A stone thrown from Heaven, skippin’ ‘cross the water
Would disappear in ripples left behind
A book with no cover, a rhyme with no reason
Guess i’ll always be one of the rovin’ kind

‘Cause movin’s in my soul, i guess a gypsy boy got a hold
Of somebody in my family long ago
If some night while half asleep you hear the back door softly squeak
You’ll touch my empty pillow,then you’ll know

That restless wind,is calling me again
Her warmin’ hand is tuggin’ at my soul
Summer’s gone,and winter’s comin’ on
And i can’t let it catch me standin’ in the cold

– From “Restless Wind” (one of his best songs)

–

“He may be the best songwriter alive
today” – Willie Nelson

«He’s a real writer like Hemmingway.
He’s timeless» – Kris Kristofferson

«Billy Joe is unique. One of a kind.
They threw away the mold. The best.»
– Robert Duvall

I’m listening to Billy Joe Shaver
And i’m reading James Joyce
-Bob Dylan (I Feel a Change Comin’ On)

Billy Joe Shaver turned 73 yesterday.

He is one of my greatest “Honky Tonk Heroes”, but due to Elvis’s  death the same day in 1977.. I could not put him first in yesterdays calendar post.

I need to honor him someway.. this is it…

«Throughout my career as a songwriter, I’ve just written songs about me – the good and the bad, the funny and the sad….. – Billy Joe Shaver

«The songs are my story…» – Billy Joe shaver

«..I’ve lost part of three fingers, broke my back, suffered a heart attack and a quadruple bypass, had a steel plate put in my neck and 136 stiches in my head, fought drugs and booze, spent the money I had, and burried my wife, son & mother in the span of one year…»… .. «I’m not proud of my misfortune – I’m proud of my survival» – Billy Joe Shaver

From Wikipedia: 

Birth name	Billy Joe Shaver
Born	August 16, 1939 (age 73)
Origin	Corsicana, Texas, United States
Genres	Country Music Outlaw Country
Occupations	Singer and Songwriter
Instruments	Acoustic Guitar
Associated acts	Lee Clayton Jessi Colter Waylon Jennings Kris Kristofferson Willie Nelson Mickey Newbury Steve Young Johnny Cash
Website	www.billyjoeshaver.com

From amazon.com:

Willie Nelson says “Billy Joe Shaver may be the best songwriter alive today,” and legions of fans agree that Billy Joe is the real deal. Many describe his songs as pure poetry. Shaver sings about a life that’s been full of hard times, wild living, and a forty-year-long passion for his late wife Brenda. His songs are raw, honest, and so true that people hear the story of their own lives in his music. No wonder, then, that his songs have also been recorded by artists such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, George Jones, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Patty Loveless, John Anderson, Tom T. Hall, the Allman Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Tex Ritter.

Here is my list of his 15 best songs:

1. Live Forever
2. Restless Wind
3. Georgia on a Fast Train
4. When The Fallen Angels Fly
5. Fit To Kill And Going Out In Style
6. I’m just an old Chunk of Coal
7. Black Rose
8. Old Five & Dimers Like Me
9. Honkey Tonk Heroes
10. You Asked Me To
11. Ride Me Down Easy
12. Highway of Life
13. Heart of Texas
14. Willie The Wandering Gypsy and Me
15. Moonshine & Indian Blood

Some videos from youtube:

Live Forever (best version):

I’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna cross that river
I’m gonna catch tomorrow now
You’re gonna wanna hold me
Just like I’ve always told you
You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

Nobody here will ever find me
But I will always be around
Just like the songs I leave behind me
I’m gonna live forever now

You fathers and you mothers
Be good to one another
Please try to raise your children right
Don’t let the darkness take ’em
Don’t make ’em feel forsaken
Just lead ’em safely to the light

When this old world is blown us under
And all the stars fall from the sky
Remember someone really loves you
We’ll live forever you and I

I’m gonna live forever
I’m gonna cross that river
I’m gonna catch tomorrow now

Restless Wind:

Georgia on a Fast Train:

When the Fallen Angels Fly (finally some live video…:):

Black Rose – GREAT live version (Austin City Limits):

A lot of his best songs.. and best versions of his best songs missing on spotify.. but here are some:

Recommended reading:

“Honky Tonk Hero” (Billy Joe Shaver)

– Egil (yours in Honky Tonk 🙂