Guy Clark - Texas Songwriter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNmnzwGT4Ic

Guy Clark songs touch my soul like few others. He hits either a nostalgic nerve or one that rings of true philosophy. "Texas 1947", "L.A. Freeway", "A Nickel for the Fiddler", "Virginia's Reel", and "Stuff That Works" are just a few examples.

Some of his songs have wonderful lines.

"This living on the edge of the waters of the world,
Demands the dignity of whooping cranes and the likes of Gilbert Roland.".... South Coast of Texas

Colman's mama said, "Somebody's gotta do it!"
"There wouldn't be no Kentucky if you didn't stick to it." ....New Cut Road

Below are the lyrics of one of his newest. The word hearken back to an earlier time in my life.

SOUTH TEXAS GIRL

Written by Guy Clark
Performed by Lyle Lovett

We're three in the front seat and they sat on each side.
That green-and-white '58 Fairlane would glide,
Down farm roads past open fields, seeming like no big deal,
As it was happening. I never felt a thing.

But now looking back, it seems like it was everything.
Singing with mom just so we could hear ourselves sing.
Stealing a drink from the cold can in daddy's lap,
Protected by only a small thin brown paper sack.

And the wind blew the echoes of long-faded voices,
And they'd sing me a song that the old cowboys sang.
And I didn't know what the words meant or anything.
I was just singing because I was supposed to.

Saint Mother Maria, watch over us please,
As we wonder around in this dangerous world.
Thank Mother Maria, there's nothing so sweet,
As the undying love of a South Texas girl.

And with the windows wide open, it felt hot to us anyway.
Three bound together on a day just like any day.
They told me and taught me, and showed me and bought me,
Whatever I wanted from the corner U-tote-M.

They said the name Corpus Christi means the body of Jesus.
Pronounce it Ref-fury-oh 'cause city folks they don't know.
It looks like Palacios but sounds like Pah-lashus.
Just listen the next time you're watchin' Sid Lasher.

And the wind blew the echoes of long-faded voices,
And they would sing me a song that the old cowboys sang.
And I didn't know what the words meant or anything.
I was just singing.

Saint Mother Maria, watch over us please,
As we wonder around in this dangerous world.
Thank Mother Maria, there's nothing so sweet,
As the undying love of a South Texas girl.

And I didn't know what the words meant or anything.
I was just singing.

And these days with car seats and open container laws,
Social correctness leaves no room for Santa Claus.
Sitting right next to me, she looks like that "used to be"
Song that they sang for me.

And with the windows wide open it feels hot to us anyway,
Two bound together on a day just like any day.

And the wind blows the echoes of long-faded voices,
And they sing us a song that the old cowboys sang.
And now that I know what the words mean and everything,
I am still singing.

Saint Mother Maria, watch over us please,
As we wonder around in this dangerous world.
Thank Mother Maria, there's nothing so sweet,
As the undying love of a South Texas girl.

Saint Mother Maria, watch over us please,
As we stumble around in this dangerous world.
Thank Mother Maria, there's nothing so sweet,
As the undying love of a South Texas girl.

As the undying love of a South Texas girl.