Shelter from the Storm
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence I got repaid with scorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born




Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Overall Meaning

The song "Shelter from the Storm" by Bob Dylan was released in 1975 as a part of his album "Blood on the Tracks." The song tells a story of a man in distress who comes across a woman who offers him shelter from the various storms of life. As the song progresses, we see the man encounter various perils like toil and blood, exhaustion, and betrayal, but the woman stands steadfast through it all, offering him solace. The refrain, "Come in, she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm," puts forth the idea that regardless of the hardships life brings, there's always someone who will provide us with comfort and security.


The song is deeply metaphorical, with each verse presenting a unique meaning. There's a sense of hopelessness that runs throughout the song, but the woman who offers the singer refuge is a symbol of hope. Even though the man is battered by the harsh realities of life, he can find his way back to warmth and shelter through her loving arms. The line, "Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine," suggests that even though life is uncertain, the singer would try to capture its beauty to the best of his abilities.


Overall, "Shelter from the Storm" is a song that speaks to the human condition. The longing for safety and respite from life's adversity is a universal sentiment, and the song puts forth the idea that such refuge can be found in the love and support of other people.


Line by Line Meaning

'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
The singer reflects on a previous life where they were subjected to hard work and violent conflict.


When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
The darkness of the time was considered noble, emphasizing the difficulties of traversing through it.


I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
The singer seeks refuge after wandering aimlessly and feeling uncertain about their identity.


Come in, she said I'll give ya shelter from the storm
A woman offers the artist a safe haven from their current struggles.


And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
The artist promises to repay the kindness and generosity of the woman who offered them shelter.


In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm
The environment is hostile, with people fighting for survival in a merciless world.


Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
The singer and the woman communicate without words, and there is a sense of safety in their interaction.


Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
The past events leading up to their meeting were left unsettled and unfinished.


Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
The woman invites the artist to imagine a utopia where they can find safety and comfort from the world's harshness.


I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
The artist recounts past struggles where they faced exhaustion, sickness, and danger, leaving them feeling defeated and worn out.


Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
The woman's appearance is a stark contrast to the singer's current predicament, offering him kindness and taking his burden upon herself.


Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Something has changed in their relationship, and the artist realizes they have misunderstood the woman's intentions.


Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn
Reflecting on their past, the singer ponders how this unexpected relationship with the woman came to be.


Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
The singer conveys that, in the end, social status holds no weight as all must face their inevitable doom.


I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove And old men with broken teeth stranded without love Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn
The singer has witnessed the painful struggles of humanity, questioning whether the man asking the question believes life to be hopeless.


In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose I offered up my innocence I got repaid with scorn
The artist gives examples of how they have placed their trust in others, only to be betrayed and hurt in the end.


Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
The artist longs for a better and safer world, where they can possess beauty and true happiness. This also serves as a metaphor for the state of society that the artist resides in.


Come in, she said I'll give ya shelter from the storm
The woman's offer of shelter is repeated, emphasizing the importance of finding a safe haven in a harsh world.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

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

@juancamacho5746

Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence I got repaid with scorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm



@santaclaushawkeyenj3878

Shelter from the Storm
Song by Bob Dylan

Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death, and men who are fighting to be warm
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence I got repaid with scorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Bob Dylan



All comments from YouTube:

@dansilva310

I’m diagnosed terminal, spending some quiet alone listening to Dylan written before I was old enough to appreciate it then. Im finding some comfort here.

@theghostofarchiebunker8859

Wow. That’s heavy. I’m so sorry. My mom spent her last days listening to Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez I think she just wanted to feel. I wish you all the love you can fit inside your soul

@frederickhudson2238

Peace to you in your meditations

@tiffanypeters7588

I’m sorry. My daughter had brain surgery this morning on a brain tumor they found this week she has been in icu all week that’s what brought me here

@orbit5311

I wish the best for you. Allah seni korusun

@michaelmcarthur4013

You are eternal, my friend. Your strength in your current position is a marvel in itself. Should your time on this plane be limited then may you find your forever home in the next. All my love.

488 More Replies...

@compostwise

The Nobel Prize for literature could not have gone to a greater poet of his era.
From a song, no one can put a film of life inside your head like Bob Dylan can.

@samuelackah2210

No, it was dumb to give the Nobel in literature to a songwriter - nepotistic and tunnel visioned. Millions of book writers, past and now, could’ve received it instead of a songwriter. Songwriters have their own awards. It was an insult.

@jamescoleakaericunderwood2503

@Samuel Ackah did they take too much for granted....
Perhaps got their signals crossed....
How FUCKING human of them ...
Dylan deserved it!

@antincornwall1552

@Samuel Ackah You are entitled to your opinion... misguided though you are.....

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