Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
Townes Van Zandt
It is believed that Townes wrote this song on a hotel bed in New York City.
When Townes was a college student he was treated for schizophrenia and manic depression using a discredited procedure called Insulin Coma Therapy (ICT). A symptom of these treatments is very labored breathing.
TVZ once sai...
[Verse 1]
Well, won't you lend your lungs to me?
Mine are collapsing
Plant my feet and bitterly breathe
Up the time that's passing
Breath I'll take and breath I'll give
And pray the day's not poison
Stand among the ones that live
In lonely indecision
[Verse 2]
With fingers walk the darkness down
Mind is on the midnight
Gather up the gold you've found
You fool, it's only moonlight
If you try to take it home
Your hands will turn to butter
You better leave this dream alone
Try to find another
[Verse 3]
Salvation sat and crossed herself
Called the devil partner
Wisdom burned upon a shelf
Who'll kill the raging cancer
Seal the river at its mouth
Take the water prisoner
Fill the sky with screams and cries
Bathe in fiery answers
[Instrumental Verse]
[Verse 4]
Well Jesus was an only son
And love his only concept
Strangers cry in foreign tongues
And dirty up the doorstep
And I for one, and you for two
Ain't got the time for outside
Keep your injured looks to you
And we'll tell the world that we tried
Lungs (Live at the Old Quarter) was written by Townes Van Zandt.
Lungs (Live at the Old Quarter) was produced by Earl Willis.
Townes Van Zandt released Lungs (Live at the Old Quarter) on Fri Apr 01 1977.