bob dylan
The song closes the album "Bringing It All Back Home" (1965). It also closes the era of Dylan as an acoustic folk singer, as he hereby introduced electric powered instruments side by side with acoustic, like this song. In fact, it is discussed if the background of the song is a farewell to *this* side of himself, rather than to any particular person. Anyway, it's among the most covered Dylan songs. An assortment: Joan Baez, Bryan Ferry, The Seldom Scene, Them (Van Morrison), The Byrds, The Animals, The Chocolate Watchband, Graham Bonnet, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell, Marianne Faithfull, Falco, The 13th Floor Elevators, the Grateful Dead, Link Wray, Hugh Masekela, Echo and the Bunnymen and Bad Religion. And ANY busker ANYWHERE used to play it. Me, too. The song is trend-setting; also retrospective.
It is discussed, if this was closing his relation with Paul Clayton : a long time friend from the Greenwich Village; starting with "It Ain't Me Babe". Clayton was gay; Dylan not. Rumours are smoke from an almost put-out fire. Never listen to rumours; they are the burned out coal. Music is the fire. And this one will burn forever, however it was.
you must leave now : take what you need you think will last
but whatever you wish to keep you'd better grab it fast
yonder stands your orphan with his gun
crying like a fire in the sun
look out : the saints are coming through
and it's all over now baby blue
the highway is for gamblers : better use your sins
take what you have gathered from coinsidence
the empty handed painter from your streets
is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
the sky too is folding under you
and it's all over now baby blue
all your seasick sailors they are rowing home
all your empty armies are all going home
the lover who just walked out your door
has taken all his blankets from the floor
the carpet too is moving under you
and it's all over now baby blue
leave your stepping stones behind : something calls for you
forget the dead you left : they will not follow you
the vagabond who's rapping at your door
is standing in the clothes that you once wore
strike another match : go start anew
and it's all over now baby blue
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
Am C G you must leave now take what you need you think will last Am C G but whatever you wish to keep you better grab it fast Am C G yonder stands your orphan with his gun Am C G crying like a fire in the sun Cmaj7 C D look out the saints are coming through Am C G and it's all over now baby blue
