Dylan lived in the Chelsea Hotel (where the Chelsea Girls resided as well) for a few years, with his wife Sara. His first child, Jesse, was born there. But Dylan claims he left the hotel about a year before the Chelsea Girls and the Warhol film.
I'll Keep It with Mine
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But how long, babe, can you search for what is not lost?
Everybody will help you
Some people are very kind
But if I can save you any time
Come on, give it to me
I'll keep it with mine
If I say I'm not loving you not for what you are
But for what you're not
Everybody will help you
Discover what you set out to find
But if I can save you any time
Come on, give it to me
I'll keep it with mine
The train leaves at half past ten
But it'll be back in the same old spot again
The conductor
He's still stuck on the line
And if I can save you any time
Come on, give it to me
I'll keep it with mine
In Bob Dylan's song "I'll Keep It with Mine," the lyrics seem to convey a deep understanding of human nature and our desire to search for things that may not even be lost in the first place. The first stanza suggests that the singer is aware of the turmoil that the other person is going through as they desperately search for something they feel they have lost. However, the singer points out that the thing they seek may not have been lost in the first place and that ultimately, he is willing to help them but wonders how long they will search for something that is not lost.
The second stanza of the song is a bit more philosophical in nature. The singer conveys that sometimes love isn't just about loving someone for who they are but also for who they are not. He points out that he may not love the other person for what they are, but rather for what they are not. This could be interpreted in many ways, but one could assume that the singer is suggesting that sometimes it's the things that a person lacks, or hasn't experienced, that we find most attractive about them.
The final stanza seems to return to the theme of time and the cyclical nature of life. The train leaves at half past ten, but it will be back in the same old spot again. This line suggests that life goes on and that it is futile to worry about things that are out of our control. Ultimately, the singer is willing to help save the other person time by taking the burden of their search upon himself. He tells them to "come on, give it to me, I'll keep it with mine."
Line by Line Meaning
You will search, babe, at any cost
You will try to find what you have lost no matter the cost
But how long, babe, can you search for what is not lost?
You can keep searching for something that you never lost, but how long will it take?
Everybody will help you
Many people will help you in your search
Some people are very kind
Some of these helpful people are very kind
But if I can save you any time
If I can save you any time during this search
Come on, give it to me
Just give me the opportunity to help you
I'll keep it with mine
I will always remember and cherish this moment of helping you
I can't help it if you might think I am odd
I know you may find me strange
If I say I'm not loving you not for what you are
I love you not for who you are
But for what you're not
But for who you are not
Discover what you set out to find
You will eventually find what you were looking for
The train leaves at half past ten
The train will depart at ten thirty
But it'll be back in the same old spot again
But it will return to its original spot again
The conductor
The train conductor
He's still stuck on the line
The conductor is still unable to move the train
And if I can save you any time
If I can help you at all
Come on, give it to me
Please allow me to help you
I'll keep it with mine
I will always remember this time I helped you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lauvshahi1439
You will search, babe, at any cost
But how long, babe, can you search for what is not lost?
Everybody will help you
Some people are very kind
But if I can save you any time
Come on, give it to me
I'll keep it with mine
I can't help it if you might think I am odd
If I say I'm not loving you not for what you are
But for what you're not
Everybody will help you
Discover what you set out to find
But if I can save you any time
Come on, give it to me
I'll keep it with mine
The train leaves at half past ten
But it'll be back in the same old spot again
The conductor
He's still stuck on the line
And if I can save you any time
Come on, give it to me
I'll keep it with mine
@jeffreyhillmeyer3391
I love the instrumentation and that light percussion on this song. It almost is like a music box but somehow in a different sort of archaic manner. It is so unique and powerfully simple and nothing like anything for it's time. It's like walking down the street in your childhood on an Autumn day with the sunlight filtering through the golden leaves that aches to ponder what Winter will bring. God Bless Bob Dylan and his host of musicians. Just to witness this sort of genius is a pleasure.
@nissi.k
Beautiful impressions!🙌
@RouesMusic
I agree. This version has haunted me for years.
@genadomangue9759
I totally understand what you are saying
@stealthsadhu306
Yes! If you're not tripping you might as well be.
@jeffpowersvideo4621
The percussion sounds like just his foot tapping while playing the tack piano
@thomasgarza9304
I'm so glad Bob Dylan leaves the comments open on his music. I also feel truly blessed to share this life with one of the greatest musicians in world history. I seen you in Toledo in 2007 and it changed my young life. I stood in the crowd and seen a man who wasted zero talent that was given to him. I had read books about this musician before of course, and knew all about the public hardships he went through, but to see him on stage, knowing everything he has done and will continue to do, is beyond words. Glory to Christ for the talent that is Bob Dylan.
@shanegreenslade7017
This is one of those songs that still give me goosebumps. How can you really thank someone for creating such high quality for so many decades? Thank you Mister D.
@mickcave169
Dylan's songs are some of my best friends.. I've known them that long.
@nissi.k
This is a wonderful arrangement and Bob is like a beautiful loving bird singing from the tree branches! Love it!♥️🥰