I'm Not There
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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Things are crashing down, she's all too tight
In my neighborhood she cry both day and night
It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
Days make her so lonely and it's so hard to buck
Now and then

I believe that she'd stop him if she'd find time to care
I believe that she may look upon deciding whose to care
And I go by the Lord, anywhere she's on my way
But I don't belong there

No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to [Incomprehensible]
She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
She's a long hearted mystic and she can't carry on
When I'm there she's alright then she's not when I'm gone

Heaven knows that the answer she don't con no one
She's the way forsaken beauty, she's mine for the one
And I lost her hesitating about temptation as it runs
She don't harm me, I'm not there I'm gone

Now I've cried tonight like I cried the night before
And I'll feast on the highway but I'll dream about the door
It's alone she's forsaken by her fate with to tell
It don't have approximation she is smiling fairly well

Her smile is contagious, I was born to love her
But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her
And I run by the race but it's not too fast stayed
But I got the fever I'm not there, I'm gone

Well, it's all about diffusion as I cry for her veil
I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
And it's all affirmation, I'm asleep but it's not
She's a lone-hearted beauty but she don't like spot
And she calls

Yeah, she's gone like a rainbow that was shining yesterday
But she's home now beside me and I'd like her to stay
She's a lone forsaken beauty and she don't trust no one
And I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone

It's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave
It's so hard for so few you see but she's hard to, hard to me
It's a [Incomprehensible] it's a crime, the way she mauls me around
But she don't phone to hate me but it's down to make her crown

Yes, I believe that it's rightful, I believe it in my mind
I've been told like I said for carrying on crying




Yes, the soul gypsy told her like I said carry on
Wish I was there to help me but I'm not there, I'm gone

Overall Meaning

Bob Dylan’s song “I’m Not There” is a soulful ballad that speaks of a woman who is struggling in life while the singer tries to be there for her despite their own ongoing struggles. The lyrics create a vivid picture of a woman who is breaking down and crying every day and night, indicating that life has become unbearable for her. The singer sees her struggles as a milestone, and despite his desire to be there for her, he confesses that he does not belong to her. He sees her as a “Christ forsaken angel” who cannot hear him crying, and as a “long hearted mystic” who cannot carry on.


The singer believes that the woman would have stopped him if she had found the time and care to do so. He continues to believe that “there might be someone or something divine deciding who to care about”. He follows his instincts and goes wherever she is, but he does not belong there. The woman is described as a “way forsaken beauty” who is smiling fairly well despite being forsaken by fate. The singer was “born to love her”, but he knows that the kingdom waits for her high above.


In conclusion, Dylan’s song “I’m Not There” is a melancholic and poetic masterpiece that portrays the struggles of life from the perspective of two different people. The singer, despite his own struggles, tries to be there for the woman, but ultimately realizes that he does not belong to her. The song speaks of the tragedy of life and the inevitability of fate.


Line by Line Meaning

Things are crashing down, she's all too tight
The singer's world is collapsing and the woman he is talking about is overwhelmed.


In my neighborhood she cry both day and night
The woman is very sad and is always crying.


It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
The woman has achieved something that is considered a significant accomplishment, but she is still having a hard time.


Days make her so lonely and it's so hard to buck
The woman feels very lonely and is struggling to overcome her problems.


Now and then
This phrase serves as a transition to the next verse.


I believe that she'd stop him if she'd find time to care
The singer thinks that if the woman cared about him more, she would prevent him from doing something.


I believe that she may look upon deciding whose to care
The singer thinks that the woman has to choose between caring for him and someone or something else and that she will prioritize the latter.


And I go by the Lord, anywhere she's on my way
The artist follows the woman wherever she goes.


But I don't belong there
The artist feels like he is not welcomed by the woman or that he does not fit in.


No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to [Incomprehensible]
The artist does not belong to the woman, nor does he belong to anyone else she may care about or be involved with.


She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
The woman is like an angel to the singer, but she does not listen to him when he is in distress.


She's a long hearted mystic and she can't carry on
The woman is intuitive and empathetic but is struggling to cope.


When I'm there she's alright then she's not when I'm gone
The woman's mood and well-being fluctuate based on the singer's presence or absence.


Heaven knows that the answer she don't con no one
The singer believes that only the woman knows the answer to her problems, and she is not trying to deceive anyone.


She's the way forsaken beauty, she's mine for the one
The woman is beautiful but has been abandoned, and to the singer, she is the only one that matters.


And I lost her hesitating about temptation as it runs
The artist lost the woman by giving in to temptation as it presented itself.


She don't harm me, I'm not there I'm gone
The woman does not harm the artist but he feels like he is not really there or has left.


Now I've cried tonight like I cried the night before
The singer has been crying for consecutive nights.


And I'll feast on the highway but I'll dream about the door
The singer will keep on moving but will continue to have a longing for something or someone else.


It's alone she's forsaken by her fate with to tell
The woman is alone and has been abandoned by fate or destiny, leaving her without any guidance.


It don't have approximation she is smiling fairly well
It is not clear how well the woman is coping, but she appears to be smiling.


Her smile is contagious, I was born to love her
The woman's smile is infectious, and the artist feels like he was destined to love her.


But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her
The woman is aware that there is something greater than herself and her problems.


And I run by the race but it's not too fast stayed
The artist keeps on trying to keep up, but he feels like he is lagging behind.


But I got the fever I'm not there, I'm gone
The singer is driven but feels like he is not really present or has left.


Well, it's all about diffusion as I cry for her veil
The situation is confusing, and the singer is crying for something that he cannot fully understand.


I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
The singer does not need anyone else to guide him or help him understand.


And it's all affirmation, I'm asleep but it's not
The artist is getting confirmation but is not entirely sure if he is awake or dreaming.


She's a lone-hearted beauty but she don't like spot
The woman is beautiful, but she does not want the spotlight or attention.


And she calls
This phrase serves as a transition to the next verse.


Yeah, she's gone like a rainbow that was shining yesterday
The woman is no longer present, just like a rainbow that was visible but then faded away.


But she's home now beside me and I'd like her to stay
The woman is now with the artist, and he wants her to stay by his side.


She's a lone forsaken beauty and she don't trust no one
The woman is beautiful but feels abandoned and does not trust anyone.


And I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone
The artist wants to be with the woman, but he feels like he is not really present or has left.


It's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave
The situation is challenging, and the singer is torn between staying or leaving.


It's so hard for so few you see but she's hard to, hard to me
Everyone finds the situation difficult, but it is particularly hard for the artist because of his connection to the woman.


It's a [Incomprehensible] it's a crime, the way she mauls me around
The situation is confusing and feels like a crime because the woman is treating the singer poorly.


But she don't phone to hate me but it's down to make her crown
The woman is not intentionally trying to hurt the singer, but her behavior is making her feel empowered or in control.


Yes, I believe that it's rightful, I believe it in my mind
The singer believes that the situation is fair or justified, and he is convinced of it.


I've been told like I said for carrying on crying
The artist has been told to keep on crying or to continue mourning.


Yes, the soul gypsy told her like I said carry on
The artist is suggesting that a person (soul gypsy) has told the woman to keep on doing what she is doing.


Wish I was there to help me but I'm not there, I'm gone
The singer wants to be present to assist himself or the woman, but he feels like he is not really there or has left.




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

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

Bryan Keisling

Lyrics:
Things are crashing down, she's all too tight
In my neighborhood she cry both day and night
It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
Days make her so lonely and it's so hard to buck
Now and then

I believe that she'd stop him if she'd find time to care
I believe that she may look upon deciding whose to care
And I go by the Lord, anywhere she's on my way
But I don't belong there

No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to [Incomprehensible]
She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
She's a long hearted mystic and she can't carry on
When I'm there she's alright then she's not when I'm gone

Heaven knows that the answer she don't con no one
She's the way forsaken beauty, she's mine for the one
And I lost her hesitating about temptation as it runs
She don't harm me, I'm not there I'm gone

Now I've cried tonight like I cried the night before
And I'll feast on the highway but I'll dream about the door
It's alone she's forsaken by her fate with to tell
It don't have approximation she is smiling fairly well

Her smile is contagious, I was born to love her
But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her
And I run by the race but it's not too fast stayed
But I got the fever I'm not there, I'm gone

Well, it's all about diffusion as I cry for her veil
I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
And it's all affirmation, I'm asleep but it's not
She's a lone-hearted beauty but she don't like spot
And she calls

Yeah, she's gone like a rainbow that was shining yesterday
But she's home now beside me and I'd like her to stay
She's a lone forsaken beauty and she don't trust no one
And I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone

It's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave
It's so hard for so few you see but she's hard to, hard to me
It's a [Incomprehensible] it's a crime, the way she mauls me around
But she don't phone to hate me but it's down to make her crown

Yes, I believe that it's rightful, I believe it in my mind
I've been told like I said for carrying on crying
Yes, the soul gypsy told her like I said carry on
Wish I was there to help me but I'm not there, I'm gone



Repeat Quotations

Sounded out the lyrics. Hope someone else finds them helpful! Corrections appreciated 🙏

It ain’t alright and then she's all too tight
In my neighborhood she cried both day and night
I know it because he was there..
It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
And she delay so long, then about to make him hard to buck
Now and then

I believe when she'd stop him if she wants time to care
I believe that she’d look up on deciding to care
And I go by the Lord, anyway she's on my way
But I don't belong there

No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to every why
She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
She's a long hearted mystic and she can't carry on
When I'm there she's alright but then she's not when I'm gone

Heaven knows that the answer she don't call on no one
She's the way, forsaken beautiful, she's mine for the one
And I lost her hesitation ‘bout temptation as it runs
But she don't follow me, but I'm not there I'm gone

Now I've cried tonight like I cried the night before
And I’m released on the high street but I'll dream about the door
It's alone she's forsaken by her fate with to tell
It don't have approximation she smiles “fair thee well”

Now when I treat the lady, I was born to love her
But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her
And I run but I race but it's not too fast to slip
But I don’t perceive her, I'm not there, I'm gone

Well, it's all about diffusion as I cry for her veil
I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
And it's all affirmation, I receive, but it's not
She's a lone-hearted beauty but she don't like the spot
And she calls

Yeah, she's gone like the rain below that’s shining yesterday
But now she's home beside me and I'd like to hear her stay
She's a lone forsaken beauty and it don't trust anyone
And I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone

Well it’s a too hard to stake in and I don't bob and leave
It's a bad course abusing and she’s a hard, too hard to leave
It's a low, it's a crime, the way she mauls me around
But she told for to hate me but this lone forsaken clown

Yes, I believe that it's rightful, oh I believe it in my mind
I've been told like I said when I’ve been for carrying on and crying
And she sold it to told her like I said, carry on
I wish I was there to help her but I'm not there, I'm gone



Juan Camacho

Things are crashing down, she's all too tight
In my neighborhood she cry both day and night
It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
Days make her so lonely and it's so hard to buck
Now and then

I believe that she'd stop him if she'd find time to care
I believe that she may look upon deciding whose to care
And I go by the Lord, anywhere she's on my way
But I don't belong there

No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to [Incomprehensible]
She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
She's a long hearted mystic and she can't carry on
When I'm there she's alright then she's not when I'm gone

Heaven knows that the answer she don't con no one
She's the way forsaken beauty, she's mine for the one
And I lost her hesitating about temptation as it runs
She don't harm me, I'm not there I'm gone

Now I've cried tonight like I cried the night before
And I'll feast on the highway but I'll dream about the door
It's alone she's forsaken by her fate with to tell
It don't have approximation she is smiling fairly well

Her smile is contagious, I was born to love her
But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her
And I run by the race but it's not too fast stayed
But I got the fever I'm not there, I'm gone

Well, it's all about diffusion as I cry for her veil
I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
And it's all affirmation, I'm asleep but it's not
She's a lone-hearted beauty but she don't like spot
And she calls

Yeah, she's gone like a rainbow that was shining yesterday
But she's home now beside me and I'd like her to stay
She's a lone forsaken beauty and she don't trust no one
And I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone

It's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave
It's so hard for so few you see but she's hard to, hard to me
It's a [Incomprehensible] it's a crime, the way she mauls me around
But she don't phone to hate me but it's down to make her crown

Yes, I believe that it's rightful, I believe it in my mind
I've been told like I said for carrying on crying
Yes, the soul gypsy told her like I said carry on
Wish I was there to help me but I'm not there, I'm gone



All comments from YouTube:

Tom

One of his greatest ever songs, and it remains unheard by most casual fans. This is quite hypnotic.

Yousef momtojachih

Couldn't agree more

Filip Obajdin

Unheard by most, unintelligible to the rest

Jennif S

@Filip Obajdin the cryptic is the reason why i love this man as i do Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.

kevin joseph

@Filip Obajdin hence it took years to get the words down to copyright.

Blair Dawson

Yes true statement it what it is

DJ

There isn't another song that is better written nor conveys more emotion. Word-for-word, this is a masterpiece. To think he recorded this once and never released it just adds to that even more. The man is a king.

solidsnake434

Plus the fact that Dylan came up with this song right on the spot, that's why the lyrics are so hazy. I've witnessed the man do similarly in other demos and footage around the 60's, just mumbling the lyrics onto an incredibly beautiful melody. He has dozens of hidden gems like this one, 'I can't leave her behind' comes to mind but this is I think BD's sweetspot. After the "accident" and before the 70's, simply amazing!

Smallhands

@solidsnake434 Dozens of hidden gems?? Can you name some of them? I only know "To Fall In Love With You" - I´m a kind of newbie... Best regards from Germany!

solidsnake434

@Smallhands What kind of friend is this, On a rainy afternoon, the afore mentioned Cant leave her behind, Farewell Angelina, Sitting on a birbed wire fence, Positively 4th street just to name a few

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