MANY A FINE LADY
(Townes Van Zandt)


Townes VanZandt - 1968



 

Well it's many a fine lady who's walked along beside me
With their flesh made of velvet and their eyes made of rain
Well 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
Well her sorrows were heavy and her laughter was slow
Well I courted her gently and I loved her most dearly
And I came her majestic reflections to know

Oh, her words like a mountain stood lonely and lofty
With her face like a daydream and her hair like the shawl
Worn by a mourner as he steals away softly
>From those that would have him mourn nothin' at all

Oh, endlessly sorrow rode high on the north wind
Slashin' and slicin' to take him his toll
And endlessly creatures of darkness were cuttin'
Their paths through the walls that shelter the soul

Oh, but no longer gypsy like sadness unending
Well her eyes they lay hollow and her face petrified
Well some will go laughin' and others condemnin'
But who there among you could have told her goodbye






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - November 2013)