Nettie Moore
Bob Dylan Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track
Something's out of whack
Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail
Gonna leave a greasy trail

Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do
Then come back and see you
All I ever do is struggle and strive
If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive

I'm the oldest son of a crazy man
I'm in a cowboy band
Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide
I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

Well, the world of research has gone berserk
Too much paperwork
Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell
I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell

I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog
Get away from these demagogues
And these bad luck women stick like glue
It's either one or the other or neither of the two

She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants
You could get wrecked in this dance"
They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will
I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'are
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

Don't know why my baby never looked so good before
Don't have to wonder no more
She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night
I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite

The judge's coming in, everybody rise
Lift up your eyes
You can do what you please, you don't need my advice
'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice

Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped
I think the rain has stopped
I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate
When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

The bright spark of the steady lights
Has dimmed my sights
When you're around me all my grief gives 'way
A life time with you is like some heavenly day

Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong
I'll be drifting along
The woman I'm loving she rules my heart
No knife could ever cut our love apart

Today I'll stand in faith and raise
The voice of praise
The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light
I wish to God that it were night

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall




But there's no one here left to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Bob Dylan's Nettie Moore are open to interpretation as they cover a range of themes such as love, loss, struggle, and faith. The song talks about the struggle of Lost John, the singer, who is finding it difficult to come to terms with his life. He is sitting on a railroad track contemplating his situation, and something seems to be out of place. This feeling is expressed through the blues tune as the lyrics suggest that Lost John is having a hard time.


Lost John wants to travel the world and see new sights, but he also wants to come back and see Nettie Moore, whom he misses. He feels that all he does is struggle, and if he does not harm anyone, he may make it back home alive. Lost John is the oldest son of a crazy man, and he is a member of a cowboy band. He has a pile of sins to pay for, and he has no time to hide. Lost John would walk through a blazing fire if he knew Nettie Moore was on the other side.


The world of research has gone berserk, too much paperwork, and people like Albert are in the graveyard, while Frankie is raising hell. Lost John has gone where the Southern crosses the Yellow Dog to get away from demagogues, and bad luck women stick to him like glue. He also says that he can't eat all the food his lover has cooked for him.


Overall, the song is a bleak reflection on the struggle of Lost John's life. The lyrics reflect the bleakness and hopelessness of the situation that Lost John is in. The song presents a sense of longing for a better future, a hope for something that might be out there.


Line by Line Meaning

Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track
Someone named Lost John is sitting on the railroad track


Something's out of whack
Something is not right


Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail
Feeling sad like the blues, it is like hail falling hard and fast


Gonna leave a greasy trail
Actions will have negative consequences


Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do
Plan to travel the world


Then come back and see you
After traveling, they plan to come back and see someone


All I ever do is struggle and strive
Always trying hard to achieve goals despite difficulties


If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive
If they don't harm anyone, they might survive and return home


I'm the oldest son of a crazy man
Speaker is the oldest child of a crazy father


I'm in a cowboy band
Part of a musical group that plays cowboy music


Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide
Has many regrets and no time to avoid facing them


I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side
Speaker would risk anything to be with someone they love


Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
Speaker misses Nettie Moore


And my happiness is o'er
Feeling unhappy


Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
Spring is coming and the river is swelling


I loved you then, and ever shall
Loved Nettie Moore in the past and will continue to do so


But there's no one left here to tell
No one else remains to share this fact with


The world has gone black before my eyes
Everything looks dark and hopeless


Well, the world of research has gone berserk
The world of research is chaotic


Too much paperwork
Overwhelmed with paperwork


Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell
Albert is dead and Frankie is causing trouble


I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell
Beginning to believe religious teachings


I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog
Traveled to a specific location


Get away from these demagogues
Get away from manipulative leaders


And these bad luck women stick like glue
Unlucky women are hard to avoid


It's either one or the other or neither of the two
Choosing between options, including not choosing at all


She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants
Someone warns the singer against damaging their pants


You could get wrecked in this dance"
The dance may have negative consequences


They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will
Whisky is said to be deadly, but the artist disagrees


I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill
Supporting someone until they reach their goal


Don't know why my baby never looked so good before
Surprised by their lover's newfound attractiveness


Don't have to wonder no more
No longer have to guess about something


She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night
Lover has been cooking all day; it will take a while to finish eating it all


I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite
The food is too much to eat all at once


The judge's coming in, everybody rise
The judge is entering, and everyone must stand up


Lift up your eyes
Look up and pay attention


You can do what you please, you don't need my advice
Everyone has freedom of choice and doesn't need the singer's advice


'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice
Think before calling the singer derogatory names


Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped
Morning is coming, and it's getting colder


I think the rain has stopped
Believe the rain has ended


I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate
Teach someone to accept their destiny


When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight
Speaker will help the person become more efficient


The bright spark of the steady lights
Bright shining lights


Has dimmed my sights
Has made things less visible


When you're around me all my grief gives 'way
Being with someone makes the artist feel better


A life time with you is like some heavenly day
Living with someone is like being in heaven


Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong
The singer's beliefs have been challenged


I'll be drifting along
Going with the flow


The woman I'm loving she rules my heart
The singer's lover has an important role in their life


No knife could ever cut our love apart
Their love is strong and can't be broken


Today I'll stand in faith and raise
Being faithful and raising one's voice in praise


The voice of praise
Celebrating and praising something


The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light
Feeling positive and happy


I wish to God that it were night
Wishing it was nighttime




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

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

@albe9736

Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track
Something's out of whack
Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail
Gonna leave a greasy trail
Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do
Then come back and see you
All I ever do is struggle and strive
If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive
I'm the oldest son of a crazy man
I'm in a cowboy band
Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide
I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
Well, the world of research has gone berserk
Too much paperwork
Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell
I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell
I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog
Get away from these demagogues
And these bad luck women stick like glue
It's either one or the other or neither of the two
She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants
You could get wrecked in this dance"
They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will
I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'are
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
Don't know why my baby never looked so good before
Don't have to wonder no more
She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night
I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite
The judge's coming in, everybody rise
Lift up your eyes
You can do what you please, you don't need my advice
'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice
Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped
I think the rain has stopped
I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate
When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
The bright spark of the steady lights
Has dimmed my sights
When you're around me all my grief gives 'way
A life time with you is like some heavenly day
Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong
I'll be drifting along
The woman I'm loving she rules my heart
No knife could ever cut our love apart
Today I'll stand in faith and raise
The voice of praise
The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light
I wish to God that it were night
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one here left to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes



@BOBDYLANESPANOL

Lost John estĆ” sentado en una vĆ­a de ferrocarril
Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track

Algo estĆ” fuera de control
Something's out of whack

Blues esta maƱana cayendo como granizo
Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail

Voy a dejar un rastro grasiento
Gonna leave a greasy trail
Viajar por el mundo es lo que voy a hacer
Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do

Entonces vuelve y nos vemos
Then come back and see you

Todo lo que hago es luchar y esforzarme.
All I ever do is struggle and strive

Si no le hago ningĆŗn daƱo a nadie, podrĆ­a regresar vivo a casa.
If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive
Soy el hijo mayor de un loco
I'm the oldest son of a crazy man

estoy en una banda de vaqueros
I'm in a cowboy band

Tengo un montĆ³n de pecados que pagar y no tengo tiempo para esconderme
Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide

Caminarƭa a travƩs de un fuego ardiente, cariƱo, si supiera que estƔs del otro lado
I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side

Oh, te extraƱo, Nettie Moore.
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore

Y mi felicidad ha terminado
And my happiness is o'er

El invierno se ha ido, el rĆ­o estĆ” creciendo
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise

Te amƩ entonces y siempre te amarƩ.
I loved you then, and ever shall

Pero no queda nadie aquĆ­ para decirlo.
But there's no one left here to tell

El mundo se ha vuelto negro ante mis ojos.
The world has gone black before my eyes

Bueno, el mundo de la investigaciĆ³n se ha vuelto loco.
Well, the world of research has gone berserk

demasiado papeleo
Too much paperwork

Albert estĆ” en el cementerio, Frankie estĆ” armando un infierno
Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell

Estoy empezando a creer lo que dicen las escrituras.
I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell

He ido donde el Sur cruza El Perro Amarillo
I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog

AlƩjate de estos demagogos
Get away from these demagogues

Y estas mujeres de mala suerte se pegan como pegamento
And these bad luck women stick like glue

Es uno o el otro o ninguno de los dos
It's either one or the other or neither of the two

Ella dice: "Cuidado, papĆ”, no quiero que te rompas los pantalones".
She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants

PodrĆ­as arruinarte en este baile"
You could get wrecked in this dance"

Dicen que el whisky te matarĆ”, pero no creo que sea asĆ­.
They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will

Voy contigo a la cima de la colina
I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill

Oh, te extraƱo, Nettie Moore.
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore

Y mi felicidad es o'are
And my happiness is o'are

El invierno se ha ido, el rĆ­o estĆ” creciendo
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise

Te amƩ entonces y siempre te amarƩ.
I loved you then, and ever shall

Pero no queda nadie aquĆ­ para decirlo.
But there's no one left here to tell

El mundo se ha vuelto negro ante mis ojos.
The world has gone black before my eyes

No sƩ por quƩ mi bebƩ nunca antes se vio tan bien
Don't know why my baby never looked so good before

No tienes que preguntarte mƔs
Don't have to wonder no more

Ella ha estado cocinando todo el dĆ­a, me llevarĆ” toda la noche.
She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night

No puedo comer todo eso de un solo bocado.
I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite

El juez estĆ” entrando, todos se levantan.
The judge's coming in, everybody rise

Levanta tus ojos
Lift up your eyes

Puedes hacer lo que quieras, no necesitas mi consejo.
You can do what you please, you don't need my advice

"Antes de que me llames con nombres sucios, serĆ” mejor que lo pienses dos veces
'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice

Al salir la luz, la temperatura bajĆ³
Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped

Creo que la lluvia ha parado
I think the rain has stopped

Voy a hacerte enfrentar el destino
I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate

Cuando termine contigo, aprenderƔs a mantener tu negocio en orden.
When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight

Oh, te extraƱo, Nettie Moore.
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore

Y mi felicidad ha terminado
And my happiness is o'er

El invierno se ha ido, el rĆ­o estĆ” creciendo
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise

Te amƩ entonces y siempre te amarƩ.
I loved you then, and ever shall

Pero no queda nadie aquĆ­ para decirlo.
But there's no one left here to tell

El mundo se ha vuelto negro ante mis ojos.
The world has gone black before my eyes

La brillante chispa de las luces fijas
The bright spark of the steady lights

Ha atenuado mi vista
Has dimmed my sights

Cuando estƔs a mi alrededor todo mi dolor cede
When you're around me all my grief gives 'way

Una vida contigo es como un dĆ­a celestial.
A life time with you is like some heavenly day

Todo lo que siempre supe que era correcto ha demostrado ser incorrecto.
Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong

estarƩ a la deriva
I'll be drifting along

La mujer que amo ella gobierna mi corazĆ³n
The woman I'm loving she rules my heart

NingĆŗn cuchillo podrĆ­a jamĆ”s cortar nuestro amor
No knife could ever cut our love apart

Hoy me mantendrƩ en fe y levantarƩ
Today I'll stand in faith and raise

La voz de alabanza
The voice of praise

El sol es fuerte, estoy parado en la luz
The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light

Quisiera a Dios que fuera de noche
I wish to God that it were night

Oh, te extraƱo, Nettie Moore.
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore

Y mi felicidad ha terminado
And my happiness is o'er

El invierno se ha ido, el rĆ­o estĆ” creciendo
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise

Te amƩ entonces y siempre te amarƩ.
I loved you then, and ever shall

Pero no queda nadie aquĆ­ para decĆ­rselo.
But there's no one here left to tell

El mundo se ha vuelto negro ante mis ojos.
The world has gone black before my eyes



@juancamacho5746

Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track
Something's out of whack
Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail
Gonna leave a greasy trail

Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do
Then come back and see you
All I ever do is struggle and strive
If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive

I'm the oldest son of a crazy man
I'm in a cowboy band
Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide
I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
šŸŽµšŸŽ¶šŸŽµšŸŽ¶
Well, the world of research has gone berserk
Too much paperwork
Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell
I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell

I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog
Get away from these demagogues
And these bad luck women stick like glue
It's either one or the other or neither of the two

She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants
You could get wrecked in this dance"
They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will
I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
šŸŽµšŸŽ¶šŸŽµšŸŽ¶
Don't know why my baby never looked so good before
Don't have to wonder no more
She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night
I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite

The judge's coming in, everybody rise
Lift up your eyes
You can do what you please, you don't need my advice
'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice

Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped
I think the rain has stopped
I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate
When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
šŸŽµšŸŽ¶šŸŽµšŸŽ¶
The bright spark of the steady lights
Has dimmed my sights
When you're around me all my grief gives 'way
A life time with you is like some heavenly day

Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong
I'll be drifting along
The woman I'm loving she rules my heart
No knife could ever cut our love apart

Today I'll stand in faith and raise
The voice of praise
The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light
I wish to God that it were night

Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one here left to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes



All comments from YouTube:

@valeriemillar5209

Who said Bob Dylan could not sing .. I love his mature voice as much as his younger one

@123thof

The breathtaking pain of love that lingers beyond its time

@veronikabenson5803

Beautifully stated.šŸ˜¢

@danfate6862

Masterpiece

@jayneerindefranco3085

pure genius as always

@albe9736

Lost John's sittin' on a railroad track
Something's out of whack
Blues this mornin' fallin' down like hail
Gonna leave a greasy trail
Gonna travel the world is what I'm gonna do
Then come back and see you
All I ever do is struggle and strive
If I don't do anybody any harm, I might make it back home alive
I'm the oldest son of a crazy man
I'm in a cowboy band
Got a pile of sins to pay for and I ain't got time to hide
I'd walk through a blazing fire, baby, if I knew you was on the other side
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
Well, the world of research has gone berserk
Too much paperwork
Albert's in the graveyard, Frankie's raising hell
I'm beginning to believe what the scriptures tell
I've gone where the Southern crosses The Yellow Dog
Get away from these demagogues
And these bad luck women stick like glue
It's either one or the other or neither of the two
She says, "Look out, daddy, don't want you to tear your pants
You could get wrecked in this dance"
They say whisky'll kill you, but I don't think it will
I'm ridin' with you to the top of the hill
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'are
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
Don't know why my baby never looked so good before
Don't have to wonder no more
She been cooking all day, it gonna take me all night
I can't eat all that stuff in a single bite
The judge's coming in, everybody rise
Lift up your eyes
You can do what you please, you don't need my advice
'Fore you call me any dirty names, you better think twice
Gettin' light outside, the temperature dropped
I think the rain has stopped
I'm gonna make you come to grips with fate
When I'm through with you, you'll learn to keep your business straight
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one left here to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes
The bright spark of the steady lights
Has dimmed my sights
When you're around me all my grief gives 'way
A life time with you is like some heavenly day
Everything I've ever known to be right has been proven wrong
I'll be drifting along
The woman I'm loving she rules my heart
No knife could ever cut our love apart
Today I'll stand in faith and raise
The voice of praise
The sun is strong, I'm standing in the light
I wish to God that it were night
Oh, I miss you, Nettie Moore
And my happiness is o'er
Winter's gone, the river's on the rise
I loved you then, and ever shall
But there's no one here left to tell
The world has gone black before my eyes

@yamapenny5960

DANKESCHƖN šŸŒæšŸ’ž

@masonkanterbury3007

One of the most perfect songs.

@keepthefaith6909

Beautiful song.

@kasemottokasemotto2182

La verdad muchas gracias porque ninca encontraba la version original...
Un gran favor hacerme que escuche esta gran obra de arte tan preciosa y original porque la encontraba solamente en videos de conciertos y no es lo mismo...

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