A Fool Such as I
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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Now an' then, there's a fool such as I
Pardon me if I'm sentimental, when we say goodbye
Don't be angry, don't be angry with me, should I cry
When you're gone I will dream a little dream as years go by
Now an' then, there's a fool, a fool such as I
Now an' then there's a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love an' now you say that we are through
I am a fool, but I love you dear, yes I will, until the day I die
Now an' then there's a fool such as I

Pardon me, pardon me if I'm sentimental when we say goodbye
Don't be angry, don't be angry with me, should I cry
When you're gone, when you're gone
I will dream a little, I will dream as years go by
Now an' then, now an' then, there's a fool, a fool such as I
Now an' then there's a fool, a fool such as I am over you
You taught me how to love an' now you say that we are through
I am a fool, yes but I love you dear
I will love you dear, until the day, until the day I die
Now an' then, now an' then there's a fool, a fool such as I




Now an' then, there's a fool, a fool such as I
Now an' then, there's a fool such as I

Overall Meaning

In Bob Dylan's song A Fool Such as I, the lyrics describe a person who has been taught to love by someone who is now leaving them. The singer is expressing their sentimentalism and their love for the person who is leaving, revealing that they are a fool for still loving them despite being left alone. They ask for forgiveness if they become emotional or shed tears during their farewell. The phrase "Now an' then, there's a fool such as I" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the idea that this type of love is foolish and rare.


The song explores the theme of love and heartbreak, as well as the concept of fools in love. The singer realizes that they have been naive in their love for this person, as they were not aware that their love would end in heartbreak. Despite this, they cannot help but still love the person who is leaving them, indicating the complex nature of love and the irrationality it can evoke.


Line by Line Meaning

Now an' then, there's a fool such as I
Occasionally, someone like me, a foolish person, comes along


Pardon me if I'm sentimental, when we say goodbye
Please excuse me if I become emotional when we part ways


Don't be angry, don't be angry with me, should I cry
Please don't be upset with me if I shed tears


When you're gone I will dream a little dream as years go by
When you're no longer here, I'll hold onto the hope that one day we'll be together again


Now an' then, there's a fool, a fool such as I
Again, every once in a while, someone like me, a foolish person, shows up


Now an' then there's a fool such as I am over you
Occasionally, I am that foolish person who is still in love with you


You taught me how to love an' now you say that we are through
You showed me what it was like to love, but now you're telling me it's over


I am a fool, but I love you dear, yes I will, until the day I die
I know I'm foolish, but I still love you deeply, and I always will, even until I draw my last breath


Now an' then there's a fool, a fool such as I
Again, every once in a while, someone like me, a foolish person, comes along




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: William Marvin Trader

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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