How Bob Dylan's songs give me shelter from the storm

About the song

In the vast and ever-evolving landscape of American music, few figures stand as tall and influential as Bob Dylan. A Nobel Prize laureate and a true bard of our times, Dylan’s music has chronicled the social and political upheavals of the 20th century, while simultaneously delving into the depths of human emotion with unparalleled honesty and insight. Among his vast and acclaimed discography, few songs have resonated as deeply and enduringly as “Shelter From The Storm”.

Released in 1975 as part of Dylan’s introspective masterpiece Blood on the Tracks, “Shelter From The Storm” stands as a testament to the songwriter’s unparalleled ability to weave intricate narratives and paint vivid emotional landscapes with his words. The song’s opening lines, “Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood,” immediately transport the listener to a world of hardship and struggle, setting the stage for a tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection.

As the song unfolds, Dylan introduces us to a weary traveler, battered by the storms of life, who seeks refuge in the arms of a compassionate woman. The lyrics, “Come in, she said, I’ll give you shelter from the storm,” offer a beacon of hope amidst the darkness, a promise of solace and protection. Yet, beneath the surface of this tender exchange lies a deeper layer of melancholy and regret.

The narrator, haunted by the ghosts of his past, acknowledges the mistakes he has made and the distance that has grown between him and his lover. The lines, “Now there’s a wall between us, something that’s been lost,” capture the profound sadness of a love that has been tarnished by time and circumstance.

Despite the weight of these regrets, “Shelter From The Storm” ultimately offers a message of hope and redemption. The narrator finds solace in the memory of his lover’s kindness and compassion, and in the belief that love, even in its imperfect form, can provide a refuge from the storms of life.

The song’s enduring power lies in its ability to capture the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of the human spirit. Dylan’s masterful storytelling and evocative imagery have made “Shelter From The Storm” a timeless classic, a song that continues to resonate with listeners across generations and cultures.

“Shelter From The Storm” is more than just a song; it is a journey into the depths of the human heart, a testament to the power of love and the enduring hope for redemption. It is a song that deserves to be cherished and celebrated for generations to come.

Video

Lyrics

‘Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and bloodWhen blackness was a virtue the road was full of mudI came in from the wilderness, a creature void of formCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
And if I pass this way again, you can rest assuredI’ll always do my best for her, on that I give my wordIn a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warmCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involvedEverything up to that point had been left unresolvedTry imagining a place where it’s always safe and warmCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hailPoisoned in the bushes an’ blown out on the trailHunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the cornCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
Suddenly I turned around and she was standin’ thereWith silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hairShe walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thornsCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
Now there’s a wall between us, somethin’ there’s been lostI took too much for granted, I got my signals crossedJust to think that it all began on an uneventful mornCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mountBut nothing really matters much, it’s doom alone that countsAnd the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile hornCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
I’ve heard newborn babies wailin’ like a mournin’ doveAnd old men with broken teeth stranded without loveDo I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlornCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothesI bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal doseI offered up my innocence I got repaid with scornCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm
Well, I’m livin’ in a foreign country but I’m bound to cross the lineBeauty walks a razor’s edge, someday I’ll make it mineIf I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were bornCome in, she saidI’ll give ya shelter from the storm