deluxe editions of the album. It was previously unavailable on digital sales or streaming platforms until Taylor officially released the deluxe version of the album on these platforms on August 18, 2020.
On August 20, 2020, Swift introduced a subdivision of the album in thematical chapters, and “the lakes” is featured in the first group, “folklore: the escapism chapter”, together with five other songs.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Is it romantic how all my elegies eulogize me?
I'm not cut out for all these cynical clones
These hunters with cell phones
[Chorus]
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
[Verse 2]
What should be over burrowed under my skin
In heart-stopping waves of hurt
I've come too far to watch some namedropping sleaze
Tell me what are my words worth
[Chorus]
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
[Bridge]
I want auroras and sad prose
I want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet
'Cause I haven't moved in years
And I want you right here
A red rose grew up out of ice frozen ground
With no one around to tweet it
While I bathe in cliffside pools
With my calamitous love and insurmountable grief
[Chorus]
Take me to the Lakes where all the poets went to die
I don't belong and, my beloved, neither do you
Those Windermere peaks look like a perfect place to cry
I'm setting off, but not without my muse
No, not without you