Expecting Rain

its "gave it to Richard Lee".....

Who's this Judge Simpson he's on about at least twice???

My take:
(thanks for your help - I excluded lyrics from other messages on this board)

LIFE IS HARD

The evening winds are still I've lost the way and will
Can’t tell you where they went I just know what they meant
I’m always on my guard admitting life is hard
Without you near me

The friend you used to be, so near and dear to me
You slipped so far away, where did we go astray
I passed the old school yard, admitting life is hard
Without you near me

Ever since the day, the day you went away
I felt that emptiness so wide
I don’t know what's wrong or right
I just know I need strength to fight, strength to fight that world

outside

Since we've been out of touch I haven't felt that much
From day to barren day my heart stays locked away
I walk the boulevard, admitting life is hard
Without you near me

The Sun is sinking low I guess it's time to go
I feel a chilly breeze In place of memories
My dreams are locked and barred admitting life is hard
Without you near me
hummmm
Without you near me


MY WIFE’S HOME TOWN

Well I didn’t come here to deal with a doggone thing
I just came here to hear the drop of cymbaline
There ain’t no way you can put me down
I just wanna say that hell’s my wife’s home town

Well there’s reasons for that, and reasons for this
I can’t think of any just now, but I know they exist
I’m sittin in the sun ‘till my skin turns brown
I just wanna say that hell’s my wife’s home town home town home town

She can make you steal, make you rob
Give you the hives, make you lose your job
Make things bad she can make things worse
She got stuff more potent than a gypsy curse

One of these days I’ll end up on the run
I'm pretty sure she'll make me kill someone
I’m going inside, roll the shutters down
I just wanna say that hell’s my wife’s home town

Well there’s plenty to remember, plenty to forget
I still can’t remember the day we met
I lost my reasons a long ago
My love for her is all I know

State gone broke, the county's dry
Don't be lookin' at me with that evil eye
Keep on walking, don’t be hanging around
I’m tellin you again that hell’s my wife’s home town home town home town


IF YOU EVER GO TO HOUSTON

If you ever go to Houston better walk right
Keep your hands in your pockets and your gun-belts tied
If you’re asking for drama, if you’re looking for a fight
If you ever go to Houston, boy you better walk right

If you're ever down there out back to your loving ma
You better watch out for the man with the shining star
Better know where you're going Or stay where you are
If you’re ever down there out back to your loving ma
Well I know these streets I’ve been here before
I nearly got killed here during the Mexican War
Something always keeps me coming back for more
I know these streets I’ve been here before

If you ever go to Dallas, say hello to Mary-Ann
Say I’m still looking along the trigger, hanging on the best I can
If you see her sister Lucy, say I’m sorry I’m not there
Tell her other sister Nancy to pray the sinner's prayer

I gotta rest this fever bury it in my brain
Better keep right forward, can’t spoil the game
The same way I’ll leave here will be the way that I came
Gotta rest this fever bury it in my brain

Mr policeman, can you help me find my gal
Last time I saw her was at the Magnolia Motel
If you help me find her, you can be my pal
Mr policeman, can you help me find my gal

If you ever go to Austin, Fort Worth or San Anton'
Find the barrooms I got lost in and send my memories home
Put my tears in a bottle screw the top on tight
If you ever go to Houston, buddy you’d better walk right


FORGETFUL HEART

Forgetful heart
Lost your power of recall
Every little detail
You don’t remember at all
The times we knew
Who would remember better than you

Forgetful heart
we laughed and had a good time, you and I
It’s been so long
now you’re content to let the days go by
When you were there
you were the answer to my prayer

Forgetful heart
we loved with all the love that life can give
What can I say
Without you it’s so hard to live
Can’t take much more
Why can’t we love like we did before

Forgetful heart
like a walking shadow in my brain
All night long
I lay awake and listen to the sound of pain
The door has closed forevermore
If indeed there ever was a door


JOLENE

Why It's coming down high street walking into Third
If it ain't a dead man's rise I die she's the one to me to me
Baby I am the king and you're the queen

Well it’s a long old highway that don’t ever end
I got a Saturday Night Special, I’m back again
I’ll sleep by your door, lay my life on the line
You probably don’t know but I’m gonna make you mine
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the King and you are the Queen

I keep my hands in my pocket, I’m movin’ along
People think they know, but they’re all wrong
You're something nice, I’m gonna bet my dice
I can’t say I ever paid the price
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the King and you is the Queen

Well I found out the hard way, I’ve had my fill
came by somebody with his luck too afield
Those big brown eyes, they set out for spark
If you hold me in your arms, things don’t look so dark
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the King and you're the Queen


SHAKE SHAKE MAMA

I got the blues for you baby when I look up at the sun
I got the blues for you baby when I look up at the sun
Come back here, we can have some real fun

Well it’s early in the evening and everything is still
Well it’s early in the evening and everything is still
One more time I’m walking up around the hill

Shake shake Mama like a ship going out to sea
Shake shake Mama like a ship going out to sea
You took all my money and you gave it to Richard Lee

Down by the river judge Simpson’s walking around
Down by the river judge Simpson’s walking around
Nothing shocks me more than that old clown

Some of you women you really know your stuff
Some of you women you really know your stuff
But your clothes are all torn and your language is a little too rough

Shake shake Mama shake until the break of day
Shake shake Mama shake until the break of day
I’m right here baby I’m not that far away

I'm motherless fatherless almost friendless too
I'm motherless fatherless almost friendless too
It's Friday morning on Franklin Avenue

Shake shake mama, raise your voice and bay
Shake shake mama, raise your voice and bay
If you're goin' on home better go the shortest way


IT’S ALL GOOD

Talk about me babe, if you must
Throw on the dust, pile on the dust
I’d do the same thing if I could
You know what they say
They say it’s all good
All good, it’s all good

Big politicians telling lies
Restaurant kitchens, all full of flies
Don't make a bit of difference
Don‘t see why it should
But it’s all right
cos’ it’s all good, it’s all good, it’s all good

Wives are leaving their husbands, they’re beginning to roam
They leave the party, and they never get home
I wouldn’t change it, even if I could
You know what they say man
It’s all good, it’s all good, all good

Brick by brick they tear you down
A teacup of water is enough to drown
You oughta know if they could they would
Whatever going down
It’s all good
All good, it’s all good

People in the country, people on the land
Some of ‘em so sick, they can hardly stand
Everybody would move away, if they could
It’s hard to believe, but it’s all good
Yeaaaa!

The Widows cry, the orphans bleed
Everywhere you look there’s more misery
Come away with me babe, I wish you would
You know what I'm saying
It’s all good, all good,
I said it’s all good, all good

There's a cold blooded killer stalking the town
Cop cars blinkin', something bad going down
Buildings are crumbling in the neighborhood
but it's nothing to worry about, cause it's all good
It’s all good, I say it's all good whoo!

I'm gonna pluck off your beard and blow it in your face
This time tomorrow I’ll be roaming in your place
I wouldn’t change a thing, even if I could
You know what they say
They say it’s all good, it’s all good
O yeah

One slight correction to "Shake Shake Mama" from what is posted and what I originally posted.

It should be "It's Friday morning, going to Franklin Avenue."

Also...could it be "One more time I’m walkin' up on Heartbreak Hill" ???


It's odd that he would be going out on Friday morning. I googled some stuff and this might explain it:

SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA 2007-2008—Friday morning Coffee Concerts, Series A finds members of this group enjoying the Fanfare before the concert and lunch following the concert at a lovely restaurant near Rice Park in downtown Saint Paul.

It's Minnesota I know, but would Bob still be in touch with what's going on there?

Erm, not to undercut your efforts, but you've completely mangled some of those lyrics, especially If You Ever Go to Houston.

IF YOU EVER GO TO HOUSTON

If you ever go to Houston, better walk right
Keep your hands in your pockets and your gun belt tight
You'll be asking for trouble if you’re looking for a fight
If you ever go to Houston, boy you better walk right

If you're ever down there, on back near Lamar
You better watch out for the man with the shining star
Better know where you're going, or stay where you are
If you’re ever down there, on back near Lamar
Well I know these streets, I’ve been here before
I nearly got killed here during the Mexican War
Something always keeps me coming back for more
I know these streets, I’ve been here before

If you ever go to Dallas, say hello to Mary Ann
Say I’m still looking along the trigger, hanging on the best I can
If you see her sister Lucy, say I’m sorry I’m not there
Tell her other sister Nancy to pray the sinner's prayer

I gotta restless fever burnin' in my brain
Gotta keep right forward, can’t spoil the game
The same way I’ll leave here will be the way that I came
Gotta restless fever burnin' in my brain

Mister policeman, can you help me find my gal?
Last time I saw her was at the Magnolia Motel
If you help me find her, you can be my pal
Mister policeman, can you help me find my gal?

If you ever go to Austin, Fort Worth or San Antone
Find the barrooms I got lost in and send my memories home
Put my tears in a bottle screw the top on tight
If you ever go to Houston, buddy you’d better walk right

JOLENE

Well, you're comin' down High Street, walking in the sun
You make a dead man rise and holler, "She's the one"
Jolene
Baby, I am the king and you're the queen

Well it’s a long old highway that don’t ever end
I got a Saturday night special, I’m back again
I’ll sleep by your door, lay my life on the line
You probably don’t know but I’m gonna make you mine
Jolene, Jolene
Baby, I am the King and you is the Queen

I keep my hands in my pocket, I’m movin’ along
People think they know, but they’re all wrong
You're something nice, I’m gonna grab my dice
I can’t say I ever paid the price
Jolene, Jolene
Baby, I am the King and you is the Queen

Well I found out the hard way, I’ve had my fill
Can't fight somebody with his back to a hill
Those big brown eyes, they set off a spark
If you hold me in your arms, things don’t look so dark
Jolene, Jolene
Baby, I am the King and you're the Queen

Is that a word? I'm hearing "I just came here to hear the drum and cymbal ring," which kinda makes sense given the context, but this is admittedly one of the few lines on the record that really is tough to decipher.

I agree with Dwolf's This Dream of You transcription, but I'm also fuzzy on the "chairless/cheerless" lyric. "Cheerless" seems to fit best, but Bobby could be referencing something well off the beaten path that most of us are too thick to twig on!

What about "out back near La Marque"? La Marque is near Houston, and for what it's worth, "The community was originally known as Highlands."

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/LL/hel1.html

Nice work! Given the state of his voice on this record ("charmingly abysmal," as I told a friend the other day) it's definitely possible that he swallows the "-que" sound. I don't know Texas all that well, so "Lamar" is what I heard when the song came on and it's stuck with me across three or four listens. It's definitely one or t'other.

Thanks again for your help, I agree with almost everything, except I hear a 'b' in Jolene, not 'grab', so here it is again:
JOLENE

Well you're coming down High Street walking in the sun
You make a dead man rise and holler she's the one
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the king and you're the queen

Well it’s a long old highway that don’t ever end
I got a Saturday Night Special, I’m back again
I’ll sleep by your door, lay my life on the line
You probably don’t know but I’m gonna make you mine
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the king and you are the queen

I keep my hands in my pocket, I’m movin’ along
People think they know, but they’re all wrong
You're something nice, I’m gonna bet my dice
I can’t say I ever paid the price
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the king and you is the queen

Well I fought out the hard way, I’ve had my fill
You can't fight somebody with his back to a hill
Those big brown eyes, they set off a spark
If you hold me in your arms, things don’t look so dark
Jolene, Jolene
Baby I am the king and you're the queen

Perhaps this thread should be re-posted with the lastest versions of the lyrics so far. What dya think?

I think it is "I just came here to hear the drummer's cymbal ring"

Okay, I knew "Throw on the dust, pile on the dust" from "It's All Good" sounded like dull shit to the ear and just couldn't be correct. It isn't:

"Throw on the dirt, pile on the dust."

thats what i heard it as too although listening this morning it jumped out as "came here to hear a drop of simple rain"

had another listen and pretty certains its '....drummer's cymbal ring'.

"From a cheerless room
and a curtained gloom... "

This is an absolute Dylan classic, love it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar,_Texas

It's Lamar.

La Marque was Highlands until the 1890s, when then song's narrator would have already passed away (or been an old man, making hellos to luscious Mary Ann and her sisters useless if not impossible gestures), having fought in the Mexican War (1846 - 1848). All the other references are contemporaneous with the war (Houston, Austin, Fort Worth, San Antone).

'cymbaline' isn't a word, but Cymbeline was a mythical British king and a slightly bizarre late Shakespeare play about said king. Though I agree with the above poster - there's definitely a 'g' there so 'cymbal ring' seems the only feasible suggestion.

Re. This Dream of You, I thought the slightly Delphic second verse sounded faintly Biblical. It can be traced to the Pauline proclamation in Corinthians about being renewed 'in Christ':

This Dream of You

There's a moment when all old things become new again
But that moment might have come and gone
All I have and all I know is this dream of you which keeps me living on

cf. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthian 5:17 King James Version)

An interesting disavowal of the idea of Christian renewal - being renewed or 'born again' in Christ. Assuming it's an allusion rather than merely a borrowing (i.e. calling into play the prior text, rather than just stealing phrases from it, as has been predominantly the case on his last four studio albums), it puts paid to the preposterously selective readings of Dylan's recent love songs as coded songs addressed to Christ, along the lines of: if you replace the word 'baby' with 'Jesus,' then ta dah!, Make You Feel My Love' goes from risible schmaltz to profound theological meditation. Not that such flimsy readings stand up on their own in any case.

yeah, and its almost as though it should be "from a curtained room and a cheerless gloom" and he's switched it

Would be nice to have a pdf file with all lyrics.

A few more differences:

My Wife's Hometown:

"I still can remember the day we met";

Jolene:

"I can't say I haven't paid the price"; and

It's All Good:

"But there's nothing to worry about..."

Maybe he means the Mexican war of 1964-66?

And another:

"It's All Good":

"The widows cry, the orphans plea"

I'm pretty sure it's:

Well I didn’t come here, dear, with a doggone thing
I just came here to hear the drummer's cymbal ring


Rather than "didn't come here to deal".

I've compiled all the nice work on this thread and what I heard myself etc. and put it all in a Word- and a pdf file.

doc: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?wzrjnjiilzo

pdf: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?mzzjiwkuimt