Buckskin Stallion Blues

Townes Van Zandt's 'Buckskin Stallion Blues' is a poignant exploration of unrequited love, longing, and the passage of time. The song opens with the imagery of a woman singing 'in tongues of silver' and crying 'on a summer storm,' setting a tone of beauty intertwined with sorrow. The narrator confesses his love for her, a love that remains unacknowledged and unreciprocated. This unfulfilled love leads him to a state of denial, as he repeatedly tells himself that he doesn't think about her anymore, even though her absence is palpable and painful.

The song delves into philosophical musings with lines like 'If three and four was seven only, where would that leave one and two?' and 'If love can be and still be lonely, where does that leave me and you?' These questions reflect the narrator's confusion and existential pondering about the nature of love and relationships. The juxtaposition of mathematical impossibilities with emotional realities underscores the complexity and often paradoxical nature of human emotions.

Van Zandt uses vivid metaphors to express his desire for escape and freedom. The buckskin stallion and the flying schooner symbolize his yearning to break free from his emotional turmoil and find solace. The repeated wish for 'your love forever' suggests that true love could be his ultimate escape, a way to sail 'into the light of day.' The song's imagery of 'pretty songs and pretty places' contrasts with the underlying sadness, as the narrator questions the meaning behind the laughter and faces he encounters, hinting at a deeper, unspoken sorrow.

'Buckskin Stallion Blues' is a masterful blend of lyrical beauty and emotional depth, capturing the essence of longing, unfulfilled love, and the search for meaning in a world filled with fleeting moments and unanswered questions.