A Southern Missive

For today’s post, I wanted to share the beautiful lyrics of another great song by Emmylou Harris. I heard it just a few minutes ago on the Americana station and I think it’s one I’ll add to my show someday. I found the lyrics at Cowboy Lyrics.com, a great site to visit if you’re looking for Country & Western & Americana lyrics. If you’re a fan of Emmylou, her official site is here. I do so hope I can see her perform sometime, as I do love her music.

Waltz Across Texas Tonight by Emmy Lou Harris

The wind can blow cold, it moans and it cries
When it carries the sound of a thousand goodbyes
But if you listen tonight on that high, lonely plain
You’ll just hear my voice as it calls out your name
You’ll just hear my voice as it calls out your name

You’ve been on a road that just don’t seem to end
Where that broken old heart of yours won’t ever mend
You’ve crossed over bridges and bridges they burn
So many rivers and so much to learn
So many bridges and so much to learn

But the moon is so full, the stars are so bright
And my hand is steady, my touch id light
Look in my eyes, hold on real tight
And I’ll waltz you my darling across Texas tonight
I’ll waltz you my darling across Texas tonight

We both have known hard luck
And love that’s gone wrong
When the ghosts take the shadows and
The night takes too long
We folded our cards when the hand wasn’t strong
But that wheel will keep spinning long after we’re gone
Yeah, that wheel will keep spinning long after we’re gone

And the moon is so full, the stars are so bright
And my hand is steady, my touch is light
Look in my eyes, hold on real tight and I’ll
Waltz you my darling across Texas tonight

I’ll waltz you my darling across Texas tonight
Look in my eyes, hold on real tight
And I’ll waltz you my darling across Texas tonight
I’ll waltz you my darling across Texas tonight

While working on my online classes I teach and on my tax preparation, I heard a Son Volt song on my Americana Cable station I like to listen to. The song was okay, but as always happens when I hear any Son Volt song, I thought of my favorite song of his and decided to post the lyrics. Songs are often personal turning points, and I’m sure this song was a spark for my interest in the saints and their involvement in or distance from the life of the individual artist. Jay Farrar (of Uncle Tupelo fame) has a voice that deeply resonates in the heart of many. Anyway, here is a transcription of the song I found on the Web somewhere a while back. If I got any of the lyrics wrong, please let me know.  The official Son Volt site is here:

“Tear Stained Eye”

Walking down Main Street
Getting to know the concrete
Looking for a purpose from a neon sign
I would meet you anywhere the western sun meets the air
We’ll hit the road, never looking behind

CHORUS:
Can you deny, there’s nothing greater
Nothing more than the traveling hands of time?
Sainte Genevieve can hold back the water
But saints don’t bother with a tear stained eye

Seeing traces of the scars that came before
Hitting the pavement still asking for more
When the hours don’t move along,
Worn-out wood and familiar songs
To hear your voice is not enough
It’s more than a shame

Chorus:

Like the man said, rode hard and put away wet
Throw away the bad news, and put it to rest
If learning is living, and the truth is a state of mind
You’ll find it’s better at the end of the line.

CHORUS:
Can you deny, there’s nothing greater
Nothing more than the traveling hands of time?
Sainte Genevieve can hold back the water
But saints don’t bother with a tear stained eye.

Upcoming Interviews: I have some great interviews promised for this blog, including Singer/songwriters Trish Murphy, Irish legend Jim Crowley, Brendan Nolan, and Doyle Jeter, a great patron and promoter of the arts in Northeast Louisiana.  There are also several visual artists I hope to interview.

For today’s post, I wanted to add another song I want to add to my Americana show.  I feel it’s another reflection on the ephemeral nature of one’s life.

Adios Days by Pat Green

Adios days in the wide open prairie,
Nights on the canyon are gone,
Steven is dead and Johnny got married,
Me I’m here all on my own.
I’m all on my own.

I used to have nights on the town of Laredo,
Spinning them girls cross the floor,
Now I’m too old for dancing
And too far gone for the whiskey,
So I don’t go down there no more.

Chorus

My dad was a top hand
When he was a young man,
Rode for the Diamond-Bar-J,
He’d push all day long
From the back of his pony,
At nighttime he’d gather the strays.

He hated the cities
And he cussed all the railroads,
Said they would lead us to fall,
Now we have streetcars
And the cowboy is dying,
I guess he weren’t too far from wrong.