Griffith's high school boyfriend, John, died in a motorcycle accident after taking her to the senior prom. He inspired many of her later songs. She was married to singer-songwriter Eric Taylor from 1976 to 1982. In the early 1990s, she was engaged to singer-songwriter Tom Kimmel.
which puts these lyrics into a different kind of light. Though the song was written by Dylan and not Griffith, she repurposed the lyrics beautifully to form a message to the young man who lost his life following their prom.
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled
From across that lonesome ocean
Griffith had an interesting beginning at age 12,
Griffith, the youngest of three siblings, was born in Seguin, Texas and grew up in Austin, where her family moved shortly after her birth. Her mother Ruelene was a real estate agent and amateur actress; her father, Marlin Griffith, was a graphic artist and barbershop quartet singer. Griffith began her music career at age 12, singing in a local coffeehouse. When she was a teenager her father took her to see Townes Van Zandt. At 14, she performed her first professional gig at the Red Lion Cabaret in downtown Austin. Her debut album, There’s a Light Beyond These Woods, was released in 1978; the cover was designed by her father.
Lyrics from "Boots of Spanish Leather."
Oh, I'm sailing away, my own true love
I'm sailin' away in the mornin'
Is there something I can send you from across the sea
From the place where I'll be landin'?
There's nothing you can send me, my own true love
There is nothin' I'm a-wishin' to be ownin'
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled
From across that lonesome ocean
Oh, but I just thought you might want something fine
Maybe silver or golden
Either from the mountains of Madrid
Or from the coast of Barcelona
If I had the stars of the darkest night
And the diamonds from the deepest ocean
I'd forsake them all for your sweet kiss
That's all I wish to be ownin'
Oh, I might be gone a long ole time
And it's only that I'm askin'
Is there something I can send you to remember me by?
To make your time more easy passin'?
How can, how can you ask me again?
Well, it only brings me sorrow
For the same thing I would want today
I would want again tomorrow
Oh, I got a letter on a lonesome day
It was from his ship a-sailin'
Sayin' I don't know when I'll be coming back again
It depends on how I'm feelin'
If you, my love, must think that away
I'm sure your mind is a-roamin'
I'm sure your thoughts are not with me
But with the country where you're goin'
So take heed, take heed of the western wind
Take heed of stormy weather
And yes, there is something you can send back to me
Spanish boots of Spanish leather
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