Marie
Townes Van Zandt feat. Willie Nelson Lyrics
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took about six hours or so
Well, the man just grinned like it was all a game
said they'd let me know
I put in my time till the Pocono line
shut down two years ago
I was staying at the mission till I met Marie
now I can't stay there no more
Fella 'cross town said he's lookin' for a man
to move some old cars around
maybe me and Marie could find a burned-out
van and do a little settlin' down
Aw, but I'm just dreamin', I ain't got no ride
and the junkyard's a pretty good ways
that job's about a half week old besides
it'd be gone now anyway
Unemployment said I got no more checks
and they showed me to the hall
my brother died in Georgia some time ago
I got no one left to call
Summer wasn't bad below the bridge
a little short on food that's all
Now I gotta get Marie some kind of coat
we're headed down into fall
I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
hustled up a little dough
but I got drunk and I woke up rolled
a couple of months ago
they got my harp and they got my dollar
them low life so and so's
harps cost money and I ain't got it
it's my own fault I suppose
The Pocono's down but the Chesapeak's runnin'
two freights everyday
if it was just me I'd be headed south
but Marie can't catch no train
She's got some pain and she thinks it's a baby,
says we gotta wait and see
in my heart I know it's a little boy
hope he don't end up like me
Well, the man's still grinnin' says he lost my file
I gotta stand in line again
I want to kill him but I just say no
I had enough of that line my friend
I head back to the bridge, its getting kinda cold
I'm feelin' too low down to lie
I guess I'll just tell Marie the truth
hope she don't break down and cry
Marie she didn't wake up this morning
she didn't even try
she just rolled over and went to heaven
my little boy safe inside
I laid them in the sun where somebody'd find them
caught a Chesapeak on the fly
Marie will know I'm headed south
so's to meet me by and by
Marie will know I'm headed south
so to meet me by and by
The song "Marie" tells a heartbreaking story of a down-on-his-luck man who has lost his job, run out of money, and is struggling to care for his pregnant girlfriend, Marie. In the opening lines, the man describes standing in line for six hours to register for unemployment benefits, only to be told that he would have to wait further to hear back from them. He then reflects on the life he had before his current struggles - including playing the mouth harp and making some money doing it - before drifting back to his current situation.
Throughout the rest of the song, he talks about his search for work, his desperate need for money to provide for Marie, and how he ultimately loses her and their unborn child. The song's final lines are particularly poignant, as the singer reflects on the fact that Marie has passed away and he is left holding their child. Despite his sorrow, he finds solace in the thought of eventually reuniting with her in the afterlife.
"Marie" is a hauntingly beautiful song that explores themes of love, loss, and poverty. Its lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man who has been beaten down by circumstances beyond his control, but who still clings to hope and, ultimately, finds a sense of peace in the face of tragedy. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of holding onto hope even in the darkest of times.
Line by Line Meaning
stood in line and left my name
I waited in line and filled out my information
took about six hours or so
It was a long wait
Well, the man just grinned like it was all a game
The person I talked to didn't take me seriously
said they'd let me know
They'll contact me later
I put in my time till the Pocono line
I worked until the Pocono line was shut down
shut down two years ago
It's been closed for a while
I was staying at the mission till I met Marie
I was homeless until I met Marie
now I can't stay there no more
I can't go back to the mission
Fella 'cross town said he's lookin' for a man
Someone in town is looking for a worker
to move some old cars around
The work involves moving cars
maybe me and Marie could find a burned-out van and do a little settlin' down
We could live in a van and start a new life together
Aw, but I'm just dreamin', I ain't got no ride
It's just a fantasy, we don't have a car
and the junkyard's a pretty good ways
The junkyard is far from here
that job's about a half week old besides
The job isn't even available anymore
it'd be gone now anyway
Even if it were still available, it's too late now
Unemployment said I got no more checks
I'm no longer receiving unemployment benefits
and they showed me to the hall
They directed me to a welfare hall
my brother died in Georgia some time ago
My brother passed away in Georgia
I got no one left to call
I have no more family left
Summer wasn't bad below the bridge
I was okay living under a bridge in the summer
a little short on food that's all
I was just hungry
Now I gotta get Marie some kind of coat
I need to buy a coat for Marie
we're headed down into fall
It's getting colder as we approach the fall season
I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
I used to be good at playing the harmonica
hustled up a little dough
I earned some money hustling
but I got drunk and I woke up rolled
I got drunk and was robbed in my sleep
a couple of months ago
It happened a few months ago
they got my harp and they got my dollar
The robbers took my harmonica and money
them low life so and so's
The robbers were lowlifes
harps cost money and I ain't got it
Harmonicas are expensive and I can't afford another one
it's my own fault I suppose
I only have myself to blame
The Pocono's down but the Chesapeak's runnin'
The Pocono train is not operating but the Chesapeak train is still running
two freights everyday
The Chesapeak train runs twice a day
if it was just me I'd be headed south
If I were alone, I would go south
but Marie can't catch no train
Marie can't travel by train
She's got some pain and she thinks it's a baby
Marie is experiencing some pain and thinks she's pregnant
says we gotta wait and see
We have to wait and find out
in my heart I know it's a little boy
I have a feeling that she's having a baby boy
hope he don't end up like me
I hope my son doesn't have to go through the same struggles as I did
Well, the man's still grinnin' says he lost my file
The person in charge is still smiling and claims to have lost my information
I gotta stand in line again
I have to wait in line again
I want to kill him but I just say no
I feel like hurting him, but I hold back
I had enough of that line my friend
I'm tired of waiting in line
I head back to the bridge, its getting kinda cold
I'm going back to the bridge to take cover from the cold
I'm feelin' too low down to lie
I'm too depressed to pretend everything's okay
I guess I'll just tell Marie the truth
I'll be honest with Marie
hope she don't break down and cry
I hope she doesn't get emotional
Marie she didn't wake up this morning
Marie has passed away
she didn't even try
She didn't fight to stay alive
she just rolled over and went to heaven
She peacefully passed away and went to heaven
my little boy safe inside
Our baby was born safely
I laid them in the sun where somebody'd find them
I left their bodies in a spot where someone would see them and ensure they receive a proper burial
caught a Chesapeak on the fly
I caught the Chesapeak train quickly
Marie will know I'm headed south
I'm going south and Marie will know
so's to meet me by and by
So we can reunite in the future
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Townes Van Zandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doronyonay
I stood in line and left my name
Took about six hours or so
Well, the man just grinned like it was all a game
Said they'd let me know
I put in my time till the Pocono line
Shut down two years ago
I was staying at the mission till I met Marie
Now I can't stay there no more
Fella 'cross town said he's lookin' for a man
To move some old cars around
Maybe me and Marie could find a burned-out
Van and do a little settlin' down
Aw, but I'm just dreamin', I ain't got no ride
And the junkyard's a pretty good ways
That job's about a half week old besides
It'd be gone now anyway
Unemployment says I got no more checks
And they showed me to the hall
My brother died in Georgia some time ago
I got no one left to call
Summer wasn't bad below the bridge
A little short on food that's all
Now I gotta get Marie some kind of coat
We're headed down into fall
I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
Hustled up a little dough
But I got drunk and I woke up rolled
A couple of months ago
They got my harp and they got my dollar
Them low life so and so's
Harps cost money and I ain't got it
It's my own fault I suppose
Photos
hhTownes Van Zandt - artist photos
hhTownes Van Zandt - artist photos
hhTownes Van Zandt - artist photos
hhTownes Van Zandt - artist photos
Ah the Pocono's down but the Chesapeake's runnin'
Two freights everyday
If it was me I'd be headed South
But Marie can't catch no train
She's got some pain and she thinks it's a baby,
Says we gotta wait and see
In my heart I know it's a little boy
Hope he don't end up like me
Well, the man's still grinnin' says he lost my file
I gotta stand in line again
I want to kill him but I just say no
I had enough of that line my friend
I head back to the bridge, it's getting kinda cold
I'm feelin' too low down to lie
I guess I'll just tell Marie the truth
Hope she don't break down and cry
Marie she didn't wake up this morning
She didn't even try
She just rolled over and went to heaven
My little boy safe inside
I laid them in the sun where somebody'd find them
Caught a Chesapeake on the fly
Marie will know I'm headed South
So's to meet me by and by
Ah Marie will know I'm headed south
So to meet me by and by
Read more: Townes Van Zandt - Marie Lyrics | MetroLyrics
@neutrotoxin
I stood in line and left my name
Took about six hours or so
Well, the man just grinned like it was all a game
Said they'd let me know
I put in my time till the Pocono line
Shut down two years ago
I was staying at the mission till I met Marie
Now I can't stay there no more
Fella 'cross town said he's lookin' for a man
To move some old cars around
Maybe me and Marie could find a burned-out
Van and do a little settlin' down
Aw, but I'm just dreamin', I ain't got no ride
And the junkyard's a pretty good ways
That job's about a half week old besides
It'd be gone now anyway
Unemployment says I got no more checks
And they showed me to the hall
My brother died in Georgia some time ago
I got no one left to call
Summer wasn't bad below the bridge
A little short on food that's all
Now I gotta get Marie some kind of coat
We're headed down into fall
I used to play the mouth harp pretty good
Hustled up a little dough
But I got drunk and I woke up rolled
A couple of months ago
They got my harp and they got my dollar
Them low life so and so's
Harps cost money and I ain't got it
It's my own fault I suppose
Ah the Pocono's down but the Chesapeake's runnin'
Two freights everyday
If it was me I'd be headed South
But Marie can't catch no train
She's got some pain and she thinks it's a baby,
Says we gotta wait and see
In my heart I know it's a little boy
Hope he don't end up like me
Well, the man's still grinnin' says he lost my file
I gotta stand in line again
I want to kill him but I just say no
I had enough of that line my friend
I head back to the bridge, it's getting kinda cold
I'm feelin' too low down to lie
I guess I'll just tell Marie the truth
Hope she don't break down and cry
Marie she didn't wake up this morning
She didn't even try
She just rolled over and went to heaven
My little boy safe inside
I laid them in the sun where somebody'd find them
Caught a Chesapeake on the fly
Marie will know I'm headed South
So's to meet me by and by
Ah Marie will know I'm headed south
So to meet me by and by
@danielmourglea2954
OMFG!!! Willie Singing with Townes...I could not have hoped for more...The saddest song by two of the greatest storytellers ever to live!
@wunderfrau2537
I find it difficult to add anything on here - but I will say something which a lot of you might understand about this song - it's very sad and true to life even now too.
@eddiecantu7316
L played drums on this track.The track was already recorded with willie on guitar. We did the recording at perdenales.
I haven't heard it in years. Lynn daniel on bass. Riley Osbourne on Keys. John Inmon on guitar.
My name is Eddie Cantu on Drums.
Thanks for posting it.
@barreltapper
Well It's really nice to hear from you. I bought the album years ago and I loved it. It was on a label I had never heard of and I thought it was some kind of bootleg. Some of the tracks are absolute classics. I don't have too mu ch in the way of kit,so a lot of the music I try to upload is low quality, but this track was quite good. Sadly I'm under threat from UTube so I don't upload much these days in case they shut me down altogether. Thanks again.
@eddiecantu7316
Met Willie a few times. We were at his studio. Did a song with Aaron Watson and Willie Nelson a few years later.
@J8T369
This whole album of duets is very good.
@DCShaneTours
Wow, this is the second song they have done together, they sound so great together.
@ruthboykin9873
great song!
@willardhoward5141
One depressing song! But then, that was like Townes Van Zandt. I don't know that I ever heard him sing a happy song. But he writes some pretty music. I've had Pancho and Lefty memorized for years. Sometimes I still sing it to myself. Thank you, Townes Van Zandt.
@c.bcircusbaby5517
Wow,thanks for uploading this!