Townes Van Zandt Lyrics

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I come to you with empty hands
I guess I just forgot again
I only got my love to send
On Valentine's Day

I ain't got a card to sign
Roses have been hard to find
I only hope that you'll be mine

On Valentine's Day
I know that I swore that I wouldn't forget
I wrote it all down, I lost it I guess
There's so much I want to say
But all the words just slip away

The way you love me every day
Is Valentine's Day

If I could I would deliver to you
Diamonds and gold; it's the least I can do
So if you'll take my IOU
I could make it up to you

Until then I hope my heart will do
For Valentine's Day

Overall Meaning

The song "Valentine's Day" by Guy Clark, Steve Earle, and Townes Van Zandt is a simple yet heartfelt ode to love and the struggles of expressing it. The first verse starts with the singer admitting that he has empty hands and has forgotten Valentine's Day yet again, but he only has his love to send. The second verse is a continuation of this sparse declaration of love, with the singer explaining that he has no card to sign and roses were hard to find, but he hopes that the recipient will still be his. The third verse is where the singer delves into his feelings, admitting that he had promised not to forget but lost his written reminder. He acknowledges that he has so much to say, but the words slip away from him.

Line by Line Meaning

I come to you with empty hands
I have no gifts, nothing to offer

I guess I just forgot again
I have a habit of forgetting Valentine's Day

I only got my love to send
All I have is my love to give you

On Valentine's Day
The day when love is celebrated

I ain't got a card to sign
I didn't buy you a card

Roses have been hard to find
I couldn't find any roses to give you

I only hope that you'll be mine
I hope you still love me

On Valentine's Day
The day when love is celebrated

I know that I swore that I wouldn't forget
I promised I wouldn't forget this day

I wrote it all down, I lost it I guess
I wrote a reminder, but lost it

There's so much I want to say
I have a lot of things to tell you