by Townes Van Zandt



It's many a fine lady that's walked along beside me

with their flesh made of velvet and their eyes made of rain

some tried to hold me to hurt me to hide me

and some turned away not to look back again





One stood among them I remember most clearly

her sorrows were heavy and her laughter was slow

I courted her gently and I loved her most dearly

and I came her majestic reflections to know





Her words like the mountain stood lonely and lofty

with her face like daydream and her hair like the shore

worn by a mourner as he steals away softly

from those that would have him mourn nothing at all





Endlessly sorrow rode high on the north wind

slashing and slicing to take him his toll

and endlessly creatures of darkness were cuttin'

their paths through the walls that shelter the soul





But no longer gypsy lie sadness unending

her eyes they lay hollow and her face petrified

The sun will go laughin' and others condemn him

but who there among you could have told her good-bye