Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

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Kush
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Joined: Tue Jul 09, 2002 1:21 am
Location: USA

Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Kush »

Unreleased recording of TVZ's song Harm's Swift Way. Not sure how it appeared on youtube but is apparently from his last studio session.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gxZ-MdgPUI

There is a home out of harms swift way
I set myself to find
I swore to my love I would
Bring her there
Then I left my love behind

The desert was long
The mountain high
The road ran steep and winding
The promises so easily made
Unbearable yet binding

Oh me, oh my
Who’s gonna mark my time

Time will go, it never stays
Memory locked in her passing
Try, oh try to cling to her
Until she becomes everlasting

The world’s still blue
My word’s still true
I feel I’m turning hollow
She does as she please
If ever she leaves
I’ll strangle upon the sorrow

The road is past, tomorrow the sky
Between sometimes is blinding
Someday soon when I turn to cloud
I will fly on her wings somehow

Wrapped in the road and filled with above
The ground seems to fade away
Hold to the Earth like a new born child
Pray she returns someday
Steven
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Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 12:32 am

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Steven »

Hi Kush,

Got here too late to view the linked video which has been removed. Did find this cover, though, of
"Harm's Swift Way," which is well worth watching: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrD0a4lHNUY.
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Kush
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Location: USA

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Kush »

wow that's gone without a trace...reminds me of a line from a John Hiatt song - Gone like a Nixon file, gone gone away

Steven I have heard Robert Plant's version of it before although not that particular live version. Initially I was fairly neutral to it but it has grown on me since. Also enjoyed his commentary at the beginning of the song about songwriters from Tennessee and Texas.
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Kush
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Location: USA

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Kush »

A very good live version from David Broza:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpeKQv6vWLs
Steven
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Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 12:32 am

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Steven »

Hi Kush,

"Oh me, oh my," the version you linked to in the prior post is outstanding.
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Kush
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Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Kush »

Hi Steven,

The rare & elusive demo version of TVZ's Harm's Swift Way found its way back online ...at least for awhile...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7x2QJzRhBA
Steven
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Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 12:32 am

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Steven »

Hi Kush,

Thank you. The clip is essence of Townes. The song and Townes' singing of it
express very pure artistry.
Steven
Posts: 2140
Joined: Tue May 03, 2005 12:32 am

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Steven »

Hi,

Will likely be posting very little, if at all, going forward. Thanks
to Jarkko for his many efforts and to people such as Kush, for the
great posts and good company. Reasons are personal, nothing more
to be said.
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Kush
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Location: USA

Re: Townes Van Zandt: Harm's Swift Way

Post by Kush »

Hi Steven,

The TVZ demo recording is typical of his final concerts. I believe this was the last song he wrote...

And...
Be well my friend, I'll see you when I see you ! :)

And if you don't make it back here stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive if you can...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ssg4_KMrS0o
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Kush
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Re: Townes Van Zandt: You are Not Needed Now

Post by Kush »

I had heard this song was supposed to be about Janis Joplin...well, TVZ clears all doubts in this live performance. They hung out in the same group of campus folk in Houston very early on....

You are Not Needed Now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaDgIkkSi6w
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Kush
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Re: Kappa Danielson: Snake Song

Post by Kush »

Snake Song by Kappa Danielson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqFkWHsJlgI
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