FOR THE SAKE OF THE SONG
(Townes Van Zandt) 


Townes Van Zandt - 1968





Oh, why does she sing her sad songs for me, I'm not the one
To tenderly bring her soft sympathy, I've just begun
To see my way clear and it's plain if I stop I will fall
I can lay down a tear for her pain, just a tear and that's all

Oh, what does she want me to do
She says that she knows that moments are rare, I suppose that it's true
Then on she goes to say I don't care or she knows that I do
Maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song
And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong

She'd like to think I was cruel, but she knows that's a lie, for I would be
No more than a tool if I allowed her to cry all over me
All my sorrow is real even though I can't change my plans
If she could see how I feel, then I know that she'd understand

Oh, does she actually think I'm to blame
Does she really believe that some word of mine could relieve all her pain
Can't she see that she grieves just because she's been blindly deceived by her shame
Oh, maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song
And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong

Oh, but nothin's what it seems, maybe she'll start someday to realize
If she abandons her dreams, then all the words she can say are only lies
Oh, why can't she see that to gain is only to lose
All that she offers me are her chains and I got to refuse

Oh, but it's only to herself that she's lied
She likes to pretend there's somethin' that she should defend with her pride
And I don't intend to stand here and be the friend from whom she must hide
Oh, maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song
And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2013)