4th Time Around
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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When she said, "Don't waste your words, they're just lies"
I cried she was deaf
And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes
And saying "What else you got left?"

It was then that I got up to leave
But she said, "Don't forget
Everybody must give something back
For something they get"

I stood there and hummed, I tapped on her drum
I asked her how come
And she buttoned her boot, and straightened her suit
And she said, "Don't be cute"

So I forced my hands in my pockets
And felt with my thumbs
And gallantly handed her my very last piece of gum

She threw me outside, I stood in the dirt
Where everyone walked
And, when finding out I'd forgotten my shirt
I went back and knocked

I waited in the hallway, she went to get it
And I tried to make sense
Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair
That leaned up against

Her Jamaican rum, and when she did come
I asked her for some
She said, "No, dear", I said, "Your words are not clear
You'd better spit out your gum"

She screamed till her face got so red
Then she fell on the floor
And, I covered her up and then went and looked through her drawer

And when I was through, I filled up my shoe
And brought it to you
And you, you took me in, you loved me then
You never wasted time




And I, I never took much, I never asked for your crutch
Now don't ask for mine

Overall Meaning

Fourth Time Around was originally released on Bob Dylan’s 1966 album, “Blonde on Blonde.” This album is known for starting the trend of double-album concept albums. The track starts off with the woman not listening to the singer and telling him that his words are just lies. The singer cries about how his words are falling on deaf ears, but he also mentions that she worked on his face until breaking his eyes. This could suggest that she either beat him or gave him some intense physical experience. She then says that everyone must give something back for something they get, suggesting that he must pay for her time or services.


He tries to leave, but she stops him and tells him not to forget the favor he owes her. He stands there and hums while tapping her drum, then asks how come she acts this way towards him. She rejects his advances and forces him to hand over his last piece of gum before throwing him out. He stands outside and waits for her to come back with his forgotten shirt. While waiting, he sees a picture of the person in the wheelchair leaning against some rum. Once she returns, he asks for some of her rum, but she denies his request, and an argument ensues. The woman screams at him until she falls onto the floor, and he covers her up with a rug before robbing her apartment.


Bob Dylan acknowledges that this song was inspired by the Beatles song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown).” In the Beatles song, John Lennon speaks about cheating on his girlfriend when he tries to sleep with her but is rejected, so he goes to sleep alone in the bath. Bob Dylan then took the idea of cheating on a lover to write Fourth Time Around. Another interesting fact about this song is that Dylan released three other versions of it from different records. It seems that he was never satisfied with one final version of this song. Some of the alternate versions had different lyrics, but the melody remained the same. Dylan had to rewrite one of the verses because it was so raunchy that it got him booed off stage. The chords to the song are not certain because there are so many versions, but the chords on the original version of “Blonde on Blonde” are most used.


Chords (according to Original version on "Blonde on Blonde")


Verse:
G Am G Am G Am G Am


Chorus:
Bm C Bm C D


Bridge:
Am Em Am Em Am Em Bm Am/C# D


Outro:
Bm C Bm C D


Line by Line Meaning

When she said, "Don't waste your words, they're just lies"
I cried because she did not perceive the value in my words.


And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes
She put in effort to change my perspective until it became too much for me to handle.


And saying "What else you got left?"
She challenged me to operate from a place of authenticity.


It was then that I got up to leave
I decided that it was time to go.


But she said, "Don't forget
She reminded me about an important responsibility we all share.


Everybody must give something back
We are all in debt to the world and must contribute.


For something they get"
For every benefit gained, we must repay in kind.


I stood there and hummed, I tapped on her drum
I was nervous and uncertain and tried to distract myself.


I asked her how come
I asked for the reasoning behind her behavior.


And she buttoned her boot, and straightened her suit
She prepared herself for potential confrontation.


And she said, "Don't be cute"
She cautioned me against being clever.


So I forced my hands in my pockets
I attempted to compose myself.


And felt with my thumbs
I searched my pockets for something to offer.


And gallantly handed her my very last piece of gum
I gave her what I had to give, even though it was not much.


She threw me outside, I stood in the dirt
She rejected me and left me to fend for myself.


Where everyone walked
I was vulnerable and exposed to the public.


And, when finding out I'd forgotten my shirt
I realized I was not properly prepared.


I went back and knocked
I returned to the woman for assistance.


I waited in the hallway, she went to get it
I patiently waited while she went to retrieve my forgotten item.


And I tried to make sense
I attempted to understand a confusing situation.


Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair
I contemplated an image of a person with a physical disability.


That leaned up against
That was propped up on.


Her Jamaican rum, and when she did come
When she returned with my shirt and her drink.


I asked her for some
I requested some of her rum.


She said, "No, dear", I said, "Your words are not clear
We miscommunicated and I questioned her response.


You'd better spit out your gum"
You should be more clear in your communication.


She screamed till her face got so red
She became very angry and emotional.


Then she fell on the floor
She collapsed.


And, I covered her up and then went and looked through her drawer
I tried to fix the situation and then acted inappropriately.


And when I was through, I filled up my shoe
I took what I wanted and concealed it in my shoe.


And brought it to you
I brought it to you.


And you, you took me in, you loved me then
You accepted and supported me despite my mistakes.


You never wasted time
You did not waste your resources on me.


And I, I never took much, I never asked for your crutch
I did not ask for too much or take advantage of your kindness.


Now don't ask for mine
Do not expect more from me than I am capable of giving.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@adriancabraldelira2262

Quando ela disse: "NĂŁo desperdice suas palavras, sĂŁo apenas mentiras", chorei que ela era surda
When she said, "Don't waste your words, they're just lies, " I cried she was deaf

E ela trabalhou no meu rosto atĂ© quebrar meus olhos e disse: "O que mais vocĂȘ sobrou?"
And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes, and said, "What else you got left?"

Foi então que me levantei para sair, mas ela disse: "Não se esqueça
It was then that I got up to leave, but she said, "Don't forget

Todos devem dar algo em troca por algo que recebem "
Everybody must give something back for something they get"
Eu fiquei lĂĄ e cantarolei, bati no tambor dela, perguntei como Ă© que
I stood there and hummed, I tapped on her drum, I asked her how come

E ela abotoou a bota, ajeitou o terno e disse: "NĂŁo fique fofo"
And she buttoned her boot, and straightened her suit, and she said, "Don't get cute"

EntĂŁo, forcei minhas mĂŁos nos bolsos e senti com meus polegares
So I forced my hands in my pockets and felt with my thumbs

E galantemente entreguei a ela meu Ășltimo chiclete
And gallantly handed her my very last piece of gum
Ela me jogou para fora, eu fiquei na terra por onde todos andavam
She threw me outside, I stood in the dirt where everyone walked

E depois de descobrir que tinha esquecido minha camisa, voltei e bati
And after finding out I'd forgotten my shirt, I went back and knocked

Eu esperei no corredor, ela foi atender e tentei fazer sentido
I waited in the hallway, she went to get it, and I tried to make sense

Daquela foto sua em sua cadeira de rodas encostada
Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair that leaned up against
Seu rum da Jamaica, e quando ela veio, eu pedi a ela um pouco
Her Jamaica rum, and when she did come, I asked her for some

Ela disse: "NĂŁo, querido", eu disse: "Suas palavras nĂŁo sĂŁo claras, Ă© melhor cuspir seu chiclete"
She said, "No, dear, " I said, "Your words aren't clear, you'd better spit out your gum"

Ela gritou até que seu rosto ficou tão vermelho, então ela caiu no chão
She screamed 'til her face got so red, then she fell on the floor

E eu cobri e entĂŁo pensei em olhar sua gaveta
And I covered up and then thought I'd go look through her drawer
E quando eu terminei, enchi meu sapato e trouxe para vocĂȘ
And when I was through, I filled up my shoe and brought it to you

E vocĂȘ, vocĂȘ me acolheu, vocĂȘ me amou entĂŁo, vocĂȘ nunca perdeu tempo
And you, you took me in, you loved me then, you never wasted time

E eu, nunca tomei muito, nunca pedi sua muleta
And I, I never took much, I never asked for your crutch

Agora não peça o meu
Now don't ask for mine



@vincenzostr4488

When she said, "Don't waste your words, they're just lies, " I cried she was deaf
And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes, and said, "What else you got left?"
It was then that I got up to leave, but she said, "Don't forget
Everybody must give something back for something they get"

I stood there and hummed, I tapped on her drum, I asked her how come
And she buttoned her boot, and straightened her suit, and she said, "Don't get cute"
So I forced my hands in my pockets and felt with my thumbs
And gallantly handed her my very last piece of gum

She threw me outside, I stood in the dirt where everyone walked
And after finding out I'd forgotten my shirt, I went back and knocked
I waited in the hallway, she went to get it, and I tried to make sense
Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair that leaned up against

Her Jamaica rum, and when she did come, I asked her for some
She said, "No, dear, " I said, "Your words aren't clear, you'd better spit out your gum"
She screamed 'til her face got so red, then she fell on the floor
And I covered up and then thought I'd go look through her drawer

And when I was through, I filled up my shoe and brought it to you
And you, you took me in, you loved me then, you never wasted time
And I, I never took much, I never asked for your crutch
Now don't ask for mine



@iamd.j.7590

Lyrics

"I once had a girl 
Or should I say she once had me 
She showed me her room 
Isn't it good Norwegian wood?

She asked me to stay 
And she told me to sit anywhere 
So I looked around 
And I noticed there wasn't a chair

I sat on a rug biding my time 
Drinking her wine 
We talked until two and then she said 
"It's time for bed"

She told me she worked 
In the morning and started to laugh 
I told her I didn't 
And crawled off to sleep in the bath

And when I awoke I was alone 
This bird had flown 
So I lit a fire 
Isn't it good Norwegian wood?"



@chestnut909

When she said
"Don't waste your words, they're just lies"
I cried she was deaf
And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes
Then said, "What else you got left"
It was then that I got up to leave
But she said, "Don't forget
Everybody must give something back
For something they get".

I stood there and hummel
I tapped on her drum and asked her how come
And she buttoned her boot
And straightened her suit
Then she said, "Don't get cute"
So I forced my hands in my pockets
And felt with my thumbs
And gallantly handed her
My very last piece of gum.

She threw me outside
I stood in the dirt where ev'ryone walked
And after finding I'd
Forgotten my shirt
I went back and knocked
I waited in the hallway, she went to get it
And I tried to make sense
Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair
That leaned up against ...

Her Jamaican rum
And when she did come, I asked her for some
She said, "No dear"
I said, "Your words aren't clear
You'd better spit out your gum"
She screamed till her face got so red
Then she fell on the floor
And I covered her up and then
Thought I'd go look through her drawer.
And when I was through
I filled up my shoe
And brought it to you
And you, you took me in
You loved me then
You didn't waste time
And I, I never took much
I never asked for your crutch
Now dont ask for mine.



@TheXynos7

When she said
Lorsqu'elle a dit
Don't waste your words, they're just lies
Ne gaspille pas tes paroles, ce ne sont que des mensonges
I cried she was deaf
J'ai hurlé qu'elle était sourde
And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes
Et elle s'est acharnée sur mon visage jusqu'à me briser les yeux
Then said, What else you got left ?
Puis dit "Que te reste t-il ? "
It was then that I got up to leave
C'est alors que je me suis levé pour partir
But she said, Don't forget
Mais elle ajouta " n'oublie pas,
Everybody must give something back
Tout le monde doit rendre quelque chose
For something they get
En échange de ce qu'il a reçu. "

I stood there and hummed
Je suis resté là à fredonner
I tapped on her drum and asked her how come
Tapotant son tambour et lui demandant comment sa vient.
And she buttoned her boot
Puis elle boutonna sa botte,
And straightened her suit
Ajusta son tailleur,
Then she said, Don't get cute
Et dit " Fais pas ton malin ".
So I forced my hands in my pockets
Alors j'ai plongé mes mains dans mes poches
And felt with my thumbs
Et cherché avec mes pouces,
And gallantly handed her
Et lui ai galamment tendu
My very last piece of gum
Mon tout dernier chewing-gum.

She threw me outside
Elle me jeta dehors,
I stood in the dirt where ev'ryone walked
Gisant dans la boue oĂč tout le monde passait.
And after finding I'd
Et aprĂšs m'ĂȘtre aperçu
Forgotten my shirt
Que j'avais oublié ma chemise,
I went back and knocked
J'y retourna et frappa.
I waited in the hallway, she went to get it
J'ai attendu dans le couloir, elle est venue la chercher,
And I tried to make sense
Et j'ai essayé de donner un sens
Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair
A cette photo de toi dans ta chaise roulante
That leaned up against
Qui s'appuyait sur... . .

Her Jamaican rum
Son rhum jamaĂŻcain
And when she did come, I asked her for some
Puis quand elle revint, je lui en demandait un peu.
She said, No, dear
Elle répondit " Non, chéri "
I said, Your words aren't clear
Je dis, " Tu ne parles pas clairement
You'd better spit out your gum
Tu ferais mieux de cracher ton chewing-gum ".
She screamed till her face got so red
Elle cria jusqu'Ă  devenir toute rouge
Then she fell on the floor
Puis s'Ă©croula sur le plancher,
And I covered her up and then
Je la couvris puis
Thought I'd go look through her drawer
Je pensai Ă  aller voir son tiroir.

And, when I was through
Alors, quand j'eus fini
I filled up my shoe
J'ai rempli ma chaussure
And brought it to you
Et je te l'ai amenée.
And you, you took me in
Et toi, tu m'as fait entrer
You loved me then
Tu m'as aimé de suite
You didn't waste time
Tu n'as pas perdu de temps.
And I, I never took much
Et moi, je n'ai jamais demandé grand chose,
I never asked for your crutch
Je n'ai jamais demandé ton soutien.
Now don't ask for mine
Maintenant ne demande pas le mien.



All comments from YouTube:

@jamesblanshard9468

This was my baby's favourite Dylan song, I hope she is listening to it somewhere in the ether of time.... I sure do miss her x

@benhackett5430

i'm sure she is friend,right here and now

@chrispereira420

❀❀❀

@aliza1970

my favorite too

@lesn4528

Absolutely brilliant.

@tonykemp3432

Not many artists that can shake you to the core.....Dylan just does it,decades past,but he can still knock you for six.... Lots of good memories come flooding back.....

@johnnyaces4290

This is my first time experiencing this song, and it is amazing like everything else he does

@KS-bt8qo

This song's got nothing on Norwegian Wood. Probably because Dylan's voice has nothing on John Lennon's.

@lull13

That intricate harmonized acoustic guitar picking...so sublime. The full Cutting Edge box set shows how hard it was for the musicians to get an entire live take.

@Vingul

I believe it may be a mandolin, but it might simply be an exquisitely picked guitar, as you say. Fully agree either way, it's lovely.

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