Call Letter Blues
Bob Dylan Lyrics

Well, I walked all night long
The singer has spent a restless night.

Hearin' 'em church bells tone
The church bells rang throughout the night.

Yes, I walked all night long
The singer has been walking aimlessly for hours.

Listenin' to them church bells tone
The ringing of the church bells has been the companion of the artist.

Either someone needing mercy
The ringing of the church bells may indicate someone in need of divine intervention.

Or maybe something I've done wrong
The singer feels guilty and thinks the bells may be a consequence of his actions.

Well, your friends come by for you
People who care about the singer visit him.

I don't know what to say
The artist is at a loss and doesn't know how to react.

I just can't face up to tell 'em
The artist avoids the responsibility of informing the visitors about the loss.

Honey, you just went away
The artist's significant other has left him.

Well, children cry for mother
Young children miss the presence of their mother.

I tell them, "Mother took a trip"
The artist makes up a story to comfort the children.

Well, I walk on pins and needles
The singer is anxious and worrisome.

I hope my tongue don't slip
The singer is afraid to say something inappropriate.

Yes, I gaze at passing strangers
The singer looks at other people in the hope of finding his significant other.

In case I might see you
The artist is desperate to catch a glimpse of his lost love.

But this sun goes around the heavens
Days pass by and the artist is still searching in vain.

And another day just drives on through
The endless cycle of day and night continues.

Way out in the distance
The singer believes his significant other is far away.

I know you're with some other man
The artist knows his significant other has found someone else.

But that's alright, baby
The artist has come to terms with the reality of the situation.

You know I always understand
The artist loves his significant other enough to forgive her.

Call girls in the doorway
Prostitutes are waiting for clients in the street.

All giving me the eye
The prostitutes try to attract the attention of the artist.

But my heart's just not in it
The singer is not interested in their services.

I might as well pass right on by
The singer ignores the prostitutes and continues walking.

My ears are ringin'
The singer hears a persistent sound.

Ringin' like empty shells
The sound is reminiscent of empty shells or an echo.

Well, it can't be no guitar player
The sound is not from a guitar playing.

It must be convent bells
The sound is probably from the bells of a nearby convent.