The Tao of Willie (Willie Nelson's Way)

I will most likely mention Texas often, because living there had a tremendous influence on me, my mother was a native Texan, and I just plain love that big old crazy state. Still, I won't go back to live there unless it's to Fort Davis, because most of the state is also hotter and more humid than, well, hell. I've come to prefer living in high and dry country. And Austin is just too big now for me.

But when I moved there — and for a couple decades after — Austin was heaven, with a music scene ruled mostly by Willie. Among many other good things, Willie's a laid-back philosopher...and he's written a book, with a comedian/actor/writer named Turk Pipkin. The book is great reading, and I took a few nuggets from it to write a lyric...one that probably only Kris Kristofferson could pull off singing but won't, because he writes his own, far superior stuff.

So, another exercise in lyric exploration.

The Tao of Willie (Willie Nelson's Way)

Don't think negative thoughts;

Breathe and then let things go.

We're not in control.

If you live in the moment and live true to you

You'll go with the flow.

That's the Tao of Willie.

Don't know the Tao? Well, it knows you.

Love and laugh and just be.

Normal is a myth.

You are whatever you choose to believe,

And happiness is real.

That's the Tao of Willie.

BRIDGE

That's the Tao of Willie.

It may seem weird or a little bit silly,

But you know a man who's smoked that much pot

Ain't gonna tell you something's true if it's not.

So crown thy good with brotherhood;

Follow the Golden Rule.

Trust and tell the truth.

Nature will certainly win in the end,

'Til then, burn biofuel

That's the Tao of Willie.

You should buy the book right away...so you understand this lyric, heh heh...and because it's a great read with a wonderful perspective and good advice for all of us. The title is the same: The Tao of Willie.

(You can't copyright titles, so I'm not infringing!)