Girl from the north country
Bob Dylan/To Cry/ll Night) Lyrics
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Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
See for me if her hair's hanging down
It curls and falls all down her breast
See for me that her hair's hanging down
If you go when the snowflakes falls
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm
To keep her from the howlin' winds
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Please say "hello" to the one who lives there
Oh she was once a true love of mine
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
A true love of mine
A true love of mine
True love of mine
A true love of mine
A true love of mine
She was once a true love of mine
Bob Dylan's 1963 song "Girl From the North Country" is a poignant love letter to a former lover residing in the frigid northern territories. The ballad's lyrics conjure up images of windswept landscapes, snowy winters, and a kind of romance rooted in the simplicity of nature. Dylan's voice is tender and full of longing as he implores the listener to "remember me to one who lives there," and "please say hello to the one who once was a true love of mine," capturing the bittersweet nostalgia of a love that has been lost to time.
The song's measured pace and sparse instrumentation serve to amplify the emotion of the lyrics, with Dylan's acoustic guitar and harmonica providing the perfect accompaniment to his timeless voice. The opening lines set the scene for the rest of the song, as the singer addresses the listener directly, inviting them to join him on a journey through the harsh and lonely landscape of the north. As the song progresses, Dylan's attention shifts from the listener to the object of his affection, describing her in intimate detail and hinting at the pain he still feels at their separation.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
If you find yourself wandering through the harsh wilderness and rugged terrain of the north country, where the icy winds constantly beat against the borderline...
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
...where the winds are so powerful that they can nearly push you over the border between life and death...
Remember me to one who lives there
...please send my regards to the person who calls this unforgiving landscape home...
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
...a person I once loved and cared for deeply before our paths diverged and we went our separate ways...
See for me if her hair's hanging down
If you happen to come across her, please take note of whether her hair still cascades down her shoulders and chest...
It curls and falls all down her breast
...because it used to curl and fall beautifully in that same way when we were together and I want to remember it well...
See for me that her hair's hanging down
Please make sure to check again that her hair is still hanging down just as I remember...
That's the way I remember her best
...because her flowing hair was always one of my fondest memories of her...
If you go when the snowflakes falls
If you happen to stumble upon her during the season of snow and ice...
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
...when the rivers have come to a standstill and the warmth of summer has long since departed...
Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm
Please make sure that she is well-equipped for the harsh climate and that she has a warm coat on to shield herself from the howling winds...
To keep her from the howlin' winds
...which can be incredibly vicious and dangerous in the north country...
Please say "hello" to the one who lives there
If you see her again, please say hello to her for me...
A true love of mine
...someone I held dear to my heart at one point in time...
A true love of mine
...a person who left a lasting impression on me...
True love of mine
...someone who I truly loved with all my heart...
A true love of mine
...someone who changed my life forever...
A true love of mine
...someone who I will always cherish the memories of...
She was once a true love of mine
...and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind