David Hidalgo from Los Lobos is featured on this track playing the accordion. In fact Hidalgo's soulful squeezebox playing can be heard throughout Together Through Life. Dylan got to know Hildago from when he and Los Lobos played some shows in Mexico a few years prior to the recording of the album.
The guitar work of Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is prominent on this track. Dylan and Tom Petty have a history together going back to their days with the Traveling Wilburys and Dylan knew Campbell through their connection. In an interview on his website, Dylan commented on the guitarist: "He's good with me. He's been playing with Tom for so long that he hears everything from a songwriter's point of view and he can play most any style."
In the same interview the interviewer commented that there is "wonderful playing" on this track. Dylan was asked how he approaches the instrumental sections on a record citing the Joe Perry solos on Aerosmith songs as an example. The singer-songwriter legend replied: "What can I say, if I had Joe Perry with me everything would obviously be different. As it is though, he wasn't there. Soloing is not a big part of my records anyway. Nobody buys them to hear solos. What I try to do is to make sure that the instrumental sections are dynamic and are extensions of the overall feeling of the song."
Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're the only love I've ever known
Just as long as you stay with me
The whole world is my throne
Beyond here lies nothin'
Nothing we can call our own
Well, I'm moving after midnight
Don't know what I do without it
Without this love that we call ours
Beyond here lies nothin'
Nothing but the moon and stars
Down every street there's a window
And every window made of glass
We'll keep on loving pretty baby
For as long as love will last
Beyond here lies nothin'
But the mountains of the past
Well my ship is in the harbor
And the sails are spread
Listen to me, pretty baby
Lay your hand upon my head
Beyond here lies nothin'
Nothing done and nothing said
In Bob Dylan's song Beyond Here Lies Nothin', Dylan describes his unconditional love for his lover. He tells her that she's the only love he's ever known and that as long as she stays with him, the whole world belongs to him. However, beyond the present moment, they don't own anything together. Dylan uses imagery in the form of broken cars and streets to describe his journey with his lover. Despite the obstacles they face, he cannot imagine life without the love they share. The moon and stars are the only things that separate them from the unknown journey ahead.
Dylan further states that down every street, there is a window with glass in it, symbolic of the potential for new beginnings. They continue to cherish their love as long as their love lasts. Dylan refers to the past when he mentions the mountains, which are a symbol of the obstacles they've overcome together. His reference to "my ship in the harbor" and "sails spread" are both metaphors for making a journey. Dylan seeks his lover's approval and affection when he asks her to "lay her hand on his head."
Overall, in Beyond Here Lies Nothin', Bob Dylan uses several powerful metaphors to describe his love for his lover and the journey they share. Dylan wants his lover's affection and reminds her that beyond the present moment, they don't own anything together, but together, they can overcome anything that comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh well, I love you pretty baby
The singer is expressing their love for their partner.
You're the only love I've ever known
The singer suggests that their current partner is their only true love in life.
Just as long as you stay with me
The singer hopes that their partner will stay with them indefinitely.
The whole world is my throne
The artist feels empowered and in control of their life as long as they have their partner by their side.
Beyond here lies nothin'
The artist suggests that there is nothing left to fear or worry about beyond their current state of being.
Nothing we can call our own
The singer implies that they have little control over their situation and possessions, and that everything they have is fleeting.
Well, I'm moving after midnight
The singer is doing something risky or daring, possibly for the sake of their relationship.
Down boulevards of broken cars
The artist is travelling down a rough or desolate path, possibly as a metaphor for the difficulties they have faced in their relationship.
Don't know what I do without it
The artist is uncertain about what their life would be like without their current partner and relationship.
Without this love that we call ours
The artist is referring to their relationship as a special or unique love that they share with their partner.
Beyond here lies nothin'
The singer is acknowledging that there is nothing beyond their relationship that they need to worry about, as long as they have each other.
Nothing but the moon and stars
The only thing left beyond this point is nature or the universe, which the artist finds reassuring or comforting.
Down every street there's a window
The singer implies that there are many opportunities or possibilities in life.
And every window made of glass
The singer suggests that these opportunities are clear and visible, or easy to see through.
We'll keep on loving pretty baby
The singer plans to keep their love for their partner for as long as possible.
For as long as love will last
The artist recognizes that love is not infinite and may come to an end someday.
Beyond here lies nothin'
The artist is indicating that the future is unknown and unpredictable, but they are not worried as long as they have their partner.
But the mountains of the past
The singer is acknowledging the difficulties or challenges they have faced in the past and implying that they are now behind them.
Well my ship is in the harbor
The singer suggests that they have arrived at a place of safety and security.
And the sails are spread
The artist is ready to embark on a new journey or adventure with their partner.
Listen to me, pretty baby
The artist is addressing their partner and asking for their undivided attention.
Lay your hand upon my head
The artist is requesting physical affection from their partner.
Beyond here lies nothin'
The singer is suggesting that there is nothing in the future that they cannot overcome with their love and support for each other.
Nothing done and nothing said
The artist is emphasizing the importance of their actions and feelings towards each other, instead of words or promises.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB DYLAN, ROBERT HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hajeralanazi8379
Oh well, I love you pretty baby
You're the only love I've ever known
Just as long as you stay with me
The whole world is my throne
Beyond here lies nothin'
Nothing we can call our own
Well, I'm moving after midnight
Down boulevards of broken cars
Don't know what I do without it
Without this love that we call ours
Beyond here lies nothin'
Nothing but the moon and stars
Down every street there's a window
And every window made of glass
We'll keep on loving pretty baby
For as long as love will last
Beyond here lies nothin'
But the mountains of the past
Well my ship is in the harbor
And the sails are spread
Listen to me, pretty baby
Lay your hand upon my head
Beyond here lies nothin'
Nothing done and nothing said
@mallerstead
Just announced this morning ... Bob Dylan has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for 2016. Congratulations Bob ... and thanks for all the music shared, the inspiration to change the world and make peace.
@user-sd6ds7mx1b
You are A LEGENT. Had the honor to see you live for 1 time in my life. Great song writer Great lyric writer Great mind.ThanX.
@manmusic2559
The people , who made this video , are very talented ..,he who understands them , will understand...greetings to all the gifted....
@Bathoryx619
This is why Bob Dylan's music will be forever young, nothing compares to this song.
@Devan-he4kr
That is what I call a healthy relationship.
@MarkO45839
Detecting a note of sarcasm?
@Saoirse081988
Bob Dylan is amazing! the whole video is a metaphor for addiction, no matter how much it hurts you and tries to kill you, you're always an addict and can come back to it.
@mishakolomoicev9701
Hope u stayed clean love.
@gostrum1
@@mishakolomoicev9701 I’m sure she keeps good hygiene
@inlandindieP35
Mic drop worthy explanation