For The Sake Of The Song - Original - Townes Van Zandt

Why does she sing these sad songs for me

I'm not the one to tenderly bring her soft sympathy

I've just begun to see my way clear it's plain if I stop I will fall

I can lay down a tear for her pain a tear and that's all

What does she want me to do

She says that she knows moments are rare

I suppose that it's true and on she goes to say

I don't care when she knows that I do

Well maybe she just has to sing

For the sake of the song

And who do I think that I am

To decide that she's wrong

She'd like to think I was cruel she knows that's a lie

For I would be no more than a tool if I allowed her to cry all over me

Oh my sorrow is real even though I can't change my plans

If she could see how I feel then I know she'd understand

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

Well maybe she just has to sing

For the sake of the song

And who do I think that I am

To decide that she's wrong

I know nothings what it seems maybe one day she'll start to realize

That if she abandons her dreams

Then all the words she can say are only lies

When will she see that the gain is only to lose

All that she offers me are her chains and I got to refuse

But it's only to herself that she's lied

She likes to pretend it'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

Well maybe she just has to sing

For the sake of the song

And who do I think that I am

To decide that she's wrong