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Townes Van Zandt – Tower Song Lyrics 16 years ago
He wrote this in an attempt to patch up his failing first marriage.

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Townes Van Zandt – Snowin' On Raton Lyrics 16 years ago
It was written for his girlfriend who was murdered while hitchhiking and he never performed it after he recorded it.

This is according to his authorized biography...

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Townes Van Zandt – Pancho & Lefty Lyrics 16 years ago
The song seems to me to be autobiographical... The 1st verse is the tip off...

Living on the road my friend
Was gonna keep you free and clean
Now you wear your skin like iron
Your breath's as hard as kerosene
You weren't your mama's only boy
But her favorite one it seems
She began to cry when you said goodbye
And sank into your dreams

Later he sings

Lefty he can't sing the blues
All night long like he used to

Which I'm pretty sure is self referential

And later still he sings

Lefty's livin' in a cheap hotel

Which is where he spent most of his time.

Who Pancho is I'm not 100% sure. Could be someone he was involved with professionally who screwed him over or it could be, as has been suggested by some, the other side of his manic depressive personality.

In this last case he is whole in the first verse but then splits into two distinct personalities (after being out on the road so long) for the rest of the song.

Perhaps he felt he'd sold himself out (of a better/easier life) by choosing the life of a wandering troubadour?


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Townes Van Zandt – A Song For Lyrics 16 years ago
Just an FYI for the above poster (beer good)...

The song was a suicide note. As I understand it he added the chorus later...

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