Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.

Subject: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 02:21 PM

In the Townes Van Zandt song "If I Needed You," the last verse goes

The lady's with me now since I showed her how
To lay her lily hand in mine.
Loop and Lil agree she's a sight to see,
And a treasure for the poor to find.

My question is . . . who are Loop and Lil?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: C. Ham
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 02:30 PM

Loop and Lil were a pair of pet birds that Townes had back in the day.

Subject: RE: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 03:18 PM

Ye gods, really!?? Okay. I figured someone would probably know.

Thank you, C. Ham.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: gnu
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 03:36 PM

This place never ceases to amaze me. Ask a question, get an answer, or more... in nine minutes!

Subject: RE: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: Don Firth
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 04:20 PM

Amazes me, too. I knew there would be someone out there who knew.

I had this whole scenario built up, but . . . pet birds?   Who'd a thunk it!???

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 12:15 AM

Parakeets, specifically. Emmylou Harrish changed the words to "Who would ill agree" when she recorded the song with Don Williams.

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: Townes Van Zandt lyrics--Dumb Question.
From: 12-stringer
Date: 03 Sep 06 - 12:35 AM

Sheet music (in the 1977 TVZ compilation "For the Sake of the Song") has a headnote:

"This is the only song I have ever written while sleeping. I dreamed about being a songwriter and this was the song I was writing. I woke up long enough to scribble it down in a notebook by my bed and went back to sleep. Loop and Lil are parakeets."