Lungs

By
Townes Van Zandt

Well, won't you lend your lungs to me?
Mine are collapsing
Plant my feet and bitterly breathe
Up the time that's passing.
Breath I'll take and breath I'll give
Pray the day ain't poison
Stand among the ones that live
In lonely indecision.

Fingers walk the darkness down
Mind is on the midnight
Gather up the gold you've found
You fool, it's only moonlight.
If you try to take it home
Your hands will turn to butter
You better leave this dream alone
Try to find another.

Salvation sat and crossed herself
Called the devil partner
Wisdom burned upon a shelf
Who'll kill the raging cancer
Seal the river at its mouth
Take the water prisoner
Fill the sky with screams and cries
Bathe in fiery answers

Jesus was an only son
And love his only concept
Strangers cry in foreign tongues
And dirty up the doorstep
And I for one, and you for two
Ai'nt got the time for outside
Just keep your injured looks to you
We'll tell the world we tried

Comments

  • soccerfreaks
    soccerfreaks Member Posts: 2,788 Member
    "homegrown tomatoes"
    (Guy Clark reference)

    Ah, between Townes, Guy and John Prine, I reckon I would have enough music of enough various mood and energy to survive on a desert isle (with libation and lady, of course).

    Thanks for showcasing a brilliant effort by the late Mr. Van Zandt.

    Take care,

    Joe
  • Tricia02
    Tricia02 Member Posts: 129
    a blast from the past
    Thanx Blake for those lyrics. As you know I am a Londoner and Van Zandt was virtually unknown over here. I however lived in Calif and had a musician boyfriend from GA and the rest of the band were Texans, so I got to know of Van Zandt back in the early 70's and I do remember this track quite well. I was introduced to country/folk music at this time. So thanx for bringing me down memory lane, wonderful.
  • Tricia02
    Tricia02 Member Posts: 129
    a blast from the past
    Thanx Blake for those lyrics. As you know I am a Londoner and Van Zandt was virtually unknown over here. I however lived in Calif and had a musician boyfriend from GA and the rest of the band were Texans, so I got to know of Van Zandt back in the early 70's and I do remember this track quite well. I was introduced to country/folk music at this time. So thanx for bringing me down memory lane, wonderful. Joe I am a lady, as you know, but I cannot supply the booze! hahahahaha