Delta Momma Blues

By townes van zandt
Proofread and authorized by jeanene van zandt


I used to wake and run with the moon
I lived like a rake and a young man
I covered my lovers with flowers and wounds
My laughter the devil would frighten
The sun she would come and beat me back down
But every cruel day had its nightfall
I'd welcome the stars with wine and guitars
Full of fire and forgetful


My body was sharp the dark air clean
And outrage my joyful companion
Whisperin' women how sweet did they seem
Kneelin' for me to command them
And time was like water but i was the sea
I'd have never noticed it passin'
Except for the turnin' of night into day
And the turnin' of day into cursin'


You look at me now, and don't think i don't know
What all your eyes are a sayin'
Does he want us to believe these ravings and lies
They're just tricks that his brains been a playin'?
A lover of women he can't hardly stand
He trembles he's bent and he's broken
I've fallen it's true but i say unto you
Hold your tongues until after i've spoken


I was takin' my pride in the pleasures i'd known
I laughed and thought i'd be forgiven
But my laughter turned 'round eyes blazing and
Said my friend, we're holdin' a wedding
I buried my face but it spoke once again
The night to the day we're a bindin'
And now the dark air is like fire on my skin
And even the moonlight is blinding

By townes van zandt

Hey mama, when you leave
Don't leave a thing behind
I don't want nothin'
I can't use nothin'


Take care into the hall
And if you see my friends
Tell them i'm fine
Not using nothin'


Almost burned out my eyes
Threw my ears down to the floor
I didn't see nothin'
I didn't hear nothin'


I stood there like a block of stone
Knowin' all i had to know
And nothin' more
Man, that's nothin'


As brothers our troubles are
Locked in each others arms
And you better pray
They never find you


Your back ain't strong enough
For burdens doublefold
They'd crush you down
Down into nothin'


Being born is going blind
And buying down a thousand times
To echoes strung
On pure temptation


Sorrow and solitude
These are the precious things
And the only words
That are worth rememberin'

By townes van zandt

Could it be the season's changin'
The winds of winter rearranging
All the leaves like fallin' queens of sorrow
Could be the freezing rain a-fallin'
Could be sad september callin'
Or maybe its knowin' she'll be gone
Come tomorrow


Well, it's strange how many tortured mornings
Fell upon us with no warning
Lookin' for a smile to beg and borrow
It's over now, there is no returning
A thousand bridges sadly burning
And light the way i have to walk alone
Come tomorrow


I guess that no amount of lying
To myself will stop the crying
I guess i have to take things like they are
The facts are plain to see, it's only
That i ain't used to being lonely
Like i'm gonna be without you
Come tomorrow


Come tomorrow

By townes van zandt

So close and yet so far away
And all the things i'd hoped to say
Will have to go unsaid today
Perhaps until tomorrow
Your fear has built a wall between
Our lives and all what lovin' means
Will have to go unfelt it seems
And that leaves only sorrow


You built your tower strong and tall
Can't you see it's got to fall some day


You close your eyes and speak to me
Of faith and love and destiny
As distant as eternity,
Truth and understanding
The wind blows cold outside your door
It whispers words i've tried before
But you don't hear me anymore
Your pride's just too demanding


The end is coming soon, it's plain
A warm bed just ain't worth the pain
And i will go and you'll remain
With the bitterness we tasted
A mother's breast, a newborn child
A poet's tear, and drunken smile
Can't help thinkin' all the while
Their meaning won't be wasted

By townes van zandt

Come away with me,
My little delta boy
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
And if you stay you'll see
That i bring you lots of joy
I turn those little teardrops to a smile


Well, if you're blue don't cry
Just wander right downtown
You can find your delta mama waitin' there
Well, i thought you knew that i
Would never let you down
I can ease your mind and take away your cares


Come away with me,
My little delta boy
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
And if you stay you'll see
That i bring you lots of joy
I turn those little teardrops to a smile


Well, if the grass goes brown
Don't you hang your head too low
Well, there ain't no need for you to sit and pine
If you'll just ask around
I'm sure someone will know
Just exactly what it takes to get you back to feelin fine


Well, if you don't know by now
What i've been tryin' so hard to say
Well my delta boy i'm afraid you're up to tight
But you take it slow and somehow
You come meandering out my way
And i'll take you in my arms and make it right


Ah, come away with me,
My little delta boy
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
And if you stay you'll see
That i bring you lots of joy
I turn those little teardrops to a smile