Townes Van Zandt

John Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997) better known as Townes Van Zandt, was an American singer-songwriter. He wrote numerous songs, such as "Pancho and Lefty", "For the Sake of the Song", "Tecumseh Valley", "Rex's Blues", and "To Live is to Fly", that are widely considered masterpieces of American folk music. His musical style has often been described as melancholy and features rich, poetic lyrics. During his early years, Van Zandt was respected for his guitar playing and fingerpicking ability.

Lyrics
(all songs by Townes Van Zandt, unless otherwise noted)


 * At one time, friends, I had a ma, I even had a pa Well he beat her with a belt once 'cause she cried She told him to take care of me, headed down to Tennessee Well, it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die I came of age and I found a girl in a Tuscaloosa bar Ah, she cleaned me out and hit it on the sly Well, I tried to kill the pain, I bought some wine and hopped a train It seemed easier than just a-waitin' around to die
 * Waiting Around to Die (1969)


 * Pancho was a bandit boys His horse was fast as polished steel Wore his gun outside his pants For all the honest world to feel Pancho met his match you know On the deserts down in Mexico Nobody heard his dying words That's the way it goes All the Federales say They could have had him any day They only let him hang around Out of kindness I suppose
 * Pancho and Lefty (1972)


 * If I needed you, would you come to me? Would you come to me and ease my pain? If you needed me, I would come to you I'd swim the seas for to ease your pain Well, in the night forlorn, oh, the morning's born And the morning shines with the lights of love And you will miss sunrise if you close your eyes And that would break my heart in twoThe lady's with me now since I showed her how To lay her lily hand in mine Loop and Lil agree, she's a sight to see A treasure for the poor to find
 * If I Needed You (1972)


 * Days, up and down they come Like rain on a conga drum Forget most, remember some But don't turn none away Everything is not enough And nothin' is too much to bear Where you been is good and gone All you keep is the getting there To live is to fly Low and high So shake the dust off of your wings And the sleep out of your eyes
 * "To Live Is to Fly"


 * The name she gave was Caroline Daughter of a miner Her ways were free It seemed to me That sunshine walked beside her
 * "Tecumseh Valley"


 * The promise in her smile shames the mountains tall She can bring the sun to shining. She can tell the rain to fall.It's been a long time, Mama, since I heard you call my name,Ah, been a long time since I heard you call my nameI got to see my Colorado girl againBe there tomorrow, Mama, don't you cry
 * "Colorado Girl"


 * You have to blow off your family. You have to blow off comfort. You have to blow off money.... You have to blow off your ego. You have to blow off everything except your guitar.
 * Rolling Stone #1079 (28 May 2009), p. 64.