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about

This song is about the late great Townes van Zandt

lyrics

Deck of ’52 (© Linda McRae/James Whitmire)

He lived life like he played cards but the deck had grown colder
January one he bet all he had and felt her hand upon his shoulder
when he drew the ace of spades all 3 had come before
his chances numbered 52 and he had played them all

CH On the day four aces flew to heaven
his words turned to gold

Nothing in his pack but his second record outside Pinky’s he hitched a ride
the ride ended before his work did he was a guitar slinger no one could deny
when she spread her wings around him on the day they laid him low
his white angel who'd always been there with him took him home

CH On the day four aces flew to heaven
his words turned to gold

The sun burned out in Galveston all his childhood memories
he didn’t know his mother or the words they told him they’re no longer his stories

Shut the rubber curtain block out the light he’s in his room drinking Bali Hai wine
with Lightnin’ Hopkins and Bobby Dylan it don’t matter if it’s day if it’s night

CH Because today four aces up in heaven
turned his words turned to gold

The outlaw jacks cried a silent tear for a friend they couldn’t save
and if by chance you had listened close you could almost hear them say

we could have had him any day
we only let him go so wrong
out of kindness I suppose

credits

from Rough Edges and Ragged Hearts, released October 11, 2012
Written by Linda McRae / James Whitmire

L. McRae: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Marc L’Esperance: Fiddle
Stephen Nikleva: Electric Guitars
Tommy Babin: Upright Bass

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Linda McRae Kingston Springs, Tennessee

Linda's soaring, honest vocals hold nothing back. She nails a song to the wall. This gifted singer/songwriter/musician and holder of 3 platinum albums, plays clawhammer banjo, acoustic guitar, accordion and porchboard, combining old-time sounds with universal themes of heartbreak & redemption offering an intriguing sepia postcard from the past that is vibrant and alive in the present. ... more

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