The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Shortly afterwards, Bob Dylan came to Toronto and recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour. The Band also worked with Dylan on the initial Blonde on Blonde sessions which, bar two tracks, were ultimately abandoned in favour of versions recorded with Nashville session musicians.
After a motorcycle accident in mid-1966, Dylan retreated from the public eye to his country house near Woodstock, New York. He was joined by the Band for some informal jam sessions starting in the autumn of 1967, nearly all of which were recorded. After being heavily bootleged, Columbia Records finally released The Basement Tapes in 1975, a selection of the better tracks recorded during the sessions along with new recordings by The Band.
Bob Dylan and The Band were reunited in 1974, recording Planet Waves for Asylum Records, Dylan's first album recorded for a record label other than Columbia. Although the album was released under Dylan's name alone, The Band joined Dylan for his first tour in eight years in support of Planet Waves, with some of the material recorded and released on the 1975 concert record Before the Flood.
Columbia Records finally released The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Basement Tapes Complete in November 2014, featuring every surving recording from the original sessions in Woodstock.
Folsom Prison Blues
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stucked in Folsom Prison and time keeps dragging on
And I hear that whistle blowing all down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my momma told me: son
Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
I bet there's rich folks eating in their fancy dining cars
They're probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
But I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But the people keep a-moving, and that's what tortures me
If they'd free me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
You bet I moved it on a little further down the line
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I long to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
The song Folsom Prison Blues by Bob Dylan and The Band is a classic tale of a prisoner's remorse and longing for freedom. The singer of the song is stuck in Folsom Prison, a notorious high-security prison in California, where he hasn't seen the sunshine for an unknown period. He hears the train passing by, taking people to San Antone, which makes him feel even more imprisoned. He shot a man in Reno, which he acknowledges was a mistake, but still, the guilt of his actions continues to haunt him. The chorus reveals his longing for freedom and the sound of the train gives him some hope that he might be able to escape the shackles of his past.
The lyrics of the song are immensely powerful, conveying a sense of hopelessness, guilt, and a longing for freedom. The first verse sets the mood of the song, with the singer hearing the sound of the train and longing to be a free man. The second verse reveals how he got imprisoned, with his mom warning him that playing with guns is not a good idea. The chorus repeats twice in the song, emphasizing the singer's desire to be free. The third verse contrasts the lives of the rich and the poor, with the singer acknowledging that he deserves to be imprisoned. In the final verse, he dreams of being far away from Folsom Prison, where he can be free from his past mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear that train a-rolling, it's a-rolling round the bend
I can hear the train coming closer to me, and it's moving steadily towards my location.
I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
It's been so long since I've had a glimpse of the sun, I can't even remember how long it's been.
I'm stucked in Folsom Prison and time keeps dragging on
I'm imprisoned in Folsom, and every minute feels like an eternity.
And I hear that whistle blowing all down to San Antone
The sound of the whistle is echoing all the way to San Antone, and it makes me feel like I'm never going to leave this place.
When I was just a baby my momma told me: son
As a child, my mother warned me
Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns
to always be on my best behavior and never get into trouble with weapons.
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
However, I disregarded her advice and killed a man in Reno out of pure curiosity and amusement.
When I hear that train a-pulling I hang my head and cry
Whenever I hear the sound of the train whistle, it reminds me of my tragic mistake, and I can't help but feel immense regret and sorrow.
I bet there's rich folks eating in their fancy dining cars
I imagine there are wealthy individuals enjoying lavish meals in their luxury train cars.
They're probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
I envision these individuals sipping coffee and smoking large cigars, indulging in a life of luxury.
But I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
I understand that I deserved to be imprisoned, and I know that I won't ever truly be free.
But the people keep a-moving, and that's what tortures me
Watching others go about their lives, while I'm stuck in this prison, is incredibly difficult for me to bear.
If they'd free me from this prison, if that railroad train was mine
If I were to be released from this prison and given my own train, I would use it to escape as far away from Folsom as possible.
You bet I moved it on a little further down the line
I would move as fast as I could, putting as much distance between myself and Folsom as possible.
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I long to stay
I desire to be as far away as possible from Folsom Prison, where I can live a life without the constant reminder of my mistakes.
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
I would listen to the sound of the train whistle and allow its mournful tone to drown out my troubles and sorrows.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@statmaneleven6096
Just bob and the band playing a legendary cash tune. No bigs😂
@jannordelius7464
superversion.....I couldnt stand still....haha
@irabrook
Great jam
@jackorion7157
Yay
@jessandjeff101
Yay yay
@Carlossantanamusicinc
Hello Dear, it’s nice meeting you on here!
@JorgeLMarquezsM
La voz y el bajo priman en mi escucha, como polos
@yamapenny5960
Grandios 🎵🎶👍
@areyashore
Way kool... fanks
@sandrawadsworth5173
👍❤️💯