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.
South Coast Of Texas
Guy Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It' s salty and hard it it stern as a knife
Where the wind is for blwon' up hurricanes for showin'
The snakes how to swim and the trees how to lean
Chorus
The shrimpers and their ladies are out in the beer joints
Drinkin' em down for they sail with the dawn
And the deck hands are singin' adios Jole Blon
There's snowbirds in search of that sunshine and night life
And fond of greasin' palms down the beach as they're goin'
This livin' on the edge of the waters of the world
Demands the dignity of whooping cranes and
The likes of Gilbert Roland
Chorus
In the cars of my youth how I tore through those sand dunes
Cut up my tires on them oyster shell roads
But nothin' is forever say the old men in the shipyards
Turnin' trees into shrimp oats Hell I guess they ought to know
Chorus
The lyrics to Guy Clark's song South Coast Of Texas describe the rugged, harsh, and salty existence of life along the south coast of Texas, where the wind is strong enough to blow up hurricanes and capable of teaching snakes how to swim and trees how to lean. The chorus speaks to the lifestyle of the shrimpers and their ladies who frequent the beer joints, drinking before setting sail with the dawn for the Bay of Campche in Mexico while the deckhands sing adios Jole Blon. The song also acknowledges the presence of snowbirds, tourists in search of sunshine and nightlife, and their fondness of greasing palms down the beach. The lyrics reference the dignity of whooping cranes and the likes of Gilbert Roland, acknowledging the significance of the natural world and the people who have been shaped by it. The cars of the singer's youth are described as tearing through sand dunes and cutting up tires on oyster shell roads, but the passage of time and the wisdom of the old men in the shipyards suggest that nothing is forever.
The song paints a vivid picture of life on the south coast of Texas, highlighting the resilience and strength of the people who call it home. Despite the harsh and sometimes dangerous conditions, there is a sense of camaraderie among the shrimpers and their families, who gather in the beer joints before setting out to sea. The lyrics also acknowledge the impact of tourism on the region, and the tension that exists between the natural world and the desire for development and progress. Throughout the song, there is a reverence for the land and sea, and an appreciation for the history and traditions of the region.
Line by Line Meaning
The south coast of Texas is a thin slice of life
The area along the southern coast of Texas is a small and limited portion of existence.
It's salty and hard it it stern as a knife
The environment is rough, with high salt content and tough terrain.
Where the wind is for blwon' up hurricanes for showin'
The area is prone to destructive hurricanes that demonstrate the power of wind.
The snakes how to swim and the trees how to lean
The animals and plants in the area have adapted to the unique conditions, with snakes able to swim and trees bending to the strong winds.
The shrimpers and their ladies are out in the beer joints
The local shrimpers and their partners frequent the local bars and taverns for drinks.
Drinkin' em down for they sail with the dawn
They drink quickly before setting sail early in the morning.
They're bound for the Mexican Bay of Campche
Their destination is the Bay of Campeche in Mexico.
And the deck hands are singin' adios Jole Blon
The deckhands sing a farewell song called 'Adios Jole Blon'.
There's snowbirds in search of that sunshine and night life
Tourists flock to the area for warm weather and entertainment.
And fond of greasin' palms down the beach as they're goin'
They are known to bribe locals for favors as they travel along the shore.
This livin' on the edge of the waters of the world
Living near the ocean's edge is both exhilarating and hazardous.
Demands the dignity of whooping cranes and
Respect and reverence is expected for the endangered whooping cranes living in the area.
The likes of Gilbert Roland
And for artists like Gilbert Roland who appreciate the Southern Texas Coast.
In the cars of my youth how I tore through those sand dunes
The singer recalls driving recklessly through the sandy hills in his younger days.
Cut up my tires on them oyster shell roads
The rocky, uneven roads often damage tires, sometimes caused by scattered oyster shells.
But nothin' is forever say the old men in the shipyards
The elders who work in the shipyards remind us that nothing lasts forever.
Turnin' trees into shrimp oats Hell I guess they ought to know
The shipyard workers, who turn trees into materials for shrimping boats, are well acquainted with the fleeting nature of life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: GUY CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind