Clark was born in Monahans, Texas and eventually settled in Nashville, where he helped create the progressive country and outlaw country genres. His songs "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a Train" that helped launch his career were covered by numerous performers.
He was an accomplished luthier and often played his own guitars. He achieved success as a songwriter with Jerry Jeff Walker’s recordings of "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting For A Train". Artists such as Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Brad Paisley, John Denver, Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell, The Highwaymen, and Kenny Chesney have recorded Clark’s songs. Emmylou Harris has accompanied him on several recordings, particularly his own version of "Desperados Waiting For A Train" on his first album, Old No. 1, released in 1975. Clark is frequently referred to as "The Fifth Highwayman".
Clark has been a mentor to such other singers as Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell. He organized Earle's first job as a writer in Nashville. In the 1970s, the Clarks' home in Nashville was an open house for songwriters and musicians and it features in the documentary Heartworn Highways, an evocation of the songwriter scene in Nashville at that time. (Snapper/Catfish, 1981/2003, with Townes Van Zandt, David Allan Coe, and Steve Earle). Numerous artists have charted with Clark-penned tunes. In 1982, Bobby Bare made it to the Country Top Twenty with Clark’s "New Cut Road". That same year, bluegrass leader Ricky Skaggs hit No. 1 with Clark’s "Heartbroke", a song that permanently established his reputation as an ingenious songwriter. Among the many others who have covered Clark's songs are Vince Gill, who took "Oklahoma Borderline" to the Top Ten in 1985; The Highwaymen, who introduced "Desperados Waiting For A Train" to a new generation that same year; and John Conlee, whose interpretation of “The Carpenter” rode into the Top Ten in 1987.
Steve Wariner took his cover of Clark's "Baby I’m Yours" to No. 1 in 1988; Asleep at the Wheel charted with Clark's "Blowin’ Like a Bandit" the same year. Crowell was Clark’s co-writer on "She’s Crazy for Leavin’", which in 1989 became the third of five straight #l hits for Crowell. Brad Paisley and Alan Jackson cover Clark’s "Out in the Parkin' Lot," co-written with Darrell Scott, on Paisley's Time Well Wasted CD. Jimmy Buffett has covered Clark’s "Boats to Build" and "Cinco de Mayo in Memphis". Clark credits Townes Van Zandt as being a major influence on his songwriting. They were best friends for many years until Van Zandt's death in 1997, and since then Clark has included one of Van Zandt's compositions on most of his albums. In 1995, he recorded a live album with Van Zandt and Steve Earle, Together at the Bluebird Cafe, which was released in October 2001. Other live material can be found on his album Keepers.
In 2006 Clark released Workbench Songs. The album was nominated for "Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album" at the Grammy Awards. He also toured with Lyle Lovett, Joe Ely, and John Hiatt in 2004, 2005 and 2007.
In May 2008, Clark canceled four concerts after breaking his leg. After two months on crutches, he began to perform again on July 4 at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, DC where he appeared with Verlon Thompson. On June 20, 2009, Clark announced a new album entitled "Somedays the Song Writes You" which was released on September 22, 2009. It features originals along with a Townes Van Zandt song entitled "If I Needed You".
In December 2011 This One's For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark (a two-CD set) was released by Icehouse Music.
Guy Clark won the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2014 for My Favorite Picture of You.
On May 17, 2016, Clark's death was announced on his Facebook page.
Clark was married to songwriter and artist, Susanna Clark from 1972 through her death from cancer on June 27, 2012.
Soldier
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
T'was a bullet bit my leg, right off I got sick
I came to in a wagon load of ten more wounded men
Five was dead by the time we reached that bloody tent
Gimme some of that Soldier's Joy, you know what I mean
I don't want to hurt no more my leg is turnin' green
Your dancin' days are done, son, it's a wonder you ain't dead
Then he went to work with a carvin' knife sweat fell from his brow
'Bout killed me tryin' to save my life when he cut that lead ball out
Give me some of that Soldier's Joy, ain't you got no more
Hand me down my walkin' cane I ain't cut out for war
Red blood run right through my veins run all over the floor
Run right down his apron strings like a river out the door
He handed me a bottle and said, son drink deep as you can
He turned away then he turned right back with a hacksaw in his hand
Gimme some of that Soldier's Joy you know what I like
Bear down on that fiddle boys just like Saturday night
Gimme some of that Soldier's Joy you know what I crave
I'll be hittin' that Soldier's Joy til I'm in my grave
The song "Soldier's Joy 1864" by Guy Clark tells the story of a soldier who gets wounded in battle and is taken to a makeshift hospital where he receives medical attention. The opening lines of the song describe the moment the soldier gets shot, mistaking it for a snake bite. As he regains consciousness in a wagon packed with other wounded soldiers, he realizes the extent of his injury as he witnesses the death of five of his comrades before arriving at the medical tent.
Line by Line Meaning
First I thought a snake had got me it happened dreadful quick
At first, I believed that a snake had bitten me, but it was actually a bullet that hit my leg, and I felt the pain instantly.
T'was a bullet bit my leg, right off I got sick
The moment the bullet hit my leg, I felt ill or nauseated and weak.
I came to in a wagon load of ten more wounded men
I regained consciousness while traveling in a wagon full of ten other soldiers who were wounded like me.
Five was dead by the time we reached that bloody tent
Out of the ten wounded soldiers in the wagon, five had already died when we got to the tent.
Gimme some of that Soldier's Joy, you know what I mean
Please give me some of the alcohol called Soldier's Joy to numb my pain, euphoric and forget my suffering.
I don't want to hurt no more my leg is turnin' green
I don't want to feel any more pain, and the color of my leg suggests that it's infected and needs attention.
The doctor came and looked at me and this is what he said
When the doctor came to examine me, he said the bitter truth about my fate.
Your dancin' days are done, son, it's a wonder you ain't dead
Your carefree and happy days are over, my boy. It's a surprise that you're alive to tell your story.
Then he went to work with a carvin' knife sweat fell from his brow
The doctor started working on my wound with a carving knife, sweating from the effort.
'Bout killed me tryin' to save my life when he cut that lead ball out
Although he tried to save my life, cutting the bullet out with the knife almost killed me.
Give me some of that Soldier's Joy, ain't you got no more
I need more of that alcoholic drink because the pain is unbearable and I can't take it anymore.
Hand me down my walkin' cane I ain't cut out for war
Please pass me my walking cane since I'm not built for fighting in wars.
Red blood run right through my veins run all over the floor
My veins pump red blood, which flowed all over the tent's floor, wetting even my doctor's apron.
Run right down his apron strings like a river out the door
The blood continued to run down the doctor's apron, creating a river ahead of him as he moved toward the exit.
He handed me a bottle and said, son drink deep as you can
The doctor offered me another bottle of Soldier's Joy, asking me to drink as much as I could handle.
He turned away then he turned right back with a hacksaw in his hand
The doctor went away for a second, only to return with a hacksaw in hand.
Gimme some of that Soldier's Joy you know what I like
I need more Soldier's Joy because I enjoy it, and it helps me forget the pain.
Bear down on that fiddle boys just like Saturday night
Play the fiddle loudly, boys, like we do on Saturday night, when we forget our worries and sorrows.
Gimme some of that Soldier's Joy you know what I crave
Give me more of that Soldier's Joy that I desire so I can numb my pain and forget my troubles.
I'll be hittin' that Soldier's Joy til I'm in my grave
I'll keep drinking Soldier's Joy for relief and forgetfulness until the day I die.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GUY CLARK, SHAWN CAMP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@susanMarkle
I used to years ago listen to my dad play soldier joy on the banjo and I danced. This really brought back memories. Loved this video. I'm 84. Just trying to stay busy and love the old tunes.
@hikrose
susan Markle this is not the same song Soldiers Joy that is the old-time classic.
@jamesoliver6625
@@hikrose Yes..it is, done in a minor key and with the true story. Play it at 1,5 playback speed and imagine it NOT in the minor key. Go back to the original Will the Circle Be Unbroken album and play that version. Just like this when played at 1.5 here with out the lyrics and key change.
@bcg911
A sad day today, but thankful for lots of great songs and music to remember and thank Guy for! This is one of my favorites!
@JackOstinato
Moderne Versionen lassen es wie eine fröhliche Melodie klingen.
Aber offensichtlich war es alles andere als glücklich.
@kosmokritikos9299
WAHR. Es ist eine Klage, die Schmerz, Sucht und den Schrecken des Krieg beschreibt.
@PickingGaz1972
Makes listening to music good again ! thank you
@tronduick7028
May I gently add wiki informs us this song has old, old roots; much older than Civil War and good enough to attract the attention of Robert Burns. My first cousin and A-Team fiddler Buddy Spicher played this for Bill Ford at the launch of the expansion of the CM Hall of Fame in Nashville in July 2011. Thanks for wonderful post, lordjorach. Beautiful.
@robertdavies82
This is the best. 😊
@beckwells25
I met a guy at the Walnut Valley Festival, a clockmaker named David, and that was the first time I heard this song. I love it! So fun! Tragic, but fun! 🤣