No Lonesome Tune
Townes Van Zandt Lyrics
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Ah, babe, I'm a-commin' soon
I cannot believe I stayed so long away
But a man must look around
And you're the sweetest thing I've found
Your lost high roller's rollin' home today
My daddy said to me
"Son, it's hard as you will see
To find someone upon whom to rely"
In the kitchen mama sneezed
And he grinned big as you please
Said "bless you" and a tear come to his eye
I did decide that very day
That I would like to live that way
And now I know I just been wastin' time
It's with you that I should be
If you feel the same 'bout me
I'm headed home along the straightest line
In "No Lonesome Tune," Townes Van Zandt narrates a story of a man who has been away for some time but is now heading back to his lover. The lyrics are a declaration of his love and an apology for staying away for far too long. He affirms that he is not going to sing a sad song anymore because he is now on his way back to the one person that he loves. The song exhibits the theme of love, commitment, and hope.
The singer's father's advice is also included in the lyrics. His father tells him about the challenges of finding a reliable partner, and he gleefully blesses the mother when she sneezes, which further emphasizes his belief in commitment and love. The song presents a hopeful message that love can endure and that happy endings exist.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't gonna sing no lonesome tune
I refuse to sing a sad song because I am finally coming back to you
Ah, babe, I'm a-commin' soon
My beloved, I am on my way back to you
I cannot believe I stayed so long away
I'm amazed that I have been away from you for so long
But a man must look around
A man must explore his surroundings
And you're the sweetest thing I've found
Out of everything that I have discovered, you are the most precious
Your lost high roller's rollin' home today
I, a once wayward man of high stature, am coming back to you
My daddy said to me
My father spoke to me
"Son, it's hard as you will see
"Son, life is tough as you will soon find
To find someone upon whom to rely"
It's challenging to find a reliable person in this world
In the kitchen mama sneezed
My mother sneezed while she was in the kitchen
And he grinned big as you please
My father's face lit up with joy
Said "bless you" and a tear come to his eye
He blessed my mother and shed a tear of happiness
I did decide that very day
I made a firm decision that day
That I would like to live that way
I chose to live by that principle (reliance on another person)
And now I know I just been wastin' time
I realize now that I have been wasting time without you
It's with you that I should be
I belong with you
If you feel the same 'bout me
If you reciprocate my feelings
I'm headed home along the straightest line
I'm coming home directly to you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Townes van Zandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind