Townes Van Zandt

thumb|Townes Van Zandt thumb|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) thumb|The promise in Her smile, shames the mountains tall. She can bring the sun to shine, tell the rain to fall. (Colorado girl) At one time, friends, I had a ma, I even had a paWell he beat her with a belt once 'cause she criedShe told him to take care of me, headed down to TennesseeWell, it's easier than just a-waitin' around to dieI came of age and I found a girl in a Tuscaloosa barAh, she cleaned me out and hit it on the slyWell, I tried to kill the pain, I bought some wine and hopped a trainIt seemed easier than just a-waitin' around to die Waiting Around to Die (1969) Pancho was a bandit boysHis horse was fast as polished steelWore his gun outside his pantsFor all the honest world to feelPancho met his match you knowOn the deserts down in MexicoNobody heard his dying wordsThat's the way it goesAll the Federales sayThey could have had him any dayThey 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 youI'd swim the seas for to ease your painWell, in the night forlorn, oh, the morning's bornAnd the morning shines with the lights of loveAnd you will miss sunrise if you close your eyesAnd that would break my heart in twoThe lady's with me now since I showed her howTo lay her lily hand in mineLoop and Lil agree, she's a sight to seeA treasure for the poor to find If I Needed You (1972) Days, up and down they comeLike rain on a conga drumForget most, remember someBut don't turn none awayEverything is not enoughAnd nothin' is too much to bearWhere you been is good and goneAll you keep is the getting thereTo live is to flyLow and highSo shake the dust off of your wingsAnd the sleep out of your eyes "To Live Is to Fly" The name she gave was CarolineDaughter of a minerHer ways were freeIt seemed to meThat sunshine walked beside her "Tecumseh Valley" The promise in her smile shames the mountains tallShe 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. External links Category:Poets from the United States Category:Guitarists from the United States Category:Folk singers Category:American country singers Category:Singer-songwriters from the United States Category:1944 births Category:1997 deaths Category:People from Fort Worth