Townes Van Zandt(1944-1997) was a singer-songwriter, born in Texasto a life on the road. Van Zandt was master of the small, intimate folkperformance, such as the July 1973 show that became Live At The Old Quarter Houston, Texas, the double album on Tomato Records. As the Austin Chroniclewrites of the re-released CD, "Alone with a guitar, he hushes the crowd with his visionary tunes that are by turns haunting and eccentric, yet filled with beauty and dark shadows." Despite chronic battles with alcoholism and depression, his songwriting displayed a sense of humour and introspection, truth and beauty. Many artists cite Townes' influence on their music, with covers of his songs recorded by the likes of Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Jeffrey Foucault, Cowboy Junkies, The Be Good Tanyasand others. His son John T.
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Billy, Boney And Ma Lyrics
Townes Van Zandt
By townes van zandt
Well, billy went down to the battleground
To find a little trinket he could call his own
Didnt see nothin lying around
He decided hed dig awhile
Well he dug her up and he dug her down
fore too long he found some bones
Poor little billy couldnt make a sound
When the bones sat up and smiled
Oh billy you seem like a fine young man
No reason to be a tremblin soul
Come over here and shake my hand
Make my proud acquaintance
Well billy he was stunned he could hardly stand
Whether he could move he didnt know
But he knew he had to formulate some kinda plan
Or try the bonemans patience
The first thing he wanted to do was breathe
So he gulped in some of that battleground air
Next thing he wanted to do was leave
But billy wasnt raised up rude
Well the boneman grunted and he gave a heave
All of a sudden he was loomin there
Shakin off dirt and actin pleased
Things didnt look too good
Well billy decided what the hell
You dont meet a boneman every day
A little bit skinny but you never can tell
He might be a pretty good guy
Well they started off with the old soft sell
fore too long they were jawin away
By the time the darkness fell
They were seein socket to eye
They decided right then on a life of crime
With the bonemans looks and billys brains
They could scare old scrooge out of his last dime
Might as well have a go
Billy he would picked the place and time
From the corner store to the railroad train
Boneyd flash him a smile sublime
And billy hed grab the dough
They decided they might as well start right then
Times awastin so they say
They headed for the park
Where the lights are dim
And only the foolish tread
He was whistlin a tune
When they spotted him strollin along
So plump and gay
Boney gave him a great big grin
And billy snagged his bread
Next come a lady of the night
Boney saddled up and said hello
Gave the poor thing such a terrible fright
She fainted dead away
Billy lifted her purse and her earrings bright
Diamond rings and watch you know
Couldnt figure out try as they might
Why theyd ever worked a single day
Billys plans ended up in ruin you know
They were workin a quaint little neighborhood
Spied an old lady about eighty or so
Almost looked too easy
Boney put on a pretty good show
The little ol lady didnt see too good
My kind sir your all bones you know
You need something hot and greasy
Grabbed ol boney drug him inside
Billy peeked in through the window sill
She fed him boiled and baked and fried
Ol boney hes chewin like crazy
He gobbled up everything he tried
Pounds added on like you know they will
Billy laid down in the dirt and cried
Watchin boney gettin fat and lazy
Well billys back workin his job by day
Sleepn nights it aint so bad
Never liked stealin anyway
Kinda gives a guy the willies
Boney and ma got a new cafe
Best baked beans you ever had
Mas expecting any day
And they say theyre gonna name him billy