The older I get the more I realize that everyone around me is getting older as well. While this isn’t a revelation, it’s a common overlooked observation. We are all on the same course, the same path, the same end point. Some may be sooner rather than later, and while some may have the genes or the grace to live longer, we all meet the end.
When I was young, I didn’t think about tomorrow, I thought about today…with little focus on the future. Until I started listening to Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Waylon Jennings. They helped me grow up. They spoke about relationships, boozin, getting into trouble, working hard, fighting for what you wanted and overall being you. They helped me develop Me.
Guy Clark passed away.
He was one of the most prolific Texas singer songwriters of our time. He stood with very few in his realm of quality songwriting, and being able to make words resonate inside folks for years.
I can remember a time in college when I was having a hard time with a girl…as we all do. The song “Like a coat from the cold” came on and I knew after truly listening to the words that she just wasn’t my coat from the cold anymore. She wasn’t for me. That was a terrible day, which started a terrible year but without knowing that day, I believe I wouldn’t be as happy as I am today. “To walk through my life like a coat from the cold”
“Wish I had a dime for every bad time, but the bad times always seem to keep the change”
I have listened to LA freeway, trying to get off the damn LA Freeway. And I have intentionally picked up the box of nilla wafers when I moved out of an apartment.
“I’ll be down the road in a cloud of smoke to some land I ain’t bought bought bought”
I have gone to Texas Chili Parlor and had multiple mad dog margaritas and every time I see a train I think, TRAINS ARE BIG AND BLACK AND SMOKIN.
Townes Van Zandt, Waylon Jennings and now Guy Clark.
We wouldn’t have had any of the guys we do today without them. No Robert Keen, no Jack Ingram, no Lyle, no Pat, no Sam, no, Sturgill, no Chris, no Keith. The list is so long.
Someone once told me it’s not what you do for yourself that matters, it’s what you do for others.
Guy Clark did something for me that I will always carry with me, and thank the Good Lord above that his music will live on, even though he is now gone. Every strum and flick of a string, every rough throaty word, every boot heel tap, every adios.
I’ll leave you with this, and tonight I’m toasting Mr. Clark, God Bless you Sir.
I wish I was in Austin
In the Chili Parlour Bar
Drinkin’ Mad Dog Margaritas
And not carin’ where you are
But here I sit in Dublin
Just rollin’ cigarettes
Holdin’ back and chokin’ back
The shakes with every breath
Forgive me all my anger
Forgive me all my faults
There’s no need to forgive me
For thinkin what I thought
I loved you from the git go
I’ll love you till I die
I loved you on the Spanish steps
The day you said goodbye
The Preppy Texan 