SHELTER FROM THE STORM by Bob Dylan
(with slight alterations)
I was in another lifetime one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness a creature void of form
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
And if I pass this way again you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death and men who are fighting to be warm
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Not a word was spoke between us there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter"
I was burned out from exhaustion buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile ravaged in the corn
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Now there's a wall between us something there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think it all began on a long-forgotten morn
"Come in" she said
"I am your shelter, love"
Well the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much it's doom alone that counts
The one-eyed undertaker he blows a futile horn
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Yes, I've heard newborn babies wailing like a mourning dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question man is it hopeless and forlorn
"Come in" she said
"Come in. Just come in."
In a little hilltop village they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and they gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Well, I'm living in a foreign country - I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
"Come in" she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"
Song Notes: I look forward to rearranging Dylan. His lyrics have a fantastic mix of story and impressionism. Each verse grew into something unique, creating a musical tapestry like a medley of short scenes. Please let the musical variations carry you from verse to verse like a boat on a winding river.
My favorite moment in this piece is when I sing "Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there." I get goosebumps listening, it is so visceral for me. From that moment to "Yes, I've heard newbord babies wailin' like a mourning dove," the variations tumble and flow with the kind of visual inspiration only great lyrics can induce. I'd love to do a project of just Dylan covers. Can't get enough of him.
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