For the Sake of the Song 1987 Version by Townes Van Zandt Lyrics
[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
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