A Weathered Acceptance Where Life Is Faced One Day, One Verse at a Time
In 1984, on the PBS series Austin Pickers, Jerry Jeff Walker sat down in a relaxed Austin setting alongside guitarist John Inmon and delivered a performance of “Takin’ It As It Comes” that felt as natural as breathing. By this stage in his career, Walker had already lived many musical lives, from Greenwich Village folk circles to the rowdy, free-spirited Texas outlaw scene. Yet here, there is no trace of that restless edge. What we hear instead is something steadier, more reflective, a man who has learned not to fight life quite so hard.
“Takin’ It As It Comes” is not built on dramatic storytelling or lyrical complexity. Its strength lies in its philosophy. The idea is simple, almost disarmingly so: you face what comes, you carry what you can, and you let the rest pass through. In lesser hands, such a message might feel passive or even indifferent. But in the voice of Jerry Jeff Walker, it feels earned. There is history behind every line, a sense that these are not just words, but conclusions drawn from years of living, losing, and moving on.
The performance itself reflects that same ease. Accompanied by John Inmon’s understated guitar work, Walker does not rush the song. He allows space between the phrases, giving each line time to settle. His voice, slightly worn at the edges, carries a warmth that feels familiar, like an old conversation picked up again after many years. For older listeners, this quality resonates deeply. It speaks to a stage in life where certainty is less important than understanding, where acceptance becomes its own kind of strength.
There is also something distinctly Texan in the atmosphere of this recording. The Austin setting is not just a backdrop. It shapes the performance. The informality, the closeness between musicians, the absence of polish all contribute to a feeling of authenticity. This is not a performance designed to impress. It is one meant to connect.
What lingers most about this 1984 rendition is its quiet honesty. Jerry Jeff Walker does not offer grand insights or emotional climaxes. Instead, he presents a way of looking at the world that feels both humble and resilient. Life will bring its share of uncertainty, the song seems to say, but there is a kind of peace in meeting it without resistance.
Looking back now, “Takin’ It As It Comes” stands as a gentle reminder of that philosophy. It is not a song that demands attention, but one that stays with you, slowly, patiently, like a thought you return to over time. And in that simplicity, it finds a truth that feels all the more lasting.