Cave In: Songs Of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III

The Hole

The 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’d better go

She slid her arm around my neck

And 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

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

I’ll miss, I said, a girl I know

I can’t just leave there to pine

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

He’ll end up down here too

Then her pale green eyes began to glow

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

I spun myself around

Made a dive for the passageway

But the walls come crashing 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 the Gods of men

Fame and fortune just laughed at me

Then silence once again

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

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

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 just might be something down there

Wants to gobble up your soul

Cave In with the single The Hole

«I got into The Hole via the Acoustic Blue record, which was one of those instances where I randomly saw the CD very cheap while record shopping. I introduced that song to Caleb, and it certainly had an impact on him. We agreed it’s one of Townes’s heaviest and best songs that seems to be under the radar, perhaps because of the period he wrote and recorded it (later in his career). The imagery in the lyrics was something that grabbed us both, and I remember Caleb talking about how he tried to create images while writing his own lyrics».

The Hole is originally written be Townes Van Zandt. The music of this cover version is written by Cave In. The Hole is released on the Songs Of Townes Van Zandt Vol III album released on My Proud Mountain Records in Europe and Neurot Recordings in the USA.

Townes passed away at the age of 52 on January 1, 1997 in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Many believe he was a genius, and sing his sad, brilliant songs and his music touches people. In 2012 My Proud Mountain, that was established specifically for this purpose, released the LP Songs Of Townes Van Zandt to which the singers and guitarists of the band Neurosis, Scott Kelly & Steve Von Till, as well as the singer of Saint Vitus, Wino, contributed nine of Townes’ songs.

The reason: the discovery of Townes Van Zandt by someone who didn’t know him before. But by the interpretation of the Townes Van Zandt songs of the mentioned musicians, a love arose that finally led to this record.

And so it continued. The love to Townes’ music brought other musicians together and Songs Of Townes Van Zandt Vol III was generated.

All of them guitarists and singers of – in the various genres – beloved and successful metal/psychodelic bands. All of them fans of one man: Townes Van Zandt.

Track Listing:

1. Marissa Nadler – Quicksilver Daydreams Of Maria

2. Amenra – Black Crow Blues

3. Cave In – Nothin’

4. Amenra – Kathleen

5. Cave In – The Hole

6. Amenra – Flyin‘ Shoes

7. Marissa Nadler – Sad Cinderella

8. Cave In – At My Window

9. Marissa Nadler – None But The Rain

This month, the third album of Songs Of Townes Van Zandt featuring Amenra, Cave In and Marissa Nadler was finally released. To go along with its release, here’s the new video by Cave In for “The Hole”.

Cave In mastermind Steve Brodske about the history of the album: «In the winter of 2010, I did a solo tour with Scott Kelly of Neurosis and Bob Wayne. It was the 3 of us and Ansgar Glade traveling in Bob’s green machin” van around the UK and Ireland. At every show, Scott played the song “Caroline” and each time I heard it, I found myself enraptured. This was my introduction to Townes Van Zandt. Pretty cool that 10 years later, Ansgar has given me and Cave In this great opportunity to show our love for TVZ’s music».

Beloved American singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt passed away at the age of 52 on January 1st, 1997, in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. His music touches people. Many believe he was a genius, and sing his sad, brilliant songs. Imagine if he was still creating music, in a time when artists themselves decide what to release and when to do it – something that songwriters of his era often were unable to do.

In 2012, the label My Proud Mountain was established specifically for the purpose or releasing the first Songs Of Townes Van Zandt LP, to which the singers and guitarists of the band Neurosis – Scott Kelly and Steve Von Till – and Saint Vitus/The Obsessed’s Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich contributed nine Van Zandt songs. The goal was to introduce these brilliant works to fans who may have never heard the originals, but through the interpretation of the songs through the mentioned musicians, would lead them to do so.

In 2014, Songs Of Townes Van Zandt Vol. II carried on the tradition, this time featuring songs from John Baizley of Baroness, Nate Hall of US Christmas, and Mike Scheidt of Yob.

And now in 2022 My Proud Mountain once again in conjunction with Neurot Recordings announces the third record of the Songs Of Townes Van Zandt series, which was started in 2012, featuring various artists covering the works of beloved American singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. Songs Of Townes Van Zandt Vol. III features new renditions of nine classic tracks as interpreted by Amenra, Cave In, and Marissa Nadler.

Steve Brodsky of Cave In stated about being part of the record, ‘In the winter of 2010, I did a solo tour with Scott Kelly of Neurosis and Bob Wayne. It was the three of us and Ansgar Glade traveling in Bob’s ‘green machine’ van around the UK and Ireland. At every show, Scott played the song ‘Caroline’ and each time I heard it, I found myself enraptured. This was my introduction to Townes Van Zandt. Pretty cool that ten years later, Ansgar has given me and CAVE IN this great opportunity to show our love for TVZ’s music.’

Lennart Bossu of Amenra says, «Being Belgians, the very American folk and country of Townes Van Zandt is not exactly the music we grew up listening to, but upon discovering his songs in our early twenties, they immediately struck a chord with us. Even people who do not understand the lyrics can probably tell that they are listening to someone who has lived and suffered, and, oddly enough, at the same time find deep comfort in his soothing voice. It is the kind of comfort that often defines  great music or art in general, and it made the prospect of trying our own hand at a few of his songs no less daunting. Nonetheless, when we were asked to be part of this collection of Townes Van Zandt cover songs, we felt excited and compelled to be part of it, as, in a way, it offered us a chance to do something in return for the great songs he has given us, and also be a part of a series of albums that are almost exclusively comprised of artists we deeply respect».

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Marissa Nadler offers, «C‘I’ve been a fan of Townes Van Zandt’s music for nearly as long as I’ve been writing songs. When I was starting out, a friend introduced me to Townes’s music, and I pretty much instantly fell in love with both the rawness of his songs as well as the intense sense of longing expressed within them. His lyrics are haunting and evocative and have inspired me endlessly. These melodies will linger with you, year after year, and hopefully keep you company along the way».

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