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Bob Dylan — Shelter From The Storm
Album: Blood on the Tracks
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3696









Released: 1975
Length: 4:55
Plays (last 30 days): 4
'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue 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 from the storm"

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes an' 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 standin' 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, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an noneventful morn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' 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, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation an' she 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 livin' in a foreign country but 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"
Comments (458)add comment
There are a lot of Dylan fans who don't particularly like his voice and I am one of them,  but I may have to rethink on that.

I have RP on as background music almost every day.  Three days per week our daughter, (who does not like Dylan) leaves her 1-year-old son with myself and my wife for a couple of hours.  AND every time a Dylan song gets played our grandson looks toward my computer and smiles.  Call me senile if you wish, but I now have a greater respect for Dylan"s voice and came via a BABY!
Perfect.  Don't change a thing.
Bob Dylan...simply...the best.
 jelgator wrote:



OMG this is the best comment ever.  And I must concur, this song is horrid.


Listen,

Bob is well known for responding to people's opinions about his singing and songs.  You should write him letters and let him know you think so little of him.  I'm sure he will change his style. Maybe sing more like Ed Sheeran.   

FYI: I saw him twice in opera houses in early Oct 2023.  It was spellbinding. Mesmerizing.  Hypnotizing. 


 
A Nobel for THIS?
May Bob always have shelter from any storm. 
 dwlangham wrote:

Whoooa up there, Bob. Before you get started on this too long song, I'm going to PSD the fuck out of it.




OMG this is the best comment ever.  And I must concur, this song is horrid.
I love Bob, over the years I’ve even grown to love his voice…
This is what I call "next-level" songwriting. Dylan set the bar high.
 idiot_wind wrote:
 
 
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"
Sorry, painfully repetitive
Sometimes I think Bob uses random words for effect, other times it is magnificent imagery. In the former case I think it is me not understanding, but I’m never sure…
It is at that.
Ah...the undeniable force at the top of his game. 

Ain't it grand? 
Like a Rolling Stone may be my favorite Dylan song. This is likely the second.

And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn.... 
These lyrics are brilliant. Rhyme, rhythm and the flow of it all besides the sharpness and incisiveness of the words themselves. 
Alway enjoyed this recording, but coincidentally I watched “Saint Vincent” last night. Wonderful film with Bill Murray. At the end, during the credits, he sings along with Zimmy this very tune. Good watch!
 thais wrote:

Do you think you can just let it go by clicking PSD button?
No way!!!!
Come on, fellas: hate it !!!!

Otherwise, this world will start to become a pleasant place to live (and I think you will not like it).
Not that the world needs you, but for every stupid text you write an ironic smile is born in the faces of people of goodwill and good manners.



The world is more pleasant for a diversity of opinions and tastes. The unpleasant part is the ranting and raving about a small minority of people who don't care for this song (like me) when it's obvious the VAST majority of listeners love and respect this song and Bob Dylan. It's okay that some people don't like the same things you like. The world will keep spinning and our lives will continue unabated.

That being said, I really REALLY don't like Bob Dylan's voice, so I can't go higher than 5. Have fun! 
all right

another dylan Thanksgiving song 
Had a roommate in '83-'84 named Jeff who used to play this record at least once a day. At the time, I agreed it was good, but maybe not every-dang-day-good. We then saw Bob the summer of '84, on his Joker Man Tour, at Red Rocks, and I'll admit, I probably surprised a few folks with how much Dylan I played after that; it's a lot easier to appreciate when you can better see and feel where he's coming from.
based upon these lyrics...he should get another Nobel 
NFW
Every time I hear this I stop what I'm doing and focus on the music.  It speaks to me in a way few other songs do.  It's truly magnificent.
Dylan was into Joni Mitchell's Blue album when he wrote this material. The open tunings on a lot of these songs are a direct Joni influence. "Joni Mitchell had an album out called Blue. And it affected me, I couldn’t get it out of my head."
Whoooa up there, Bob. Before you get started on this too long song, I'm going to PSD the fuck out of it.
I reiterate my unpopular opinion that, while Dylan is an unparalleled songwriter, his performances are, just, ugh. It's the same complaint that people have about Geddy Lee's voice for Rush. I'll give you Hurricane and (maybe) Like A Rolling Stone, but most Dylan songs sound better when someone else performs it. 
 thais wrote:
WTF??!!!
A Dylan´s song rated "8,1" ??
And only 95 zeros (4%) ??????
What's going on with you, haters? Are you off?
Vacation? Do you think your task is over?
Wake up !!!!
You must hate it, because that's all you know to do.
So, do it !!!!
Hating Dylan is an undying sport.
So hate it !!!!
Do you think you can just let it go by clicking PSD button?
No way!!!!
Come on, fellas: hate it !!!!

Otherwise, this world will start to become a pleasant place to live (and I think you will not like it).
Not that the world needs you, but for every stupid text you write an ironic smile is born in the faces of people of goodwill and good manners.

****
(This text should be ironically sophisticated, but I may not have been able to. I am sorry, English is not my mother language and fine irony is one of the most difficult arts).
 

No need to apologize. You did good. Real good. 
 markpeachey wrote:

I think you need that doobie to like this guy
 
Infinite beauty awaits those who can maneuver beyond their apprehensions.  Yes there are chemical shortcuts, but there are many other paths to take you beyond the superficialities of tone, rhyme, and production to feel the phrasing, unfold the metaphors, and sink into the brutally resonant authenticity of a trickster.
 thais wrote:
Do you think you can just let it go by clicking PSD button?

Yes.


Bill Murray
Deemed essential...
 drjimmy wrote:
Dylan has written some of the greatest love songs of all time, and that's just on this one album! Whether it's about love found (Shelter from the Storm), love lost (If You See Her, Say Hello), love found and lost repeatedly (Tangled Up in Blue) or love turned to hate (Idiot Wind), he does it all.
 
This is Dylan's divorce album (certainly I hummed Idiot Wind during my own divorce). Shelter from the Storm is about love quickly found (little risk involved, suddenly she was standing there) and lost (wall between us, signals crossed). I wonder if it as about a rebound relationship: you find shelter, but it's a temporary, reactionary romance as you bounce out of a failed marriage....
It's the words.  All put into an exceptional order.
WTF??!!!
A Dylan´s song rated "8,1" ??
And only 95 zeros (4%) ??????
What's going on with you, haters? Are you off?
Vacation? Do you think your task is over?
Wake up !!!!
You must hate it, because that's all you know to do.
So, do it !!!!
Hating Dylan is an undying sport.
So hate it !!!!
Do you think you can just let it go by clicking PSD button?
No way!!!!
Come on, fellas: hate it !!!!

Otherwise, this world will start to become a pleasant place to live (and I think you will not like it).
Not that the world needs you, but for every stupid text you write an ironic smile is born in the faces of people of goodwill and good manners.

****
(This text should be ironically sophisticated, but I may not have been able to. I am sorry, English is not my mother language and fine irony is one of the most difficult arts).
I saw him a few years ago in Montreux. He was into some strange persona that I did not understand. Bless him for his ability to reinvent himself over the years. Never a dull moment.
 skyhigh_71 wrote:
I'm a selective Dylan fan, and this is one of his best IMHO.

Used to superb effect by Cameron Crowe to Close Jerry Maguire.
 
I used to be a selective Dylan fan, too, that is until I'd selected every last one.
I was 13 years old when I first heard this record, a gift from the gods. 
 jp33442 wrote:
Oh shit not more bob crap
 
Yay! More Bob crap! And it's "Bob", not "bob", unless you're tired of involuntarily bobbing for something. Maybe go easy on the Pinot for a while.
 taklalaratar wrote:
RP and Bob Dylan normality...
 
I'm beginning to learn that.
 jp33442 wrote:
Oh shit not more bob crap
 
Hey man,

I think they got over-the-counter remedies for what ails you. 
But the  thing is,  when you go to one of his shows, and he's singing this song, and  you got really good seats and stand up, and he stares at you while he's singing this.... its pretty freakin cool. 

 
Oh shit not more bob crap
Oh man, I was so buzzed and chilling with RP all afternoon, hurricane receding, then this comes on to destroy it all.  Bill, love ya, and thanks for the PSD!
RP and Bob Dylan normality...
 On_The_Beach wrote:
Gryn wrote:
Meh.. this song is ho-hum. If you want to play a band with a message, try more Rush.

I have to assume this is a (very bad) joke.
 
No way of telling on these boards. 

He's painted his masterpiece. 

Over and over and over. 
Masterpiece.
I'm a selective Dylan fan, and this is one of his best IMHO.

Used to superb effect by Cameron Crowe to Close Jerry Maguire.
Dammit...why
Still love this song after all these years.  But who cares, right?  If you don't like or understand Mr. Dylan, at least honor the fact that there are millions of people out there who like his music and appreciate his incredible contribution to the world.
 TerryS wrote:
 A well known syndrome called the Prometheus effect with a side of Zimmerman.

 
phaedra
 amb599 wrote:
Sometimes I wonder what it would it would be like to be shackled to a desert rock, and slowly die of thirst and exposure while crows slowly pecked out my innards.  Then I hear this song and I think that that experience wouldn't be so bad compared to listening to this song.

  A well known syndrome called the Prometheus effect with a side of Zimmerman.


 pinto wrote:

I am not at all a Bob Dylan fan.  Then why do I really like this album?

 
It's a hell of an album. It was either this or Nashville Skyline that turned me into a fan.
Ahhhhh, the master singing his masterpiece.

Nobel prize....sure. 
great art keeps the open minded Forever Young
Blah blah blah, the voice of a generation. I logged in so I could vote this song 2, and discovered I could PSD. 
 david927 wrote:
Is it just me or is he the Dr. Seuss of rock?  Come in she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm, said the cat in the hat, to the fish in the pot.

 
Did Dr. Seuss ever try to sing? He had to be better. 
 david927 wrote:
Is it just me or is he the Dr. Seuss of rock?  Come in she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm, said the cat in the hat, to the fish in the pot.
 
He wishes he was "the Dr. Seuss of rock".  
So...I think I sweet-talked a person who runs the ticket office for the venue that Bobby D will be playing in October who can hold back a few premo tickets for the public sale which takes place after the well-to-do vultures, Ticker Master people have their way. 

It's not hopeless and forlorn: I can physically show up this Saturday at the ticket window and get orchestra seats!!!    

    
 meauclaire wrote:
Thanks to the inventor of the PSD button.

 
I am not at all a Bob Dylan fan.  Then why do I really like this album?
 coloradojohn wrote:
This is one song that is SURE TO GET ME SINGING ALONG...and my Lord, how can one not admire the immortal songwriting in it?

 
I feel ya, CoJo!  And what bugs me, as one who only started to understand his BODY of work since 2000, is how fine the line is between his highly rated tracks (this one at 8.2) versus say....Visions of Johanna (my personal favorite BD tune from the 20th cent with a measly 6.5 rating) - I mean both feature his great songwriting, lackluster and (usually) rather annoying harmonica playing and yet nearly 2 full rating points separate them. 

Blonde on Blonde is also probably my fav album of BD's with Blood on the Tracks at #2 or #3.  Oh well I suppose...to each their own.......oh...maybe it's the length of the tune?  This one is at 4:55 vs Visions of Johanna is probably 7 something.  OH WELL...LONG LIVE RP!!


This is one song that is SURE TO GET ME SINGING ALONG...and my Lord, how can one not admire the immortal songwriting in it?
{#Jump} never get tired of this song or  the album !  groove on bob u will make me miss u when u go
Thanks to the inventor of the PSD button.


                                    
I prefer the manfred mann's cover. {#Bananajam}
 midreaming wrote:
Bobby, if i could tell you in person I would. I have always and will always love to watch and hear you get your groove on. I love to watch and hear you inspire the light in others. When you said listening to Woodie Guthrie could show a person how to live in this world, it made perfect sense to me. It 's you and Woodie that have brought a calm, compassionate, lyrical sense of humor to this life for me. It's not always exactly what you sing, but sometimes. And it's not always the way that you sing it, but it is many times. When the ship is off course for me and the stars are dim, the sound of your heart in your voice is a shelter in the storm. When seas are calm and ocean waves are dappled by the setting sun you've put me on the shoulders of giants, lifted me up to walk freely among the stars. And on this earth, at peace in the city streets. Personally I think there is no magic cure to find in an autograph. I'd rather ignore labels, sports teams and celebrities all together. I am though unapologetically grateful, as a fan, to have taken breath and watched a rising sun with the spirit of Bob Dylan alive and in the air. For me, you've made the world a better place. The world, Mr Dylan. Forever young Zimmy. Big Love

 
that's a beauty!

stay Forever Young midreaming
What Lyrics! I don't even notice or mind that he isn't even singing! 
 dsd wrote:

Love Dylan.  Love this song.  Love your comment.  Very funny and observant

 
"Campfire music"? A comment worthy of an undeveloped mind. Now go read read your comic books and keep quiet.
 Stingray wrote:

ENDLESSLY TIRED of this campfire music!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!

 
Indeed. All you need is a wiener on a stick and distraction is yours! Don't forget to zip your bag when you retire. Snakes and all...
But Bob, have you ever turn around,

to see faces of jugglers and the clowns,

as we all did tricks for you? 

Also: RIP to Leonard Cohen...who was called the Canadian Bob Dylan

Songs of Love and Hate...what a classic.  
Blood on the Tracks ALL GOOD!{#Sunny}
Is it just me or is he the Dr. Seuss of rock?  Come in she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm, said the cat in the hat, to the fish in the pot.
..... a big FAT 10.  At least!!
 amb599 wrote:
Sometimes I wonder what it would it would be like to be shackled to a desert rock, and slowly die of thirst and exposure while crows slowly pecked out my innards.  Then I hear this song and I think that that experience wouldn't be so bad compared to listening to this song.

 
Well said.  
In two days Dylan will be 75 and I will enter old age at 65.  Borrowing from the Dead: 'what a long, strange trip its been.'
Sometimes I wonder what it would it would be like to be shackled to a desert rock, and slowly die of thirst and exposure while crows slowly pecked out my innards.  Then I hear this song and I think that that experience wouldn't be so bad compared to listening to this song.
Bobby, if i could tell you in person I would. I have always and will always love to watch and hear you get your groove on. I love to watch and hear you inspire the light in others. When you said listening to Woodie Guthrie could show a person how to live in this world, it made perfect sense to me. It 's you and Woodie that have brought a calm, compassionate, lyrical sense of humor to this life for me. It's not always exactly what you sing, but sometimes. And it's not always the way that you sing it, but it is many times. When the ship is off course for me and the stars are dim, the sound of your heart in your voice is a shelter in the storm. When seas are calm and ocean waves are dappled by the setting sun you've put me on the shoulders of giants, lifted me up to walk freely among the stars. And on this earth, at peace in the city streets. Personally I think there is no magic cure to find in an autograph. I'd rather ignore labels, sports teams and celebrities all together. I am though unapologetically grateful, as a fan, to have taken breath and watched a rising sun with the spirit of Bob Dylan alive and in the air. For me, you've made the world a better place. The world, Mr Dylan. Forever young Zimmy. Big Love
 Stingray wrote:

ENDLESSLY TIRED of this campfire music!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!



 
Love Dylan.  Love this song.  Love your comment.  Very funny and observant
 markpeachey wrote:

I think you need that doobie to like this guy

 
No......

I love this album, when I first heard it I said hooray Dylan is back!!!
 konakid  wrote: Agreed!{#Clap}
There are no bad songs on this album.  IMO, the best one he has ever done.

 


There are no bad songs on this album.  IMO, the best one he has ever done.
 coloradojohn wrote:
One of those songs that marks transitions in Life so well; I smoked a doobie and jammed to this in my old Chevy at Flagstaff Summit the night before I left Boulder for Japan the first of what turned out to be three times. This song's meant many things over the years...

 
I think you need that doobie to like this guy
AAHHH! Miles Davis .....now that's better
Thank F#@K for PSD

The live take on Hard Rain is my favorite version of this great song.
Besides Like a Rolling Stone, perhaps my favorite Dylan song. So direct, so unambiguous, so beautifully written, so evocative. Great humanism. He was unequaled in this kind of song craft. 

The one eyed undertaker he blows a feudal horn...
LOVED Bill Murray's sing along to this at the end of St. Vincent!
One of those songs that marks transitions in Life so well; I smoked a doobie and jammed to this in my old Chevy at Flagstaff Summit the night before I left Boulder for Japan the first of what turned out to be three times. This song's meant many things over the years...
Was introduced to Blood on the Tracks in 1975 while working at an open pit coal mine in the Canadian Rocky mountains.

Struck me then and now that this album was and still is one of his best ever albums.   
can't beat a good story...
Never gets old…any chance you could play some of the stuff from the Basement Tapes? Marcus Mumford's "Kansas City", perhaps?
 kh808 wrote:
I stop and listen when this is played also .
 
Me too. Not many songs have that effect but Blood On The Tracks is a truly great album and this is one of its best tracks. Simple, beautiful, impeccable and peerless.
I was 12 years old when I first heard this album... a twist of fate, indeed. 
 
One of my least favorite Dylan songs.

Oh, wait.... They're all my least favorite. 
blonde on blonde is a really offensive album but this is totally different.
Do I understand your question, man?
Is it hopeless and forlorn?
 JJobski wrote:
 jchap5 wrote:
agreed 

Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
{#Bananapiano} ....... is G O D L I K E from a G O D L I K E ground breaking album
                       I think Bob was peaking on this album 
 

 

Agreed......this is a powerful singer/songwriter at his absolute best. Personal Favorite is "Tangled up in Blue"——-but "Shelter" is close. Dylan: Best Songwriter ever.....!

 
I, too, highly regard his work—this a rare 10 from me.  I do wonder if it is aminstrel tradition, musically, or what, but his songs rarely have bridges.


 jchap5 wrote:
agreed 

Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
{#Bananapiano} ....... is G O D L I K E from a G O D L I K E ground breaking album
                       I think Bob was peaking on this album 
 



 





Agreed......this is a powerful singer/songwriter at his absolute best. Personal Favorite is "Tangled up in Blue"-----but "Shelter" is close.

Dylan: Best Songwriter ever.....!
agreed 

Peter_Bradshaw wrote:
{#Bananapiano} ....... is G O D L I K E from a G O D L I K E ground breaking album
                       I think Bob was peaking on this album 
 


In my book this is Dylan's best album!
" hi mom, hi dad, look what followed me home.....can I keep him?"......ok !
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"
Really great Dylan track.  Love basic stripped-down Bob at his lyrical best.
I stop and listen when this is played also .Go and do some research on Bob and how he wrote his music why he was so prolific and then he just stopped ....there is a very candid interview with him explaining why this happen in his life!
Wakes up so many levels of my consciousness every time I hear this beautiful song, really amazing
{#Bananapiano} ....... is G O D L I K E from a G O D L I K E ground breaking album
                       I think Bob was peaking on this album 
Master storyteller extraordinaire!
Classic Dylan.
Love every second, every time

ENDLESSLY TIRED of this campfire music!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORING!


He paints such vivid pictures and so often. 
this man told the truth to the bastards who have destroyed our world, so Fng what if you don't like his voice. HIS WORDS HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD. the MASTERS OF WAR  don't like him either.
 Bat wrote:

I love that line as well and was going to say as much.  Glad someone else beat me to the punch.

 
{#High-five}
This song has been in my head for the last 3-4 weeks, which is weird because I never really listened to the lyrics. Just came upon a moment where it looked like that kind of shelter not only seemed necessary but was also possible. Glad I got to finally listen hard and find out what would have been in store for me. The shelter never outlasts the storm anyway.
NEED ANOTHER 20 BUTTON{#Lol}
Bobby D on a Friday afternoon. Our weekend lays in front of us.

Just a collection of moments to be enjoyed.


And suddenly I turned around and she was standing there,

With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair...     
The rating system needs to under -10 {#Headache}