Townes Van Zandt Album

Ribbons of love
Please keep me true sane
Until I reach home on the morrow
Never never to wander again
I'm weak and I'm weary of sorrow
London to Dublin
Australia to Perth
I gazed at your sky
I tasted your earth
Sung out my heart
For what it was worth
Never again shall I ramble

There's nowhere left
In this world where to go
My arms, my legs they're a-tremblin'
Thoughts both clouded and blue as the sky
Not even worth the rememberin'
Now as I stumble
And reel to my bed
All that I've done
All that I've said
Means nothin' to me
I'd soon as be dead
All of this world be forgotten

No words of comfort
No words of advice
Nothin' to offer a stranger
Gone the love, gone the spite
It just doesn't matter no longer
My sky's getting far
The ground's gettin' close
My self goin' crazy
The way that it does
I'll lie on my pillow
And sleep if I must
Too late to wish I'd been stronger
Too late to wish I'd been stronger

I gotta guitar all my own
I gotta quarter for the telephone
I ain't headed down this highway all alone
One two three and maybe four
Honey they're knockin' on my door
I know you're gonna miss me when I'm gone

Got no daddy but I got a ma
Think she lives in Arkansas
Maybe I'll go see her some old day
It ain't like she'd really care
It ain't like she'd pay no fare
But I might just blow on through there anyway

Headed down to Alabam
Cause some trouble if I can
Aw buddy would you like to come along
It's a place I never been
And you know I could use a friend
They say they'll give us twenty bucks a song

I gotta guitar all my own
I gotta quarter for the telephone
I ain't headed down this highway all alone
One two three and maybe four
Honey they're knockin' on my door
I know I'm gonna miss you when I'm gone

The old woman finally caught me
Sneakin' 'round her cave
Her hair looked just like barbwire, boys
And her smile just like the grave
She asked me could I stay awhile
I said I'd better go
She slid her arm around my neck
And sweetly whispered no

It's cold and dark and lonely here
As soon enough you'll see
I'm oh so glad you stumbled in
I've been cravin' company
I cannot stay too long you know
I left some friends at home
Don't you fret about your friends
Down here we're all alone

What about my mother
I can't just leave her there to mourn
You don't have to think about her
Just forget you were ever born
I'll disappoint my father
You know he worked so hard for me
If you have to pay your father back
Just send him some misery

I'll miss, I said, a girl I know
I can't just leave her there to pine
She's still got plenty of men to go
I'm sure she'll do just fine
What about my little boy
She said, he's just like you
Let a few short years roll by
He'll end up down here too

Then her pale green eyes began to glow
She placed her hand on mine
She smiled and said don't worry
You'll get used to me in time
As her cold tongue flickered toward my throat
I spun myself around
Made a dive for the passageway

But the walls come crashing down
Now her eyes were the only light
My fevered brain could see
But I tore myself away from them
And fell down to my knees
I've come too far, I can't get back
I beseeched the gods of men
Fame and fortune just laughed at me
Then silence once again

I whisper deep within
Embrace the God of love
I lifted my face and through the tears
I saw light fall from above

I hurled myself into the wall
I ripped and clawed my way
Through the stinkin', clingin' loam
Back to the light of day
I crawled out into the wind again
The sky upon my face
I heard the earth sigh patiently
As it slid back into place

Now I'm back among the ones I love
I'm loved by them in turn
And it's only on the darkest night
That green eyed memory burns
So walk my friends, in the light of day
Don't go sneakin' 'round no holes
There just might be something down there
Wants to gobble up your soul

(feat. Willie Nelson)

I stood in line and left my name
Took about six hours or so
Well, the man just grinned like it was all a game
Said they'd let me know
I put in my time till the pocono line
Shut down two years ago
I was staying at the mission till I met marie
Now I can't stay there no more

Fella 'cross town said he's lookin' for a man
To move some old cars around
Maybe me and marie could find a burned-out
Van and do a little settlin' down
Aw, but I'm just dreamin', I ain't got no ride
And the junkyard's a pretty good ways
That job's about a half week old besides
It'd be gone now anyway

Unemployment said I got no more checks
And they showed me to the hall
My brother died in georgia some time ago
I got no one left to call
Summer wasn't bad below the bridge
A little short on food that's all
Now I gotta get marie some kind of coat
We're headed down into fall

I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
Hustled up a little dough
But I got drunk and I woke up rolled
A couple of months ago
They got my harp and they got my dollar

Them low life so and so's
Harps cost money and I ain't got it
It's my own fault I suppose

The pocono's down but the chesapeak's runnin'
Two freights everyday
If it was just me I'd be headed south
But marie can't catch no train
She's got some pain and she thinks it's a baby,
Says we gotta wait and see
In my heart I know it's a little boy
Hope he don't end up like me

Well, the man's still grinnin' says he lost my file
I gotta stand in line again
I want to kill him but I just say no
I had enough of that line my friend
I head back to the bridge, it's getting kinda cold
I'm feelin' too low down to lie
I guess I'll just tell marie the truth
Hope she don't break down and cry

Marie she didn't wake up this morning
She didn't even try
She just rolled over and went to heaven
My little boy safe inside
I laid them in the sun where somebody'd find them
Caught a chesapeak on the fly
Marie will know I'm headed south
So's to meet me by and by

Marie will know I'm headed south
So to meet me by and by

Goin' down to Memphis
Maybe get my ashes hauled
I can drive me a car, man
But I don't need no car at all
I believe I'll ride that Memphis cannon ball

She runs so fast
You can't catch her from behind
Ah, she runs so fast
You can't catch her from behind
But I'll be there waitin'
For that little Memphis girl of mine

Why I left
Guess I'll never know
Why I left
Man I guess I'll never know
Sittin' here thinkin'
I'm one dumb-ass so and so

I'm headed back
That Memphis train
She leaves real soon
The Memphis train
Sound like she leaves real soon
Got nothin' to guide me
'Cept the color of the moon
Hangin' over Memphis

Headed down
Where the Mississippi runs
Boys I'm headed home
Back where the Mississippi runs
I hear there's some lovin' there
Try to get me some

Headed down to Memphis
Maybe get my ashes hauled
Just don't know
Why I ever left at all
I'm gettin' on that train, man,
I ain't even gonna call
Be there before the break of day

Hey Willy boy what you gonna do
When the wind blows cold
The moon turns blue
Build me a fire
Gonna dance and sing
A little bit of winter don't mean a thing
A little bit of winter don't mean a thing

Hey Willy when the birds arrive
The flowers bloom
While the clouds float by
Tell my puppies
And my turtles and things
All God's children need a little spring
All God's children need a little spring

Hey Willy boy where you gonna go
When the grass gets sticky
And the wind blows slow
Down to the river
Gonna jump right in
A little bit of summer can't be no sin
A little bit of summer can't be no sin

Hey Willy how you gonna feel
When the leaves turn gold
Beneath your heels
Twirl and spin never gonna fall
Fallin just won't do at all
No that wouldn't do at all

Hey Willy boy how you gonna feel
Hey Willy boy where you gonna go
Hey Willy boy what you gonna do
It's time to go to sleep right now
It's time to go to sleep right now

On the banks of the Niles I courted my love
I walked with her soft as a mournin' dove
I loved her true I swear I still do
And now she's gone without me

I walk by the banks and give the Lord thanks
That I had the chance to court her
I don't know why he flew her away
I don't know why I'm left here

The Niles runs cold and clear
As cold and clear as my tears
I'll never forget, I'll never regret
Those days on the beautiful Niles

Her name was Diane her beautiful hands
Were soft as the pearls in the water
I looked in her eyes they were blue as the skies
And now I've gone and left her

I'll follow her down the way to the river
Follow her now, now and forever
She's my one and only smile
On the beautiful banks of the Niles

Someday soon 'neath the light of the moon
When the sun and the rain shine together
I'll meet her down where the waters flow
And continue to flow forever

Down on the banks of the beautiful Niles
I wonder what can I be thinking
Down on the banks of that beautiful river
I'll wander, look for her forever
I'll wander, look for her forever

Well Billy went down to the battleground
To find a little trinket he could call his own
Didn't see nothin' lying around
He decided he'd dig awhile
Well he dug her up and he dug her down
'Fore too long he found some bones
Poor little Billy couldn't make a sound
When the bones sat up and smiled

Oh Billy you seem like a fine young man
No reason to be a tremblin' soul
Come over here and shake my hand
Make my proud acquaintance
Well Billy he was stunned he could hardly stand
Whether he could move he didn't know
But he knew he had to formulate some kinda plan
Or try the boneman's patience

The first thing he wanted to do was breathe
So he gulped in some of that battleground air
Next thing he wanted to do was leave
But Billy wasn't raised up rude
Well the boneman grunted and he gave a heave
All of a sudden he was loomin' there
Shakin' off dirt and actin' pleased
Things didn't look too good

Well Billy he decided what the hell
You don't meet a boneman every day
A little bit skinny but you never can tell
He might be a pretty good guy
Well they started off with the old soft sell
'Fore too long they were jawin' away
By the time the darkness fell
They were seein' socket to eye

They decided right then on a life of crime
With the Boneman's looks and Billy's brains
They could scare old scrooge out of his last dime
Might as well have a go
Billy he would picked the place and time
From the corner store to the railroad train
Boney'd flash him a smile sublime
And Billy he'd grab the dough

They decided they might as well start right then
Time's awastin' so they say
They headed for the park
Where the lights are dim
And only the foolish tread
He was whistlin' a tune
When they spotted him strollin' along
So plump and gay
Boney gave him a great big grin
And Billy snagged his bread

Next come a lady of the night
Boney sidled up and said hello
Gave the poor thing such a terrible fright
She fainted dead away
Billy lifted her purse and her earrings bright
Diamond rings and watch you know
Couldn't figure out try as they might
Why they'd ever worked the single day

Billy's plans ended up in ruin you know
They were workin' a quaint little neighborhood
Spied an old lady about eighty or so
Almost looked too easy
Boney put on a pretty good show
But the little ol' lady didn't see too good
My kind sir your all bones you know
You need something hot and greasy

Grabbed ol' Boney drug him inside
Billy peeked in through the window sill
She fed him boiled and baked and fried
Ol' Boney he's chewin' like crazy
He gobbled up everything he tried
Pounds added on like you know they will
Billy laid down in the dirt and cried
Watchin' Boney gettin' fat and lazy

Well Billy's back workin' his job by day
Sleepin' nights it ain't so bad
Never liked stealin' anyway
Kinda gives a guy the willies
Boney and ma got a new cafe
Best baked beans you ever had
Ma's expecting any day
And they say they're gonna name him Billy

There is no deeper blue
In the ocean that lies
As deep as the blue
Of your laughing eyes
No sweeter sound
Than your gentle sigh
No heart was ever so pure

Dream pretty dreams
Touch beautiful things
Let all the skies surround you
Swim with the swans
And believe that upon
Some glorious dawn
Love will find you

Well come some day
I'm bound away
Wind and wings on the water
But whatever may
You must stay
And remain my beautiful daughter

There is no deeper blue
In the ocean that lies
As deep as the blue
Of your laughing eyes
No sweeter sound
Than your gentle sigh
No heart was ever so pure

Good night Katie Belle, good night

If I was Washington
Valleys would I forge for
If I was a fat man
Fun would I gorge for
If I was Gingus
Gold would I horde for
Wish I had a dollar a day

If I was a gouger
Gouge would I wish for
If I was a fisherman
Fish would I fish for
If I was a french whore
Frenchies I'd dish for
Wish I had a dollar a day

Turkeys are for flyin'
Chickens are for eatin'
I'm all for fun
Fun's forbidden
Forbidden's forgotten
And forgotten's for gettin'
I wish I had a dollar a day

Buzzards are for circling
Circles are for heroes
Heroes for floatin'
Fiddles to Nero
Fingers for countin'
Numbers for zero
Wish I had a dollar a day

If I was Washington
Valleys would I forge for
If I was a fat man
Fun would I gorge for
If I was Gingus
Gold would I horde for
Wish I had a dollar a day

Oh, if I was Washington
I'd wear wood teeth
If I was a policeman
Walk me a stone beat
If I was a singer
I'd stop right now
I wish I had a dollar a day

Dreams that have flown down the hall
Tears that were sown on despair
Summer's turned Fall
It don't matter at all
When I wake and find you lying there
Sweet silence and soft auburn hair

Blues gonna dance through the sky
Time's gonna roll soft as rain
Sigh after sigh is gonna pass by and by
When I gaze into your brown eyes again
Ah love is gonna fly on the wind

All the things I've seen
And the places that I've been
Don't mean a thing since I found you
All that matters now
Since I've won your love somehow
Are these plans that I keep makin'
Not to lose you

Sleep Babe 'till the moon slips away
I'm hopin' all you're dreamin' comes true
When you rise with the day
I might not have too much to say
But you know that doesn't mean
That I don't love you
Ah you know that doesn't mean
That I don't love you

All the things I've seen
And the places that I've been
Don't mean a thing since I found you
All that matters now
Since I've won your love somehow
Are these plans that I keep makin'
Not to lose you

Dreams that have flown down the hall
Screams that were sown on despair
Summer's turned Fall
It don't matter at all
When I wake and find you lying there
Sweet silence and soft auburn hair
Sweet silence and soft auburn hair

Baby hit the back door breathin' real heavy
Said the boys in the alley wouldn't leave her alone
Mama did her make-up in a terrible hurry
She finally got ready but the boys were gone
Mama don't you worry, night's aproachin'
There's a hole in heaven where some sin slips through
Close your eyes and dream real steady
Maybe just a little will spill on you

The dark don't lie
And dreams come true
Could be a few will see you through

Old lady Rose, lookin' down her nose
At lonely Miss Lily hiding in the hall
Lily's just praying for the trial to be over
Rosy's just waitin' for the ax to fall
Show me off on the way to town
The sky's still shiny and the earth's still brown
Tell the judge I'm ready for the vases
Gonna dance in their faces when the guitar sounds

It won't be long
I'll be long gone
I've been leaning toward the shadows all along

Those in the know say how it goes
You plan on reapin' you better sow
You plan on sleepin' you better keep movin'
Sleepin' ain't allowed around here you know
Tell me please when the rollin's over
Me and my baby gonna have some fun
Bury our backs in a bed of clover
Smile in style while the sun goes down

Snake eyes cry
And boxcars sigh
Poor seven's in the middle just a-wonderin' why

The dark don't lie
And dreams come true
All it takes is one or two
Maybe just a few will see you through
Maybe just a few will see you through

I'm gonna lay my troubles on the railroad track
I'm gonna ride I ain't lookin' back
I tried to stop but I can't unpack
Gotta get used to the clickety-clack
The big ol' wheels and the smokin' stack
Ah babe I gotta go
Babe I gotta go

Loved you honey heart and soul
I swear you're the sweetest thing I know
I loved you true, I told you so
I told you too come time to go
I'll be gone with any ol' wind that blows
Ah babe I just can't stay
And it's bound to be that way

There's lots of things I'd like to see
From the mountains to the shinin' sea
Up in the sky where the wind blows free
To the cities down below
Ah babe I just don't know
I got trouble, trouble in my soul
I got trouble in my soul

I'm gonna lay my trouble on a railroad track
I'm gonna ride, I ain't lookin back
I tried to stop but I can't unpack
Go to sleep with the clickety-clack
The big ol' wheels and the smokin' stack
Ah babe I'm bound to go
I got trouble in my soul
I got trouble, trouble in my soul

I been gone too long
Too long gone, too long
I been travelin' hard
I just can't get back home
Ah it's hard to believe I done all that much wrong

I wanna find me a seven
Sevens ain't so bad
Seven about the best friend
This poor boy ever had
Ah you get you a seven
One and six don't seem so sad

I ain't bein' alone
Bein' alone too long
I'm sick of singin' this same ol' lonesome song
I'm gonna find me a seven and darlin'
I'm comin' home

It's lonesome down along this ol' highway
Darlin' I ain't stayin' here
I don't intend to stay
You may not want me I'm comin' home anyway

When the sun comes creepin'
Over the mountain side
I at least lay down and tell myself I tried
I ain't like somebody gonna sit in no ditch and cry

I been gone too long
Too long gone, too long
Travelin' hard I just can't get back home
It's hard to believe I done all that much wrong

Too long gone
Too long gone, too long
Travelin' hard, I just can't get back home
It's hard to believe I done all that much wrong
Ah it's hard to believe I done all that much wrong