Willie Nelson Reflects on Loss and Endurance in “Last Leaf”

Willie Nelson was 91 when he released his 76^th studio album, Last Leaf On The Tree. Produced by his youngest son, Micah, the title track finds the country legend reflecting on his long life and the people he’s lost along the way.

“Last Leaf” was written by Tom Waits and Kathleen Brennan, and first recorded by Waits for his 2011 LP Bad As Me. Speaking of endurance, Keith Richards sings backing vocals on the original. But the Waits’s version feels wobbly, like he had stumbled into a dark bar, and the only other patron was The Rolling Stones’ guitarist who submits and joins in on the bluesy hymn.

But in Nelson’s voice, it’s a sobering reflection from a vantage point that few will ever see.

Autumn Took the Rest

Using an autumn metaphor, Nelson ponders old age. When you’ve lived for nearly a century, it’s likely your loved ones are no longer around. So here he remains, observing one loss after the other.

I’m the last leaf on the tree,
The autumn took the rest.
But it won’t take me,
I’m the last leaf on the tree.

Though his loved ones have vanished like ghosts, he’s eager to meet the next generation.

When the autumn wind blows, they’re already gone,
They flutter to the ground; they just can’t hang on.
When there’s nothing in this world that I ain’t seen,
I greet all the new ones that are coming in green.

To reiterate his endurance, Nelson says he’s been around since President Eisenhower. Though “Ike” isn’t the only U.S. president he’s outlived.

They say I got staying power,
Here on the tree.
But I’ve been here since Eisenhower,
And I’ve outlived even he.

Here Through Eternity

Part of enduring is surviving. Nelson sings about harsh winters and pelting storms, acknowledging life’s hardships. And like some ancient, evolutionary appendage, here’s Nelson and his guitar Trigger.

And once he’s finally gone, he’ll return over and over again in songs, like an outlaw on the road again.

I fight off the snow, I fight off the hail,
Nothing makes me go; I’m like some vestigial tail.
I’ll be here through eternity, if you wanna know how long,
If they cut down this tree, I’ll show up in a song.

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