In 1983, six years after Emmylou Harris had first popularized it, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard covered his song "Pancho and Lefty", reaching number one on the Billboard country music chart. Much of Van Zandt’s life was spent touring various dive bars, often living in cheap motel rooms and backwoods cabins. For much of the 1970s, he lived in a simple shack without electricity or a phone.
His influence has been cited by countless artists across multiple genres, and his music has been recorded or performed by numerous artists, including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, The Counting Crows, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen Jr., Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, Wade Bowen, Gillian Welch, Pat Green and Natalie Maines.
He suffered from a series of drug addictions, alcoholism, and was given a psychiatric diagnosis of bipolar disorder. When he was young, the now-discredited insulin shock therapy erased much of his long-term memory.
Van Zandt died on New Years Day 1997 from cardiac arrythmia caused by health problems stemming from years of substance abuse. A revival of interest in Van Zandt occurred in the 2000s. During the decade, two books, a documentary film (Be Here to Love Me), and numerous magazine articles about the singer were written.
Born in Fort Worth into a wealthy family, Van Zandt was a third-great-grandson of Isaac Van Zandt (a prominent leader of the Republic of Texas) and a second great-nephew of Khleber Miller Van Zandt (a major in the Confederate army and one of the founders of Fort Worth). Van Zandt County in east Texas was named after his family in 1848.
Townes's parents were Harris Williams Van Zandt (1913–1966) and Dorothy Townes (1919–1983). He had two siblings, Bill and Donna (1941–2011). Harris was a corporate lawyer, and his career required the family to move several times during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1952, the family transplanted from Fort Worth to Midland, Texas, for six months before moving to Billings, Montana.
At Christmas in 1956, Townes's father gave him a guitar, which he practiced while wandering the countryside. He would later tell an interviewer that "watching Elvis Presley's October 28, 1956, performance on The Ed Sullivan Show was the starting point for me becoming a guitar player... I just thought that Elvis had all the money in the world, all the Cadillacs and all the girls, and all he did was play the guitar and sing. That made a big impression on me." In 1958 the family moved to Boulder, Colorado. Van Zandt would remember his time in Colorado fondly and would often visit it as an adult. He would later refer to Colorado in "My Proud Mountains", "Colorado Girl", and "Snowin' on Raton". Townes was a good student and active in team sports. In grade school, he received a high IQ score, and his parents began grooming him to become a lawyer or senator. Fearing that his family would move again, he willingly decided to attend the Shattuck School, in Faribault, Minnesota. He received a score of 1170 when he took the SAT in January 1962. His family soon moved to Houston, Texas.
The University of Colorado at Boulder accepted Van Zandt as a student in 1962. In the spring of his second year, his parents flew to Boulder to bring Townes back to Houston, apparently worried about his binge drinking and episodes of depression. They admitted him to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he was diagnosed with manic depression. He received three months of insulin shock therapy, which erased much of his long-term memory. Afterwards, his mother claimed her "biggest regret in life was that she had allowed that treatment to occur". In 1965, he was accepted into the University of Houston's pre-law program. Soon after he attempted to join the Air Force, but was rejected because of a doctor's diagnosis that labelled him "an acute manic-depressive who has made minimal adjustments to life". He quit school around 1967, having been inspired by his singer-songwriter heroes to pursue a career in playing music.
Van Zandt was addicted to heroin and alcohol throughout his adult life. At times he would become drunk on stage and forget the lyrics to his songs. At one point, his heroin habit was so intense that he offered Kevin Eggers the publishing rights to all of the songs on each of his first four albums for $20. At various points, his friends saw him shoot up not just heroin, but also cocaine, vodka, as well as a mixture of rum and Coke. On at least one occasion, he shot up heroin in the presence of his son J.T., who was only eight years old at the time.
As a result of Van Zandt's constant drinking, Harold Eggers, Kevin's brother, was hired on as his tour manager and 24-hour caretaker in 1976, a partnership that would last for the rest of the singer's life. Although the musician was many years older than he was, Eggers would later say that Van Zandt was his "first child." His battles with addiction led him to be admitted to rehab almost a dozen times throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Medical records from his time in recovery centers show that he believed his drinking had become a problem around 1973, and by 1982 he was drinking at least a pint of vodka daily. Doctors' notes reported: "He admits to hearing voices, mostly musical voices", and "Affect is blunted and mood is sad. Judgment and insight is impaired." At various points in his life, he was prescribed to take the antidepressant Zoloft and the mood stabilizer lithium. His final and longest period of sobriety during his adult life was a period of about a year in 1989 and 1990.
Van Zandt has been referred to as a cult musician and "a songwriter's songwriter." Musician Steve Earle, who met him in 1978 and considered Van Zandt a mentor, once called Van Zandt "the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." The quote was printed on a sticker featured on the packing of At My Window, much to Van Zandt's displeasure. In the years following, the quote was often cited by the press, much to Van Zandt and Earle's embarrassment; in 2009, Earle told the New York Times, "Did I ever believe that Townes was better than Bob Dylan? No." But he concluded at the end of the same article that, "As a songwriter, you won't find anybody better." Earle has championed the songwriter on a number of occasions: his eldest son, Justin Townes Earle, also a musician, is named after Van Zandt. Earle wrote the song "Fort Worth Blues" as a tribute to the singer in the late 1990s, and in 2009 released an album titled Townes, which featured all covers of Van Zandt songs.
His Texas-grounded impact stretched farther than country. He has been cited as a source of inspiration by such notable artists as Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Guthrie Thomas, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Chelsea Wolfe, Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, Cowboy Junkies, Vetiver, Guy Clark, Devendra Banhart, Norah Jones, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, The Be Good Tanyas and Jolie Holland, Rowland S. Howard, Michael Weston King, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch, Garth Brooks, Simon Joyner, Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes, Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon, Laura Marling, Andrew Adkins and Frank Turner. Folk musician Shakey Graves has credited his fast-paced, rhythmic style of finger picked guitar playing partially to Van Zandt's influence.
In 1994, Israeli singer David Broza performed with Van Zandt during a Writers in the Round concert in Houston. When Van Zandt died, he left a shoe box full of unreleased poems and lyrics with a request that Broza set them to music. The resulting album was Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry of Townes Van Zandt.
In 2012, Van Zandt was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In July 2012, Neurot Recordings released a three-way split album in tribute to Van Zandt, featuring Neurosis singer/guitarists Scott Kelly, Steve Von Till and doom/stoner metal legend Scott "Wino" Weinrich.
On June 18, 2015, Van Zandt was inducted into the second year's ceremony of the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, along with Asleep at the Wheel, Loretta Lynn, Guy Clark and Flaco Jimenez. Gillian Welch inducted Van Zandt by telling stories about how he had come to her early gigs in Nashville and how he had bolstered her confidence in writing sad songs.
Tecumseh Valley
Townes Van Zandt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her
She came from Spencer
Across the hill
'cause the coal was low
And soon the snow
Would turn the skies to winter
She said she'd come
To look for work
She was not seeking favors
And for a dime a day
And a place to stay
She'd turn those hands to labor
But the times were hard, Lord,
The jobs were few
All through Tecumseh valley
But she asked around
And a job she found
Tending bar at Gypsy Sally's
She saved enough to get back home
When spring replaced the winter
But her dreams were denied
Her pa had died
The word come down from Spencer
So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
With all the lust inside her
And it was many a man
Returned again
To lay himself beside her
They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to Gypsy Sally's
In her hand when she died
Was a note that cried
Fare thee well
Tecumseh valley
The name she gave was Caroline
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her
The lyrics to Townes Van Zandt’s song Tecumseh Valley tell a tragic story of a young woman’s journey from her home in Spencer to the small mining town of Tecumseh valley in search of work. The opening lines introduce us to the singer, Caroline, who is described as the daughter of a miner. Her free-spirited ways are emphasized, with the imagery of sunshine walking beside her, suggesting a sense of optimism.
Caroline’s journey to Tecumseh valley is motivated by her family’s financial struggles due to the low coal supply and impending winter. Upon her arrival, she begins to look for work and eventually finds a job as a bartender at Gypsy Sally’s. Despite her humble circumstances, she is determined to work hard and earn a living. However, the difficult economic circumstances in the town make it challenging for her to make ends meet.
In the end, Caroline is forced to turn to prostitution to survive. She dies tragically under uncertain circumstances, with a note found in her hand bidding farewell to Tecumseh valley. The song paints a poignant picture of a young woman’s struggle against poverty and the harsh realities of life in a small mining town. The lyrics capture the human struggles and pressures of survival amidst poverty in the working-class mining communities of the 1960s.
Line by Line Meaning
The name she gave was Caroline
The woman's name was Caroline, which is the name she went by.
Daughter of a miner
Her father was a miner by profession.
Her ways were free
She lived freely and was not bound by society's expectations.
It seemed to me
The artist is expressing his thoughts and feelings about Caroline.
That sunshine walked beside her
Caroline had a vibrant and positive energy around her.
She came from Spencer
Caroline was from a place called Spencer.
Across the hill
Spencer was on the other side of a hill.
She said her pa had sent her
She claimed her father had sent her to Tecumseh Valley.
'cause the coal was low
Her reason for coming was because the coal was low in Spencer, and jobs were scarce.
And soon the snow
She arrived just in time, as winter was quickly approaching.
Would turn the skies to winter
The season of winter was imminent.
She said she'd come
Caroline stated her purpose for coming to Tecumseh Valley.
To look for work
She came to find a job.
She was not seeking favors
She did not ask for handouts or special treatment.
And for a dime a day
She was willing to work for very little pay.
And a place to stay
In exchange for work, she needed somewhere to live.
She'd turn those hands to labor
She was capable and willing to work hard.
But the times were hard, Lord,
The times were tough, and jobs were scarce.
The jobs were few
There were very few job opportunities available.
All through Tecumseh valley
The entire town was affected by the lack of jobs.
But she asked around
Caroline actively sought out work opportunities.
And a job she found
She was eventually offered a job.
Tending bar at Gypsy Sally's
The job she found was working at a bar called Gypsy Sally's.
She saved enough to get back home
Despite the low pay, Caroline managed to save up.
When spring replaced the winter
By the time spring arrived, Caroline was ready to return home.
But her dreams were denied
Her hopes and aspirations were unfulfilled.
Her pa had died
Unfortunately, her father had passed away.
The word come down from Spencer
She received news from Spencer about her father's death.
So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
Caroline resorted to prostitution to make a living.
With all the lust inside her
She indulged in the pleasure of the flesh.
And it was many a man
She entertained many clients.
Returned again
Her clients kept coming back.
To lay himself beside her
They sought physical intimacy with her.
They found her down beneath the stairs
Caroline's life ended tragically.
That led to Gypsy Sally's
She was found beneath the staircase that led to her place of work.
In her hand when she died
She was holding something when she passed away.
Was a note that cried
The item in her hand was a message of sadness or despair.
Fare thee well
The message said goodbye or farewell, indicating her passing.
Tecumseh valley
The note was specifically in reference to Tecumseh Valley, where Caroline had lived and worked.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: Townes John Van Zandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pink phloid
The name she gave was caroline
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her
She came from spencer
Across the hill
She said her pa had sent her
'cause the coal was low
And soon the snow
Would turn the skies to winter
She said she'd come
To look for work
She was not seeking favors
And for a dime a day
And a place to stay
She'd turn those hands to labor
But the times were hard, lord,
The jobs were few
All through tecumseh valley
But she asked around
And a job she found
Tending bar at gypsy sally's
She saved enough to get back home
When spring replaced the winter
But her dreams were denied
Her pa had died
The word come down from spencer
So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
With all the lust inside her
And it was many a man
Returned again
To lay himself beside her
They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to gypsy sally's
In her hand when she died
Was a note that cried
Fare thee well... Tecumseh valley
The name she gave was caroline
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her
David Boguzes
this song is heartbreaking...Townes had a sadness in his voice that was so real...a one off right here. one the truly great songwriters that's completely underrated.
Spectrescup
@Tom McLain Tom Waits, post Swordfishtrombones, is a post/mod Beefheart impersonator.
His early stuff was original, and I listen to much, much weirder stuff than late TW, but he sounds like a pseudo-weird fraud to me, and I know I'm not alone.
Sidekick Cleveland
One of my personal favorites. Townes underrated 😂 they should make that a meme.
Tom McLain
I would only argue there is no living songwriter as talented other than Tom Waits. Different style, same rare talent.
Terry Koch
Amen.
andreaneilcmc
"The sunshine walked beside her." Pure poetry!
Wade Collier
I love that line as well! Truly a deep song (like so many of his) one of my all-time faves!
elif
it seemed to me
pink phloid
The name she gave was caroline
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her
She came from spencer
Across the hill
She said her pa had sent her
'cause the coal was low
And soon the snow
Would turn the skies to winter
She said she'd come
To look for work
She was not seeking favors
And for a dime a day
And a place to stay
She'd turn those hands to labor
But the times were hard, lord,
The jobs were few
All through tecumseh valley
But she asked around
And a job she found
Tending bar at gypsy sally's
She saved enough to get back home
When spring replaced the winter
But her dreams were denied
Her pa had died
The word come down from spencer
So she turned to whorin' out on the streets
With all the lust inside her
And it was many a man
Returned again
To lay himself beside her
They found her down beneath the stairs
That led to gypsy sally's
In her hand when she died
Was a note that cried
Fare thee well... Tecumseh valley
The name she gave was caroline
Daughter of a miner
Her ways were free
It seemed to me
That sunshine walked beside her
Wade Collier
@Ed DesLauriers You said that perfectly, Ed! I lift my IPA to you!