Bob Dylan

Released: September 11, 2001

Songwriter: Bob Dylan

Producer: Jack Frost (Bob Dylan)

[Verse 1]
Well, today has been a sad ol’ lonesome day
Yeah, today has been a sad ol’ lonesome day
I’m just sitting here thinking
With my mind a million miles away

[Verse 2]
Well, they’re doing the double shuffle, throwing sand on the floor
They’re doing the double shuffle, they’re throwing sand on the floor
When I left my long-time darling
She was standing in the door

[Verse 3]
Well, my pa he died and left me, my brother got killed in the war
Well, my pa he died and left me, my brother got killed in the war
My sister, she ran off and got married
Never was heard of any more

[Verse 4]
Samantha Brown lived in my house for about four or five months
Samantha Brown lived in my house for about four or five months
Don’t know how it looked to other people
I never slept with her even once

[Verse 5]
Well, the road’s washed out—weather not fit for man or beast
Yeah the road’s washed out—weather not fit for man or beast
Funny, how the things you have the hardest time parting with
Are the things you need the least

[Verse 6]
I’m forty miles from the mill—I’m dropping it into overdrive
I’m forty miles from the mill—I’m dropping it into overdrive
Setting my dial on the radio
I wish my mother was still alive

[Verse 7]
I see your lover-man coming—coming across the barren field
I see your lover-man coming—coming across the barren field
He’s not a gentleman at all—he’s rotten to the core
He’s a coward and he steals

[Verse 8]
Well my captain he’s decorated—he’s well schooled and he’s skilled
My captain, he’s decorated—he’s well schooled and he’s skilled
He’s not sentimental—don’t bother him at all
How many of his pals have been killed

[Verse 9]
Last night the wind was whispering, I was trying to make out what it was
Last night the wind was whispering something—I was trying to make out what it was
I tell myself something’s coming
But it never does

[Verse 10]
I’m gonna spare the defeated—I’m gonna speak to the crowd
I’m gonna spare the defeated, boys, I’m going to speak to the crowd
I am going to teach peace to the conquered
I’m gonna tame the proud

[Verse 11]
Well the leaves are rustling in the wood—things are falling off of the shelf
Leaves are rustling in the wood—things are falling off the shelf
You gonna need my help, sweetheart
You can’t make love all by yourself

Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman May 24, 1941), is an American singer-songwriter, writer, and artist who has influenced popular music and culture for more than five decades. Dylan has especially played a critical role in the American folk music revival.

Dylan’s songs are built from myriad political, social, philosophical and literary influences. Many of his anti-war and civil-rights-influenced songs set social unrest, as journalists widely named him the “spokesman for his generation” in the 1960s.

The musician has a signature change in voice and style in many different albums of his throughout the decades. He has notably explored and experimented with the genres of folk, rap, blues, and rock.

more tracks from the album

The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs: Rare and Unreleased 1989–2006

From the albums

Love and Theft (2001)
The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs: Rare and Unreleased 1989–2006 (2008)

Bob Dylan popular songs

Lonesome Day BluesBob Dylan

Bob Dylan

The Bootleg Series Vol. 8: Tell Tale Signs: Rare and Unreleased 1989–2006