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If I Needed You Lyrics
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 you
I would swim the seas
for to ease your pain
In the night forlorn
all the morning's born
and the morning shines
with the lights of love
You will miss sunrise
if you close your eyes
and that would break
my heart in two
The lady's with me now
since I showed her how
to lay her lily
hand in mine
Loop and Lil agree
she's a sight to see
and a treasure for
the poor to find
would you come to me,
would you come to me,
and ease my pain?
If you needed me
I would come to you
I would swim the seas
for to ease your pain
all the morning's born
and the morning shines
with the lights of love
You will miss sunrise
if you close your eyes
and that would break
my heart in two
since I showed her how
to lay her lily
hand in mine
Loop and Lil agree
she's a sight to see
and a treasure for
the poor to find
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according to Townes, this song was written in his sleep. He had a dream that he was a famous Folk singer and this was his hit song. When he woke up, he wrote it all down, changing only one line that didn't really make sense.
and BTW, loop and lil were his parakeets :)
Amazingly Great song. It's sad how many people aren't familiar with his work.
Beautiful song. There's not much that tops Townes Van Zandt in terms of songwriting. He's one of my favorites, and someone that I wish I would have gotten to see live and in person. I find it interesting that there are only a few posts/comments concerning Townes' songs. Guess it goes to show that the majority of people don't know a good thing, don't know what good music is, and don't understand the good life. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be. People tend to screw stuff up anyway. To me, this is a great love song, about two people who have such a strong bond and feel an intense loyalty to one another that they'd make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. Love songs are a dime a dozen, but Townes' writing is full of creativity and makes an old subject seem new and fresh. Emmylou Harris and Don Williams did a duet of this song, and it does justice to Townes' writing. Emmylou's voice adds a sweetness to this emotionally-dreanched song, and Don Williams sounds like an experienced, wise man that everyone pays attention to.
If it's true that there's genius in simplicity, then Townes should be the posterboy for that catch-phrase. I can't imagine a more perfect or more simple way to tell someone you love them than the primary verse of the song:
If you needed me I would come to you I would swim the seas for to ease your pain
Yeah it is sad he is not recognized enough for being a great song writer
I must admit I am a new listener to Van Zandt. The Be Good Tanyas covering "waiting around to die" did it for me.
I must admit I am a new listener to Van Zandt. The Be Good Tanyas covering "waiting around to die" did it for me.
If you want to see the reincarnation of a songwriting genius no one knows about, check out David Dondero when he comes to your town.
If you want to see the reincarnation of a songwriting genius no one knows about, check out David Dondero when he comes to your town.
I agree with the comments above. Just want to add that Lyle Lovett does an amazing version of this song.
I think he is deeply in love with someone and would do anything for her (swim the seas) but is unsure if those feelings are reciprocated. He is unsure if she would share the same deep sense of loyalty and commitment, and this is very hurtful, painful if you will. He is afraid all of his love for her is in vain.
I think it's about rejection. He would do anything for her, but realizes that she would not do the same for him. All he has is his parakeets.