Townes van Zandt - Snowin' on Raton

I found some old Texas Connection VHS tapes and am converting them. This is from about 1990.

[@timhollimon2522]

I came to Nashville in 1984 to be a songwriter. After failed attempts to write commercial songs I just quit. This past year (2023 )I discovered Townes and he’s inspired me to write again and not worry about commercial boundaries. He moves me, changes me ,challenges me and inspires me ! I listen to him everyday.

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

Good luck Tim, the world needs soulful heartfelt music that will never make you enough money. Do it anyway, we need it now more then ever. Come to Terlingua if nothing else works out !

[@PoetClbrown]

When i began writing poetry, I was writing with no aspiration of sharing with a single other soul than my own. When a woman finally convinced me to share at an open mic, the audience was blown away. When I left, I went home and for 3 months I kept trying to write with the audiences's reaction in the front of my mind. The result was writers block. Nothing I wrote felt right. One day, I stopped myself and reminded myself of who I was. I started writing again what I felt. Not what I thought folks wanted to hear. I have since published 4 books. well over 600 poems between them all. Write as though the darkened room will be your only audience. Let your heart pump the life that courses through your soul, and you can't go wrong.

[@seenonyt2210]

@@PoetClbrown thanks for sharing this and for the advice! Good luck on your creative journey!

[@dwaynemurr447]

Best of luck

[@user-yc5lz6os3d]

He's such a talent loss way to early

[@beaverwithachainsaw]

Townes songs never fail to touch those of us who are lonely in a crowd.

[@douggodfrey6521]

The haunting sorrows & misses of yesterday .

[@mapples007]

Every time and I just love him so much. The road is truly one of my best friends.😭💕

[@cbnola6879]

well said

[@joelsmusic2141]

Word

[@user-od2gi7xk8e]

@@mapples007 i cry and ima fairly hard man

[@curtisscott02]

You know that Steve Earle said that Townes van Zandt was the best song writer ever and he would stand on Bob Dylans coffe table and say so. When Townes was asked what he thought about what Steve Earl had said, Townes replied, I have met Bob Dylan and have seen his body gaurds and I don't think Steve could get within a mile of his coffe table.

[@accountisdisabled]

Classic act, just like Phil Ochs.

[@doughvakiin9869]

Priceless anecdote. Thank you.

[@moilemoile1]

RIGHT!

[@konstantingeorgiev7521]

Later on Steve Earl said he was misunderstood when he said that. Regarding Townes and Dylan, its known that Dylan asked him a few times to do a song together, but Townes politely refused, not wanting the fame he will get being around Dylan.

[@nikolavujadin988]

Doesn't mean he wasn't better

[@konolinuing3753]

I dunno if anyones gonna see this but i just wanna say that im not an american, im all the way from the east side of asia, i really enjoy his songs, i have an old mind and givin my all in this soul of being american, thank you Townes, u inspired and made joy of an 18 year old, i'll visit texas one day, i promise

[@thegolfnut812]

Come visit Texas, you will be welcome.

[@egyptianswamp6041]

You’re a sharp mind with a appreciation of true art. Contact me. I’d love to share some beers.

[@400outthedoor2]

I hope you’re able to keep that promise; Texas is a wonderful place and should be experienced (especially Hill Country).

[@daviswall3319]

Right on

[@paulhobbs9454]

In May of 2014 I rode my Harley through Raton Pass. It snowed. I can relate to every word in this song.

[@LindaH-zm2il]

My husband came across Townes music shortly before my husband passed away. He played his music everyday.

[@magicjoeblack5761]

Your Husband had impeccable taste. And now he's at that Big Gig out there. Townes will more than likely be on the Bill.

[@netw52]

There are times when only Townes will do. Tonight is one of those times.

[@skismith39]

Amen

[@wonderstew]

I stumbled upon Townes shortly after my wife left me. I can’t stress how important it is when you’re deep in heartache to find something out there that resonates. The way this man wrote and performed helped me process my profound grief like nothing else.

[@melindaalden4303]

look

[@hemmmm845]

Wishing you recovery from the heartache ❤

[@unearthnoise4975]

he saved my life many times. wish he could have saved his own.

[@dwightmaciv4789]

Awwww

[@Guinevere.625]

💔

[@xiancode3682]

I know what you mean.

[@claytonmidgett7997]

Finding this man's music probably saved my life when I stumbled upon it several years back. Beautiful pain that sucks you in long enough to remind you that you are not the only person who hurts. Townes was great and is so very underrated and under-appreciated. I'm so happy more people have begun to find him.

[@gregmiller5907]

him and Gary Stewart

[@steruane3723]

better songwriter than dylan/anyone

[@curtisjosey6213]

I agree

[@tripp8833]

agree. Sort of like the movie "melancholia", pain/depression often seems beautiful from an outside perspective.

[@robertbean3936]

Thanks for summarizing my thoughts. I am ASHAMED I have just discovered TVZ; but I'm going through my first real heartbreak @ 54....and this collection I've made of his songs just might have saved my life tonight.

[@andaolsen1539]

This is the song that I played and played and played after my beloved died. Telling myself that I would get through it. By morning I would be through those hills and gone. So four years later.. it was a such a comfort.

[@moewells100]

I play a lot of vinyl records at our cabin. I experiment, drift, gamble with new artists etc. But at the end of the night when the beer cans are empty, I always return to Townes. He is my north star.

[@propstick]

God, this song is something special. I must have listened to this a couple hundred times. I can't get enough.

[@lukasnummer1]

"Shall I cast my dreams upon your love, babe? And lie beneath the laughter of your eyes... " - Townes Van Zandt, a helplessly romantic partisan of beauty until the bitter end.

[@nicksartino]

That guy in the audience yelling "Wooo!" after Townes says 'babe' always makes me smile. Something about the whole Texas macho stereotype getting obliterated by a simple, perfectly placed line gets me every time.

[@robertmiller4993]

Townes was doing this song once and was having trouble and Blaze Foley got up and sang a few verses with him and then sat back down when he had it...classic

[@George-and-Anastasiia]

❤I came to America recently. and now I listen to country music, I really like it 😊

[@bobmurdock-q8p]

I met Townes after he and a few friends drove their car off of the top of Independence Pass in the middle of the night in a snow storm and dropped several hundred feet down off the edge. Some friends of mine discovered them by tracks going off the side of the road. This was way before cell phones, so some of my group hung out with them while others went down the hill for help. It was morning before help arrived, and Townes and his group ended up staying with us for a few weeks - good times.........

[@maillist710]

The line" You cannot hold a lover that has gone.." is one of my favorites of all times.

[@coloradohikertrash9958]

The two best versions of this song I ever heard were by Towns and my father. Such a sad feeling knowing neither one of them will ever play it again...

[@tomosgruffyddroberts-young9708]

I logged in just to like this comment. I'm also a big Bob Dylan fan, but I also love Townes Van Zandt much, much more. A legend.

[@samanthaoaklandcd]

Townes van Zandt was a huge talent, absolutely huge.

[@AzraelCame2nite]

This song, this melancholy celebration of lost love , life and adventure, just means so much to me.

[@jamespayne7091]

I met Townes In NYC in the late 70's he was there for a meeting with a record company I was instructed not to let the man drink for the two hours he was to stay in my apartment before his meeting. Needless to say that did not fly with Mr Van Zandt I had to go out and get a couple quarts of beer and we had a lovely time together. At the time I knew only his song Poncho and Lefty he was a superb song writer.

[@BrainMusicCenter]

Most underrated singer/songwriter. Townes was amazing and deserved much more recognition.

[@CDSarahMillward]

Love this, really moves me - Towne s had that vulnerability and longing in his voice, a sense of great hurt and loneliness, channelling the spirit of Hank Williams. His words are like poetry too, what he conveys in such simple language.

[@BlueBeeMCMLXI]

You like the obvious, thanks for sharing your obvious.

[@daveb673]

An infinite combination of words were possible, and Townes chose the perfect combination every time!!! Blows my mind

[@francescopetrucci2999]

He died 2 days before the day I was born. Today as a musician and songwriter I think Townes is my best inspirer

[@MickHuerta]

Francesco Petrucci, still waiting for you to post a song... Would love to hear what Townes inspired. Play on, hermano!

[@steveroberts8719]

Great to hear that younger people are discovering Townes. I am 66 and was there at the beginning. When I first saw him perform, I was so moved by this man's music that the next day I went out and purchased a cheap used guitar and spent all my days learning to play just so I could eventually play his songs. Took some years and days of practice but I reached my goal and now I pick up the ol' guitar and play his songs. An inspiration to many. RIP, my good friend. Yours was a life, however truncated, well lived.

[@ShanesSquirrelShack]

He died 16 days before I was born. Kinda feel the same way!

[@lbshore]

Man, I love this song. Townes was the greatest of them all.

[@josh77711]

2024 and still keeping this beautiful song alive

[@GatelliteSimp]

One of America's greatest songwriters. Thanks for the upload.

[@robertoaguirre8906]

Years ago, I worked and lived in Trinidad. I traveled between Trinidad and Raton more times than I can count. The pass can get pretty nasty in winter. This song brings back many memories.

[@williamstevens6414]

I still miss Townes....what a talent.

[@royosborne849]

A true artist. Every song touches your soul. A beautiful person gone way to soon. Thank you. Roy in Knoxville Tennessee

[@kennyd30720]

The Walt Whitman of American songwriting. He always painted a beautiful picture of experiences, or of time & place that not everyone has been but can relate to. Who can't appreciate the Man for what he spent his whole life trying to do?

[@demiglace2000]

"you can not turn the circle of he sun, you can't not count the miles until you feel them and you can not hold a lover that is gone" WTF that is good!

[@Dr.JeremyDunks]

THE greatest country artist that ever walked this planet, hands down.

[@TheLawlessland]

Just as I was getting used to Townes being gone- no more Guy and Townes @ funky dives-can't believe Guy's gone!

[@kakenetit2]

It shakes me

[@Mark8395217]

I am grateful for many things in my life... this is one of them...

[@horsehide3039]

Lyrically, Townes had a way that thumbed his nose, threw the finger and laughed in the face of conventional hit makers. You hear it in all of his songs but this is a really good example of it. Deep AND wide.

[@JHAM3232]

Townes is certainly one of the top 10 songwriters ever. I wish we had him here for longer.

[@joelsmusic2141]

Oh he's number 1 my friend

[@johnturner4300]

tvz is America's best writer and I love to hear him too!!!!!!!!

[@THICCTHICCTHICC]

I've listened to this song so many times that I think I may have even been an instigator of the Dylan / TVZ discussion in these comments 12+ years ago, on a now deleted account. I'm almost in my 30s now and this song comes into my mind all the time.

[@brigittebowman9113]

My favourite Townes song for a while now but it changes. The best songwriter ever ❤

[@3rdcoastnyucka]

I relate to this song driving to Trinidad and back from Texas for some green. Peace and Love.

[@lavonnacasey5724]

3rdcoastnyucka Me too. I made a lot of trips over Raton Pass Colorado to Texas & New Mexico and back .

[@mariettegratton9156]

I thank my son for giving me the chance to get to know and appreciate Townes Van Zandt"s music! What a fabulous singer/songwriter!

[@luketdrifter2100]

Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt are both amazing song writers, the only difference is, Townes did it all while not giving a shit if he was famous or not.....Townes is THE American song writer. Then there is everyone else.

[@aachen800]

Looking down you nose at fame used to be a fixture of Texas culture. Now Texas has become California like the rest of them.

[@debbiemcwilliams2789]

Look at any album from the 70s through the 1980s.... Townes Van Zant is gonna be there...that's how I discovered him years ago and thanks to KZbin I get to discover the man again ♥️

[@bluemountainjamboree]

Spot on!

[@tomformanek3312]

Wow. That is a bit condescending toward everyone else's taste. I agree Townes was great. I still give John Prine a huge amount of credit for his abilities too. No apologies.

[@johnlux6635]

I love Dylan's music when done by someone else. Townes could sing.

[@simmo303]

Marvellous. Sad that he found no one to save him. A great loss to this genre of music.

[@joelsimms4636]

One of my favorite songs by him right here. Thank you Townes.

[@frodoggbooboo]

Beautiful. His voice is soothing.

[@jspmho]

Pure gold.

[@etherashe5164]

I was just out that way last fall. Hoboing. "So thankful that old road's a friend of mine." Townes was brilliant.

[@whitefeet1]

I heard Butch Hancock do this one in Austin in 1981, coming off my carpentry job and knocking back a longneck in the bar of the old Alamo Hotel, and I would not trade that time for anything.... It took two wrecking balls six months to knock that hotel down, but these songs will be here forever.

[@dianebiram5519]

My all-time fave Townes song - like all his music beautifully layered. First time I heard this I dragged out the old atlas and found Raton. Great music is always a discovery.

[@dsimms561]

I've driven Raton Pass many times in the snow, coming home at Christmas to see my mom in Pueblo, Colorado

[@catdurie8982]

Raton is my Dad’s home town

[@SaulRosenberg]

Truly sublime. “Until quite modern times all teachers and even all men believed the universe to be such that certain emotional reactions on our part could be either congruous or incongruous to it-believed, in fact, that objects did not merely receive, but could merit, our approval or disapproval, our reverence or our contempt.” CS Lewis

[@alanb6612]

THE ONLY ARTIST THAT BRINGS EMOTION AND HEART RENDING VIBES IN THE HISTORY OF RECORDED MUSIC .

[@georgeovitt5443]

Thank you for posting this beautiful song by a brilliant songwriter.

[@frodoggbooboo]

Just found him April 2017. Love the artistry and appreciate all videos uploaded by KZbin contributors.

[@dansmit8325]

Perfect song. Beautifully constructed. And it's obvious that this song is for Joanna. Undoubtedly the love of his life. And his best friends wife.

[@ootooshohnuh]

just recently heard the songs of Townes, do not know how have missed him, a great ballads. we lost him way too soon wado for posting

[@DaveDugganITPro]

this is a gem that you have shared

[@davekipka3779]

Thanks for posting this great video one of my favorite songs so thankful for all great Texas singer song writers

[@williamzander9708]

I ran that road and you can feel that song it is one of the most powerful songs about struggling in life and the beauty of the roads with the weather changing . Robert Earl King does this version too and it’s great .

[@GRINEPHUNT]

Can't hold a lover that is gone. . . Love it, Home!!!

[@rafaelwillems3244]

There are only two things I regret, and one of them is I never went to listen to Townes - just around the corner here in the south of the Netherlands, our little Texas. Hopelessness that sounds so beautiful... ;(

[@written12]

Amazing what Townes could with three chords, one guitar, and that proud but desolate voice.

[@melissajanecesariaerickson767]

So many Sundays driving over Raton Pass. Thanks for reminding me of the memories.

[@georgemoore8832]

Flying shoes and this song are my favorite TVZ songs. those 2 songs have got me through some real dark moments. Thanks and RIP Townes.

[@nicthstic]

Drove through that pass on my way from Lubbock to Pueblo. A pretty desolate place. Wish I knew of this song back then, I might have looked at the landscape differently. What a great song writer.

[@bassmangotdbluz3547]

I drove through Raton Pass just yesterday and this song was ringing in my mind. I miss this guy.

[@640down]

THANK you!! for converting the tapes, Townes is gone but he was a great writer and singer.

[@robschafer2740]

A talent for the Ages ... this one & "Loretta" & "Pancho & Leftie" & on & on & on ...

[@Waylonstillthebest]

Love this song, takes me back home. "Don't want to be through them hills and gone."

[@raphaelkoster6099]

Townes brought me his new album when I was a dj at kokefm austin 1974.......so I picked this one to play on the air..poncho and lefty too !!

[@jamiebyrne458]

I remember meeting the Great Steve Earle in Jacksons Hotel in Co Donegal ROI and he was everything i always thought he was and i asked if he had seen Townes lately and he just said ya i seen him and he is just the same as he always was. I diden't take to much from that. RIP Townes never will you leave me .........

[@GrovedaleAlberta]

This version is definitely the best version

[@michaelcollins9698]

I used to drive from Amarillo, where I grew up, to my Uncle Jigg's house on Colorado street in Trinidad. Many dark nights I got caught in a snowstorm on Raton Pass.

[@ridgedallas7649]

Small world

[@michaelcollins9698]

@Robert Shorthill Not fun, especially in my Mom's 61 Cadillac.

[@wildeyedherman3102]

@@michaelcollins9698 I thought you were in Ireland fighting for Irish independence, sir.

[@michaelcollins9698]

@@wildeyedherman3102 Did you recognize my Corkonian accent? Driving to Trinidad was very much like the rocky road to Dublin.

[@lynnwood7331]

Townes and Raton Pass both national treasures!😻

[@caitlinflynn2791]

Townes will never disappoint you.

[@jasontimmons2642]

A buddy of mine died a couple months ago for some reason this song helps me think of him being at peace and not in this shit world anymore

[@DanoMSP]

Wow. Loved his music, and especially his writing. A man who left wonderful messages, but not heard nor seen by many. Thanks Steven Swinnea for sharing...

[@nomadjeff1922]

Man, I've made that drive a bunch of times.

[@DeeMoback]

Me too

[@cbkspa]

Allways loved Townes,,,,Allways will. A truely beautiful man.

[@longtalljay]

A finer poem shall never be written.

[@briscoesjug1026]

You can feel his soul when he sings or mine either way love this man

[@luketdrifter2100]

They both have their place in history. Townes is my drug.

[@littlefirelight]

Thank you so very much for sharing Townes for the world to hear. You are a gem!!

[@jamiebyrne458]

01 01 1997 to early. Rest in peace Townes.

[@TheTRoseist]

Hi jthinc23, Townes is a relatively recent discovery for me. I fell head over heels for him about a year ago and haven't been able to listen to anything since! I wish I would have had him in my wild, wild hitchhiking days.

[@thomashermann2785]

Love this song and Raton pass is no place to be when it snows

[@davidtowner-jones5386]

Can't listen to this without my eyes welling up and don't know why.

[@Sparrowhawk155]

When these types of songs are led better, Townes will lead them.

[@celticcowgirl1009]

Thank you for sharing this, this man is close to my heart and a long-time favourite.

[@jthinc23]

Ha that's funny, I hitched across, well, up, that time, listening mostly to Townes some years back and it fit so perfectly with everything in my life, and I'm guessing that's what you mean too.

[@clarke459]

I used to play alot of Dylan, I haven't learned any more songs of his in a while, I've learned about 15 Townes songs and a couple Blaze Foley songs in the last 6 months. I can't find lyrics I like to sing more than Townes'

[@thegolfnut812]

I agree. I'm learning several TVZ songs, I just wish I could sing when I play. Well I can but no one wants to hear me except the dogs.

[@MrDrewlips]

@@thegolfnut812 😄

[@davidmccaffery7977]

Keep on singing 🙂

[@frankburton320]

Brilliant.just brilliant. What i would have given to have shared a beer with Townes and Blaze. Two of the most honest guys i never got to meet

[@jasminaogrady7470]

If you like this you might also like John Prine, Steve Goodman and Michael Hurley!

[@frankburton320]

@@jasminaogrady7470 good morning. Love all those guys too. John Prine,was a poetic Genious,loved the years he did together with Steve Goodman

[@bjorn240]

Thanks for this. Lovely song and nice to hear Townes sing it.

[@GrahamByrne63]

Townes is a true songwriter I wonder how many songwriters he’s inspired.. he certainly inspired me ..

[@DocRich99]

Thanks for posting - this is so beautiful.

[@mdogg1604]

I, too, discovered Townes late in life. Now I'm pepped just a bit for when it's my soul's turn to fly.

[@danacunningham4779]

feeling too many miles I just need this song. thank you, may the miles reach up to meet you. (in the best way possible thanks)