Lyr Req: He Lived Alone in Town (B Sainte-Marie)

Subject: She lived alone in town...
From: Amos
Date: 15 May 02 - 10:52 PM

When I was young I was madly in love with a slender brunette who among other qualifying talents, played slow simple chords on a nylon-string guitar and sang songs that sounded so sweet it woulda made Joan Collins ask Joan Baez...or sompn like that. Anyway, that was then; but one of the songs she sang has hung around in my mind for lo these forty odd (very odd) years, I would dearluy love to discover that one of you knew it all along!

The tune os modal, traveling from A minor ===>Em== >Am followed by the slightly unusual seuence of G== >D==>Em.

The words that I can remember seemed to go:

She lived alone in town
Her friends were many and true
She lived and took the easy love
Of street boys that she knew...

The song goes on to describe how the lass meets a youth and everything is different, but I really don't recall those lyrics.

Who's got a ringing bell out there??? Talk tah me, neighbors!!

A.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: She lived alone in town...
From: Bearheart
Date: 16 May 02 - 07:52 AM

I remember this, vaguely. If my memory is correct-- not at all sure it is--- Buffy Ste. Marie sang it?

Been a long time ago.

Bekki

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: She lived alone in town...
From: IvanB
Date: 16 May 02 - 09:21 AM

Yes, Buffy recorded it, except hers was "He lived alone in town." Dunno if there's another version out there with the gender changed, but I remember hers well. Since I'm leaving for England later today, I won't be able to check my discs for a couple of weeks, but I'll bookmark this thread and check when I get back.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: She lived alone in town...
From: Amos
Date: 16 May 02 - 09:51 AM

Found it on a playlist for "Best of Buffy" Vol 2. No sign of a lyrics listing out there but at least I know what the darn song is!! Thanks!! It's Buffy's song. Here I thought my slender brunette had dug up a Childe Ballad or something!! LOL!

A

Subject: Lyr Add: HE LIVED ALONE IN TOWN (B Sainte-Marie)
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 May 02 - 02:41 PM

Yes, the song was written by Buffy, back in the early 60's, and was biographical. She was in love with a young man who was likewise in love with her, but they couldn't quite get it sorted out...and missed the boat, so to speak. She said in her songbook that she sang it kind of "funny" like it was about someone else, and put it in the 3rd person...so as to make it seem that way, cos she was still feeling a lot of pain over it. I think it is one of her most powerful love songs, and a true classic.

He lived alone in town
His friends were many and true
He drank and took the easy love
Of street girls that he knew

Then he met a girl one day
Said "come home with me tonight"
"Oh no!" she cried "I never will."
And she left him there alone

And the days went by, and days
Went by and they did long
For each other every hour
But still she'd not be bound

"In the places of young men
I never will be found
But think you not that I don't love
For my heart is ripe and full"

"How cold you are!" he said
"I guess you must not care
For me, but tell me, where it is you'd go
For I'd take you anywhere"

"Then come to a forest green
Where I may love you free
Beyond the confines of your walls
And beyond the sweetest words"

"And beyond the mountains high
Beyond the fields of shame
And beyond the prettiest wedding ring
For I'd never take your name"

"And wander with me now
Or wander off alone
But know I love you, tearful one
Much more than I can show"

He could not understand
He thought she could not care
"Oh, take me far away," she cried
But he could not hear her prayer

And he wandered off alone
To never know her dream
And she still dwells within the forest
Longing for his love

"So, wander with me now
Or wander off alone
But know I love you, tearful one
Much more than I can show"

To merely read the lyrics does not begin to express the power and poignancy with which she sang it...or the effectiveness of the melody and chording. It drips with the keen sense of loss and regret, and it is the song of a young and very idealistic heart.

Buffy is playing tonight in the Orillia area, BTW.

- LH

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: She lived alone in town...
From: Amos
Date: 16 May 02 - 02:52 PM

Little Hawk:

I see now why that song, half-forgotten, has haunted me all these years. I am in your debt. Thanks.

A

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: She lived alone in town...
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jan 09 - 01:37 PM

This is one of my favorite Buffy songs. I know the chords to most of it but not when she goes in the crescendo verses...great song and so far this is the only place I have found the lyrics on line...ps I interviewed Buffy when she performed in Juneau, Alaska.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: He Lived Alone in Town (B Sainte-Marie)
From: GUEST,wolfsong
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 10:51 PM

I just listened to it and corrected the lyrics according to the version I have:

He lived alone in town
His friends were many and true
He drank and took the easy love
Of street girls that he knew

Then he met a girl one day
Said "come home with me tonight"
"Oh no!" she cried "I never will." And she left him there alone

And the days went by, and days
Went by and they did long
For each other every hour
But still she'd not be bound

"In the places of young men
I never will be found
But think you not that I don't love
For my heart is ripe and full"

"How cold you are!" he cried
"I guess you must not care
But tell me, tell me, where it is you'd go
For I'd take you anywhere"

"Then come to a forest green
Where I may love you free
Beyond the confines of your walls
And beyond the sweetest words"

"And beyond the mountains high
Beyond the hills of shame
And beyond the prettiest wedding ring
For I'd never take your name"

"Then wander with me now
Or wander off alone
But know I love you, tearful one
Much more than I can show"

He did not understand
He thought she could not care
"Oh, take me far away," she cried
But he could not heed her prayer

And he wandered off alone
To never know her dream
And she still dwells within the forest
Longing for his love

"So, wander with me now
Or wander off alone
But know I love you, tearful one
Much more than I can show"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: He Lived Alone in Town (B Sainte-Marie)
From: GUEST,wolfsong
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 11:08 PM

Another try, now the revised version:

He lived alone in town
His friends were many and true
He drank and took the easy love
Of street girls that he knew

And he met a girl one day
Said "come home with me tonight"
"Oh no!" she cried "I never will."
And she left him there alone

And the days went by, and days
Went by and they did long
For each other every hour
But still she'd not be bound

"In the places of young men
I never will be found
But think you not that I don't love
For my heart is ripe and full"

"How cold you are!" he said
"I guess you must not care
For me. But tell me,
Where it is you'd go
For I'd take you anywhere"

"Then come to a forest green
Where I may love you free
Beyond the confines of your walls
And beyond the sweetest words"

"And beyond the mountains high
Beyond the fields of shame
And beyond the prettiest wedding ring
For I'd never take your name"

"And wander with me now
Or wander all forlorn
But know I love you, tearful one,
Much more than I can show"

He could not understand
He thought she could not care
"Oh, take me far away," she'd cried
And he could not hear her prayer

And he wandered off alone
To never know her dream
And she still dwells within the forest
Longing for his love

"So, wander with me now
Or wander off alone
But know I love you, tearful one,
Much more than I can show"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: He Lived Alone in Town (B Sainte-Mari
From: Amos
Date: 19 Mar 09 - 11:58 PM

The wonders of Mudcat. Thanks so much!!!


A

Subject: Chords Add: HE LIVED ALONE IN TOWN (Sainte-Marie)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 03:09 PM

here you go internet world
He lived alone in town
Buffy sainte marie
Its my way

CHORDS

here it is in a waltz
( "|" separates measures, "/" is each beat. i didnt line up words with beats so youll have to count or just feel the rhythm.

/// | /// | /// | ///
Am    E       Am
he lived alone in town

/// | /// | /// | ///
G         D       E         
His friends were many and true

/// | /// | /// | ///
Am            Dm
he drank and took the easy love

/// | /// | /// | ///
Am   E       Am
of street girls that he knew



Same pattern for all verses except for the ones with the crescendo.

/// | /// | /// | ///
Am   E       Am   
In the places of young men

/// | /// | /// | ///
F      F#       G      E
i never will be found

/// | /// | /// | ///
Am            Dm
but think you not that i dont love

/// | /// | /// | ///
Am   E       Am   
for my heart is ripe and full

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: He Lived Alone in Town (B Sainte-Marie)
From: GUEST,Barb
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 10:04 AM

The last verse of the song has been in my head for a few days. I'm so happy to have found it here.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: He Lived Alone in Town (B Sainte-Marie)
From: GUEST,Dr. Abs
Date: 10 Feb 18 - 04:53 AM

A friend asked me to learn this song for her. For anyone who may be still be searching, here are the the chords as I heard them:

Buffy Sainte Marie - He Lived Alone In Town Chords and Lyrics

      Am      E          Am       Am
He lived alone in town
       G                     D                E                E7
His friends were many and true
      Am            Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
He drank and took the easy love
      Am             E          Am       Am/E
Of street girls that he knew

             Am       E          Am         Am
And he met a girl one day
                      G                  D       E      E7
Said "come home with me tonight"
         Am       Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
"Oh no!" she cried "I never will."
                Am          E       Am       Am/E
And she left him there alone

                Am            E             Dm          Am
And the days went by, and days
            G          D            E          E7
Went by and they did long
Am          Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
For each other every hour
       Am          E          Dm          Dm
But still she'd not be bound

             Am       E            Dm       Am
"In the places of young men
   F         D/F#      G      E/G#
I never will be found
       Am          Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
But think you not that I don't love
             Am          E          Am       Am/E    Am/G    Am
For my heart is ripe and full"

            Am         Em          Am       Am
"How cold you are!" he said
      G               D             E          E7
"I guess you must not care
       Am          Am/G                   Dm/F#    Dm/F   
For me. But tell me, Where it is you'd go
             Am          E       Dm          Dm
For I'd take you anywhere"
             Am            E       Dm          Am
"Then come to a forest green
                G         D          E          E7
Where I may love you free
       Am          Am/G      Dm/F#    Dm/F   
Beyond the confines of your walls
             Am            E             Dm          Dm
And beyond the sweetest words"
             Am            E       Dm         Am
"And beyond the mountains high
       G          D             E          E7
Beyond the fields of shame
             Am          Am/G      Dm/F#    Dm/F   
And beyond the prettiest wedding ring
             Am          E       Dm          Dm
For I'd never take your name"

             Am            E       Dm          Am
"And wander with me now
      F            D/F#      G       E/G#
Or wander all forlorn
       Am       Am/G      Dm/F#    Dm/F   
But know I love you, tearful one
             Am            E       Am       Am/E    Am/G    Am
Much more than I can show"

       Am            E       Dm          Am
He could not understand
       G                   D             E          E7
He thought she could not care
       Am       Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
"Oh, take me far away," she'd cried
               Am          E          Am         Am
And he could not hear her prayer

               Am             E       Dm          Am
And he wandered off alone
       G         D             E          E7
To never know her dream
       Am       Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
And she still dwells within the forest
Am       E         Am       Am/E      Am/G    Am
Longing for his love

         Am          E          Dm          Am
"So, wander with me now
    F            D/F#      G       E/G#
Or wander off alone
       Am       Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F   
But know I love you, tearful one
            Am             E          Am       Am/G    Dm/F#    Dm/F       Am    E    Am      Am
Much more than I can show"