Townes Van Zandt — For the Sake of the Song 1987 Version

[Verse 1] Well why does she sing her sad songs for me? I'm not the one to tenderly bring her soft sympathy I've just begun to see my way clear And it's plain if I stop, I will fall I can lay down a tear for her pain Just a tear and that's all Ah what does she want me to do? She says that she knows that moments are rare And I suppose that it's true, then on she goes To say I don't care and she knows that I do [Chorus] Ah but maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song Who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong? [Verse 2] She'd like to think I was cruel But she knows that's a lie For I would be no more than a tool If I allowed her to cry all over me Aw my sorrow is real Even though I can't change my plans If she could see how I feel Then I know that she'd understand Or does she actually think I'm to blame? Does she really believe that some word of mine Could relieve all her pain? Can't she see that she grieves Just because she's been blindly deceived By her shame? [Chorus] Ah but maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song Who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong? [Verse 3] Ah but nothin's what it seems Maybe she'll start someday to realize If she abandons her dreams Then all the words she can say are only lies Ah when will she see that to gain is only to lose? All that she offers me are her chains and I got to refuse Oh but it's only to herself that she's lied She likes to pretend There's something that she should defend With her pride And I don't intend To stand here and be the friend From whom she must hide [Chorus] Ah but maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song Who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong? Ah maybe she just has to sing for the sake of the song