The Hole
Townes Van Zandt
The elderly old woman finally caught me
Sneakin' 'round her cave.
Her hair looked just like barbwire, boys,
And her smile just like the grave.
She asked me: "could I stay awhile?"
I said "I believe I'd better go."
She slid her arm around my neck
And she sweetly whispered "No".
"It's cold and dark and lonely here,
As soon enough you'll see...
I'm oh so glad you stumbled in:
I've been cravin' company."
"I cannot stay too long you know,
I left some friends at home..."
"Don't you fret about your friends:
Down here we're all alone."
"What about my mother?
I can't just leave her there to mourn..."
"You don't have to think about her;
Just forget you were ever born."
"And I'll disappoint my father;
You know he worked so hard for me!"
"If you have to pay your father back,
Just send him some misery."
"And I'll miss," I said, "a girl I know,
I can't just leave there to pine."
"Ah she's still got plenty of men to go:
I'm sure she'll do just fine."
"What about my little boy?"
She said, "He's just like you:
Let a few short years roll by,
And he'll end up down here too."
Then her pale green eyes began to glow
And she placed her hand on mine.
She smiled and said: "Don't worry:
You'll get used to me in time."
As her cold tongue flickered toward my throat,
I spun myself around:
I made a dive for the passageway,
But the walls came tumbling down.
Now her eyes were the only light
My fevered brain could see.
But I tore myself away from them
And fell down to my knees.
I've come too far, I can't get back,
I beseeched all the gods of men.
When fame and fortune just laughed at me,
And then silence once again.
Then a whisper deep within:
"Embrace the God of Love."
I lifted my face and through the tears,
I saw light fall from above.
I hurled myself into the wall,
I ripped and clawed my way;
Through the stinkin', clingin' loam,
Back to the light of day.
I crawled out into the wind again
With the sky upon my face.
I heard the earth sigh patiently
As it slid back into place.
Now I'm back among the ones I love
And I'm loved by them in turn.
And it's only on the darkest night,
That green eyed memory burns.
So walk my friends, in the light of day,
Don't go sneakin' 'round no holes.
There might be something down there,
That wants to gobble up your soul.
