When this song came out on the Band of Joy album it had taken me to my knees, my daughter was about 9 or 10 and fell in love with the whole album, i took her to the concert at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell pavilion. It rained and it was not a highly attended concert, Mr.Plant encouraged everyone to move into the cover of the arena so we were able to see it up close. It was quite memorable for me but i do not recall this song on the playlist.She passed in 2017 and i had this song played at her funeral. No one will ever get what how much this song fit my feelings...Rest In Peace, Chelsea Leigh-Ann Houston, Love Dad XVIMAYMM-XXXJULMMXVII, MISS YOU SO MUCH MY LITTLE MAYQUEEN!!!
"Harm's Swift Way" (originally by Townes Van Zandt) There is a home out of harm's swift way I set myself to find I swore to my love I would bring her there Then I left my love behind The desert was long, the mountains high The road ran steep and winding The promises so easily made Unbearable, yet binding Oh me, oh my Who's gonna count my time Oh me, oh my Who's gonna count my time Time will go, it never stays Memory locked in her passing Try, oh try to cling to her Until she becomes everlasting The world's still blue, my word's still true I feel I'm turning hollow She does as she please, if ever she leaves I'll strangle upon the sorrow Oh me, oh my Who's gonna mark my time Oh me, oh my Who's gonna mark my time The road is past, tomorrow the sky Between sometimes is blinding Someday soon when I turn to cloud I will fly on her wings somehow Wrapped in the road and filled with above The ground seems to fade away Hold to the earth like a new born child Pray she returns someday Oh me, oh my Who's gonna mark my time Oh me, oh my Who's gonna mark my time Oh me, oh my Who's gonna mark my time Oh me, oh my Who's gonna mark my time
Plant and the Band of Joy do an amazing job here. I think (but may be wrong) they shifted this song out of a minor key. They were offered it as a demo by Townes Van Zandt's widow after a gig and if you listen to the original, he has honoured TVZ's spirit and legacy in quite stunning fashion. Make no mistake - in it's own way this is as good as anything he's ever done. Wow.
It's interesting how my brain works in relation to alternate versions of songs. This one took some time to grab me on its own merit (I hadn't heard the original first). It manages to be powerfully upbeat and melancholy at the same time. Then I heard TVZ's version and thought it was very dark and hopeless. I don't know what my take on it would be had I heard the orginal first. That's my point. Now it seems like two different songs with the same lyrics.
@@timchildress2048 great observation. TVZ wrote this very shortly before he died - you must have heard the demo, as I don't believe it was ever properly recorded (may be wrong)...
I love plant. Like I really do. But I wonder how much money people paid for this exclusive show and he's reading his lyrics off a sheet. I would be so disappointed. He sings it fantastic but he's unable to look his fans in the eye because he can't remember the lyrics like. That sucks. Kind hurts my heart. I'm not hating at all. Just making a comment. Love this version of the song!
