Among those featured in the Revue were Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Rambling Jack Elliott, Kinky Friedman, Joni Mitchell and Bob Neuwirth. Neuwirth assembled the backing musicians, including T-Bone Burnett, Mick Ronson, and David Mansfield, and, from the Desire sessions, violinist Scarlet Rivera, bassist Rob Stoner, and drummer Howie Wyeth.
URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Thunder_Revue
I Shall Be Released
Bob Dylan & The Rolling Thunder Revue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yet every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say every man must fall
But I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Yonder down here in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he's been framed
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
In the song I Shall Be Released by Bob Dylan and The Rolling Thunder Revue, the lyrics indicate a sense of hope and redemption as the singer declares that they will soon be released from their troubles. The lyrics suggest that although everything can be replaced, some distances cannot be bridged. The singer recalls every face of the people who have caused him/her to be where they are now. This can mean the people in his/her life who have hurt them or the systemic issues that have kept them from reaching their goals.
The following stanza talks about the idea of every man needing protection and falling, but still being able to see their reflection high above the wall that surrounds them. This references a prison or some other kind of confinement. The singer sees their light shining from the west to the east, which could be a metaphor for the singer’s hope and how they believe that one day they will be released from their confinement.
The final stanza recalls another person who is also going through difficult times, shouting out that they’ve been framed. This emphasizes the idea of wrongful imprisonment and the injustices that can be present in society. The chorus repeats that the singer will be released, emphasizing the message of hope and redemption in the song.
Line by Line Meaning
They say everything can be replaced
The world is full of options and alternatives that can fulfill our needs and wants.
Yet every distance is not near
Not all things that we desire or need are easily accessible, despite the abundance of choices.
So I remember every face
Each person and event that made an impact in one's life is firmly ingrained in their memory.
Of every man who put me here
However, one also remembers those who have caused them pain and struggle, even if indirectly.
I see my light come shining
There is hope and positivity radiating from within despite the current situation.
From the west unto the east
This light shines across all directions and knows no bounds.
Any day now, any day now
The release from struggle and pain could happen at any moment.
I shall be released
The figurative chains that have been binding one's soul and mind will soon be broken.
They say every man needs protection
Society expects individuals to be vigilant and guard themselves against various dangers.
They say every man must fall
However, obstacles are inevitable and everyone will eventually face hardship and failure.
But I swear I see my reflection
Despite this, one finds their own reflection amidst the chaos and learns from their experiences.
Some place so high above this wall
This reflection shows one the way out of their struggles and allows them to rise above their challenges.
Yonder down here in this lonely crowd
Although there are many people around, one still feels isolated and alone in their struggles.
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
Others may try to place the blame on someone else, but the truth will eventually come to light.
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Even in the midst of struggle, one may hear others proclaim their innocence and demand the truth.
Crying out that he's been framed
Someone may be falsely accused, further compounding their struggles and pain.
Any day now, any day now
Despite this, there is still hope that the barriers will soon be lifted.
I shall be released
The pain and struggle will soon come to an end, and one will be free from their figurative chains.
Any day now, any day now
The constant reminder and reassurance that the end is near.
I shall be released
The end of the pain and struggle is inevitable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kirstenlogan5175
They say everything can be replaced
They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
A man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shouting so loud
Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
@terrycater4716
Bob Dylan, what can you say that hasn’t already been said. Also I don’t think anyone could even find the words to describe what an influential figure he has been, and obviously I can only speak for myself, but Bob has been there throughout every stage of my life, I was born in 1964 and every event that I have gone through, early teens, girlfriends, marriage, children, divorce, and now just life, losing my mum almost a year ago now, there has always been a song that I could turn to that had the words to make it better. For me he is the greatest songwriter and singer my dad and my generation have had, man we have been so lucky because it was all real. Real musicians , real singers the sound that came from those fingers, and the songs from that voice, you can’t press a button in the studio and make music like that, you got what came out and that was the track, I’m not saying they didn’t have 4 or 5 takes, they did. But I can tell you one thing I never heard Bob Dylan sing a song the same way twice. So I’m going to finish with this, Don’t think twice it’s alright.
@42awww
What an amazing rendition! Dylan has never played the same song twice. And of the many, countless changes in his voice and musical style, I have come to think that this series and the Desire-Hard Rain period, is my favourite. Maybe because it's newer to me, having played out all his albums then CD's, just to hear the many splendours of knowing of this man and all the great gifts he gave to us.
@elizabethmciaglo6137
This has been a song which kept me going through so many troubles in my life. Thank You, Bob Dylan, this song salvaged my spirit, mind, heart and soul.🕊️💘🥹 Keep Shining!🌞 Always with God's Angels 👼😇🌌🌠
@kirstenlogan5175
They say everything can be replaced
They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
A man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shouting so loud
Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
@jg5887
can we just appreciate that gorgeous instrumental. and then at 2:19 that transition into the little solo. god this song is perfection.
@carlprice5083
In 2004 my boss bought me this 2cd set for my b-day. It might be the best gift anyone has or will have given me. There’s something special about these live recordings. I think the musicians are playing as good as anyone ever, but there’s something else going on and it’s probably Bob Dylan.
@malemsaid6699
One of the best everlasting compositions of all time
@robertfields5168
This is the version of the song that has about everything in it I was searching for. Plus a great slide guitar. Awesome!
@kbbluesgreens74
Great song and rendition
@maggiebryan2355
Love this