The Late Great Townes Van Zandt

We only let him go so long
Out of kindness, I suppose
…
He only had to go so soon
Ah but that's the way it goes...

Townes Van Zandt (March 7, 1944 – January 1, 1997). Playlist here.

Remembering Townes Van Zandt who died 20 years ago today (post updated January 1, 2018).

For the Sake of the Song. Oh, but maybe she just has to sing/ For the sake of the song.

Tecumseh Valley. The name she gave was Caroline/ The daughter of a miner.

Waitin' Around to Die. Sometimes I don't know where this dirty road is taking me/ Sometimes I can't even see the reason why.

I'll Be Here in the Morning Well, there's lots of things along the road I'd surely like to see/ I'd like to lean into the wind And tell myself I'm free.

Sad Cinderella. As your shattered illusions come a-tumblin' home/ And your crippled young gypsy, he's grown tall and strong.

Our Mother the Mountain. So walk these hills lightly, and watch who you're lovin'/ By mother the mountain I swear that it's true. And a lady's in waiting, she'll stand 'neath my window/ And the sun will rise soon on the false and the fair.

St. John the Gambler. She heard his laughter right down from the mountains/ And danced with her mother's tears. To a funeral drawn of calico 'neath the cross of twenty years.

Don't You Take It Too Bad. And if you go searchin' for rhyme or for reason/ Then you won't have the time that it takes just for talkin'.

Lungs. Salvation sat and crossed herself and called the devil partner/ Wisdom burned upon a shelf who'll kill the raging cancer.

Fare Thee Well, Miss Carousel. The castle walls has grown so tall Seem there ain't no hope at all/ To reach the top even though you stop for breathin'.

None But the Rain. We had our day but now it's over, We had our song but now it's sung/ We had our stroll through summer’s clover, But summer's gone now, our walkin's done.

Come Tomorrow. Well, it's strange how many tortured mornings Fell upon us with no warning. Lookin' for a smile to beg and borrow/ It's over now, there is no returning. A thousand bridges sadly burning/ And light the way I’ll have to walk alone. Come tomorrow.

Rake. I used to wake and run with the moon/ I lived like a rake and a young man. I covered my lovers with flowers and wounds/ My laughter the devil would frighten.

Nothin'. Sorrow and solitude/ These are the precious things. And the only words That are worth rememberin'.

Highway Kind. My days, they are the highway kind/ They only come to leave. But the leavin' I don't mind/ It's the comin' that I crave.

To Live Is to Fly. The choice is yours to make Time is yours to take. Some sail upon the sea/ Some toil upon the stone.

Snow Don't Fall. Snow don't fall On Summer’s time/ Wind don't blow Below the sea.

Pancho and Lefty. You weren't your mama's only boy But her favored one it seems/ She began to cry when you said goodbye/ And sank into your dreams.

If I Needed You. And you’ll miss sunrise If you close your eyes/ And that would break my heart in two.

Loretta. Loretta, I won't be gone long/ Keep your dancing slippers on/ Keep me on your mind a while I'll be back babe, to make you smile.

No Place to Fall. Time, she's a fast old train She's here then she's gone And she won't come again/ Won't you take my hand.

Flyin' Shoes. The mountain moon Forever sets too soon/ Bein' alone is all the hills can do/ Alone and then, Her silver sails again/ And they will follow In their flyin' shoes.

Snowin' on Raton. Bid the years good-bye you cannot still them/ You cannot turn the circles of the sun/ You cannot count the miles until you feel them/ And you cannot hold a lover that has gone.

At My Window. Time flows through brave beginnings/ And she leaves her endings beneath our feet. Walk lightly upon their faces/ Leave gentle traces upon their sleep.

White Freight Liner Blues. I'm goin' out on the highway, Listen to them big trucks whine/ White freight liner, Won't you steal away my mind?

Marie. Ah, the Pocono's down but the Chesapeake's runnin', two freights everyday. If it's just me I'd be headed South, but Marie can't catch no train.

A Song For. Ribbons of love Please keep me true sane/ Until I reach home on the morrow.

Tower Song. You built your tower strong and tall
Can't you see it's got to fall Some day.