To Live Is to Fly
Townes Van Zandt
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Won't say I love you, babe Won't say I need you, babe But I'm gonna get you babe And I will not do you wrong Living's mostly wasting time And I'll waste my share of mine But it never feels too good So let's don't take too long You're soft as glass And I'm a gentle man We got the sky to talk about And the earth to lie upon Days, up and down they come Like rain on a congadrum Forget most, remember some But don't turn none away Everything is not enough And nothin' is too much to bear Where you been is good and gone All you keep is the getting there To live is to fly Low and high So shake the dust off of your wings And the sleep out of your eyes Goodbye to all my friends It's time to go again Think of all the poetry And the pickin' down the line I'll miss the system here The bottom's low And the treble's clear But it don't pay to think too much On things you leave behind I will be gone But it won't be long I will be a'bringin' back the melodies And rhythm that I find We all got holes to fill Them holes are all that's real Some fall on you like a storm Sometimes you dig your own The choice is yours to make Time is yours to take Some sail upon/dive into the sea Some toil upon the stone To live is to fly Low and high So shake the dust off of your wings And the sleep out of your eyes Shake the dust off of your wings And the tears out of your eyes
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Townes Van Zandt
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
SONG CREATION"To Live Is to Fly" was written and performed by the legendary country singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt.
|
RELEASE DATEThe song was released on December 31, 1971, as a part of the studio album "High, Low and In Between."
|
SONG INSPIRATIONKnown for his poetic lyrics, often reflecting upon life and death, Van Zandt is believed to have captured some of his own life views in "To Live is to Fly."
|
SONG MEANING"To Live Is to Fly" is interpreted by many as showcasing a hopeful acceptance of life with its joys, sorrows, and inevitable end – a reflection of Van Zandt's own life battles with addiction and mental health issues.
|
SONG INFLUENCEMany consider this song one of Van Zandt's finest works because of its profound lyrics and beautiful melody.
|
COVER VERSIONS"To Live is To Fly" was covered by multiple artists after its release, including Steve Earle and Guy Clark, which displays its enduring popularity and influence.
|
ALBUM ACCOLADEThe album that features "To Live Is to Fly," "High, Low and In Between," is often ranked as one of Van Zandt's best records.
|
FUN FACTDespite its popularity after its release, "To Live Is to Fly" was not a commercial hit during Van Zandt's lifetime, which is often the case with his other songs.
|
LYRIC QUOTEA notable lyric from the song goes, "Everything is not enough, and nothin' is too much to bear, where you've been is good and gone all you keep is the getting there."
|
RELEVANCE TODAYThe song, much like Van Zandt's other works, remains relevant today. It still influences new generations of musicians and songwriters with its truthful articulations on life and death.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"To Live Is to Fly Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/5589754/Townes+Van+Zandt/To+Live+Is+to+Fly>.
Discuss the To Live Is to Fly Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In