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.
I'm Not There
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In my neighborhood she cries both day and night
I know it because I was there
It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
And she's daily salooning about to make her hard earned buck
I was there
I believe where she'd stop him if she wants time to care
And I'd go by the Lord and when she's on my way
But I don't belong there
No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to anybody
She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
She's a lone 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's don't calling no one
She's the way, her sailing beauty for she's mine for the one
And I lost her hesitating by temptation lest it runs
But she don't holler me but I'm not there, I'm gone
Now I'll cry tonight like I cried the night before
And I'm released on the heights in but I'll dream about the door
It's alone, she's forsaken by her fate, worse to tell
"It don't have approximation", she smiled, "Fare thee well"
Now when I?ll teach that 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 or slow
But I don't perceive her, I'm not there, I'm gone
Well, it's all about confusion and I cry for her
Well, I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
And it?s all affirmation I receive but it?s not
She's adorned by the beauty but she don't like the spot and she won't
Yes, she's gone like the rainbow that shined yesterday
But now she's home beside me and I'd like her here to stay
She's a lone forsaken beauty and it's don't trust anyone
I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone
Well, it's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave
It?s so bad but amusing when she's hard, too hard to leave
It?s a load, it?s a crime the way she haunt me around
But she told, ?won't you hate me?? but [Incomprehensible]
Yes, I believe that it?s rightful, oh, I believe it in my mind
I been told like I said when I before carry on the grind
And she's on yet she told her like I said, ?Carry on?
I wish I was there to help her but I'm not there, I'm gone
The lyrics to Bob Dylan and The Band's "I'm Not There" are complex and open to interpretation, but at their core, they seem to be about a woman who is struggling and the singer's inability to fully understand or help her. The woman is referred to as a "Christ-forsaken angel" and a "lone-hearted mystic," suggesting that she is unique and even otherworldly in some way. The singer wants to help her, but he feels disconnected from her and unable to fully enter her world. He also seems to struggle with his own feelings for her, describing her as both "mine" and "gone."
The song's lyrics are somewhat fragmented and disjointed, with repeated references to being "there" or "not there." This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the singer's sense of connectedness to the woman and to the world around him. The repetition of the phrase "she don't hear me cry" adds to the sense of disconnect and isolation. Overall, the song evokes a sense of melancholy and longing, with a tinge of frustration and resignation.
Line by Line Meaning
Thing's all right and she's all too tight
Despite her facade of being put together, she's struggling and upset.
In my neighborhood she cries both day and night
The singer is witnessing this woman's distress firsthand.
I know it because I was there
He is confirming that he truly witnessed and experienced the woman's pain.
It's a milestone but she's down on her luck
The woman has reached an important moment, but it's not bringing her any happiness or relief.
And she's daily salooning about to make her hard earned buck
She's working hard every day just to make money, but it's not enough to turn her life around.
I believe where she'd stop him if she wants time to care
The woman would take a break to care for herself if she truly could.
I believe that she'd look upon beside him to care
If she had someone to support her, she could take the time to care for herself.
And I'd go by the Lord and when she's on my way
The singer is willing to help her and cares for her, even if it's difficult.
But I don't belong there
However, he feels like he doesn't truly fit in this woman's life or world.
No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to anybody
The singer is claiming his independence and stating that he doesn't belong to anyone else's life.
She's my Christ forsaken angel but she don't hear me cry
He cares for her like an angel, but his pain and words go unheard by her.
She's a lone hearted mystic and she can't carry on
The woman is struggling to keep going on her own, and seems to be lost and mysterious.
When I'm there she's alright but then she's not when I'm gone
The woman seems to depend on the singer's presence for comfort and support.
Heaven knows that the answer, she's don't calling no one
Despite her pain and struggles, she's not asking anyone for help or support.
She's the way, her sailing beauty for she's mine for the one
The singer is drawn to her beauty and unique spirit, even though they may struggle to connect.
And I lost her hesitating by temptation lest it runs
He's worried that his fears or doubts about the woman will cause him to lose her.
But she don't holler me but I'm not there, I'm gone
Even though he cares for her deeply, he can't fully be present or there for her.
Now I'll cry tonight like I cried the night before
He's feeling a deep sense of sadness and mourning over his inability to be there for the woman.
And I'm released on the heights in but I'll dream about the door
He's feeling a sense of freedom or release, but still has unresolved feelings about the situation.
It's alone, she's forsaken by her fate, worse to tell
The woman is isolated and abandoned by her destiny, which is a difficult truth to accept.
"It don't have approximation", she smiled, "Fare thee well"
She seems resigned to her fate and bids farewell to the singer in a mysterious or ambiguous way.
Now when I?ll teach that lady I was born to love her
He feels like he has a lot to teach the woman he cares about.
But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her
However, she may feel like she's not able to reach what he wants for her and their relationship.
And I run but I race but it's not too fast or slow
He's putting in a lot of effort and energy, but it's not leading to any clear results or progress.
But I don't perceive her, I'm not there, I'm gone
He acknowledges that he's not fully present or able to connect with her, even though he wishes he could.
Well, it's all about confusion and I cry for her
He's feeling deeply confused and hurt by the situation with this woman.
Well, I don't need anybody now beside me to tell
He's feeling self-sufficient and resolved, not needing anyone else's input or advice.
And it?s all affirmation I receive but it?s not
Despite receiving support and comfort from others, he still feels unsatisfied or unfulfilled.
She's adorned by the beauty but she don't like the spot and she won't
The woman is beautiful and admired, but doesn't seem to like her own position or situation in life.
Yes, she's gone like the rainbow that shined yesterday
She seems to be a fleeting, ephemeral presence in his life like a rainbow that quickly fades away.
But now she's home beside me and I'd like her here to stay
When she's present and nearby, he feels happy and content, and wants her to stay in his life.
She's a lone forsaken beauty and it's don't trust anyone
Despite her beauty and allure, she seems to be isolated and cannot trust anyone around her.
I wish I was beside her but I'm not there, I'm gone
He wishes he could be there for her and fully present in her life, but he knows he can't.
Well, it's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave
His feelings and thoughts seem conflicted and difficult to reconcile.
It?s so bad but amusing when she's hard, too hard to leave
Even though she may be difficult to be around, he seems to find it amusing or entertaining in a strange way.
It?s a load, it?s a crime the way she haunt me around
He feels a heavy burden or guilt related to his interactions with this woman.
But she told, ?won't you hate me?? but [Incomprehensible]
There seems to be unfinished or unresolved communication between him and the woman.
Yes, I believe that it?s rightful, oh, I believe it in my mind
He feels strongly about the situation, even if the reasons why are not clear or rational.
I been told like I said when I before carry on the grind
He's been told or advised about how to approach the situation, but he's still struggling to find his way forward.
And she's on yet she told her like I said, ?Carry on?
The woman seems to be encouraging him to carry on and move forward, even if she's not fully involved or present in the situation.
I wish I was there to help her but I'm not there, I'm gone
Even though he wants to help and connect with this woman, he can't fully do so.
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@RepeatQuotations
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
@bryankeisling132
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
@BOBDYLANESPANOL
No estoy allí
I'm Not There
Bueno, está bien y entonces ella está todo el tiempo
Well it's alright and then she's all the time
En mi barrio lloraba tanto de día como de noche
In my neighbourhood she cried both day and night
Lo sé porque estaba allí
I know it cause it was there
Es un hito, pero ella ha caído en su suerte
It's a milestone but she down on her luck
Y el día la hace sola, pero para mí es difícil de desafiar
And the day makes her lonely but to me hard to buck
Yo creo
I believe
Creo donde ella se detiene donde quiere tiempo para preocuparse
I believe where she stopping where she wants time to care
Creo que ella se fijaría en decidir importarle
I believe that she'd look upon deciding to care
Y yo voy por el Señor en formas que ella está en mi camino
And i go by the lord in ways she's on my way
Pero yo no pertenezco allí
But i don't belong there
No, no le pertenezco
No i dont belong to her
No pertenezco a nadie
I don't belong to anybody
Es mi ángel predicho, pero no me oye llorar
She's my prize foresaken angel but she don't hear me cry
Es una amante de corazón largo
She's a long hearted mistress
Y no puede seguir adelante
And she can't carry on
Cuando estoy allí ella está bien, pero ella no está cuando yo no estoy
When im there she's alright but she's not when i am gone
Dios sabe que hay una respuesta
Heaven knows that there's an answer
No llama a nadie
She's not calling no one
Está navegando hermosa
She's away sailing beautiful
Ella es mía para la única
She's mine for the one
Y perdí su vacilación
And i lost her hesitation
Por la tentación menos corre
By temptation less it runs
Pero ella no me grita
But she don't holler me
Pero no estoy allí, me he ido
But i'm not there i am gone
Ahora he llorado esta noche
Now i've cried tonight
Como lloré la noche anterior
Like i cried the night before
Y me deleitaré con sus ojos
And i'll feast on her eyes
Pero sueño con la puerta
But i dream about the door
Hasta luego Jesús Salvador
So long jesus savior
La fe ciega donde el cuento?
Blind faith where the tale?
No cuelga la proclamación
It don't hang proclamation
Ella es mi propia muy lejos
She's my own far thee well
Ahora salí bajo el dique
Now i went out neath the levee
Nací para amarla
I was born to love her
Pero ella sabe que el reino
But she knows that the kingdom
Espera tan alto por encima de ella
Waits so high above her
Y corro pero corro
And i run but i race
Pero no es rápido un delgado?
But its not to fast a slim?
Pero no la engañaré
But i ll not deceive her
No estoy allí, me he ido
I'm not there i am gone
Bueno, todo se trata de confusión mientras lloro por su velo
Well it's all about confusion as i cry for her veil
No necesito a nadie ahora estar de mi lado para decirle
I don't need anybody now be side me to tell
Y es toda la información que puedo ver, pero no es
And it's all information i can see but it's not
Es una belleza solitaria pero se ha ido como el lugar
She's a lone hearted beauty but she's gone like the spot
Y ella quiere
And she wants
Sí, se ha ido como el arco iris que brillaba ayer
Yes she's gone like the rainbow that shining yesterday
Pero ahora ella es un hogar a mi lado y me gustaría aquí su estancia
But now she's a home beside me and i'd like to here her stay
Es una belleza fría y abandonada y no confía en nadie
She's a cold forsaken beauty and it don't trust anyone
Y desearía estar al lado, pero no estoy allí, me he ido
And i wish i was beside but i am not there i am gone
Bueno, es demasiado difícil de jugar en
Well its too hard to stake in
Y no me molesta
And i don't bother me
Todo es malo por abusar
It's all bad for abusing
Pero es difícil de irse
But she's hard too hard to leave
Es solo, es un crimen
It's alone it's a crime
La forma en que ella no va a estar
The way she wont be around
Pero ella dijo que me odiara
But she told for to hate me
Pero este largo payaso abandonado
But this long forsaken clown
Sí, creo que es justo
Yes i believe that it's rightful
Oh, lo creo en mi mente
Oh i believe it in my mind
Me han dicho como dije cuando antes sigo llorando
I've been told like i said when i before carry on the crying
Y ella está bien en contárselo
And she's all good to told her
Como dije, adelante
Like i said carry on
Me gustaría estar allí para ayudar
I wish i was there to help
Pero no estoy allí. Me fui
But i'm not there im gone
@juancamacho5746
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
@duncangriffiths4399
I live 6000 miles away from my family, have done so for years. My parents came to meet the new baby and we watched home movies, one of them was my baby sister making a home movie, looking around the house for me “where’s Duncan I want to film him” I missed her wedding because I’m so far away and it was a bad time of year. I broke down in tears and this was the only song on my mind. Don’t be gone, don’t be cool, don’t disappear into your own world. You only have one chance to be there. I know all the lyrics don’t line up with my story, but the emotions sure do.
@RepeatQuotations
I'm not there is the greatest song never written.
@dssvlogz4444
Agree that and like a rolling stone also Dylan😂
@T11639
One of his greatest ever songs, and it remains unheard by most casual fans. This is quite hypnotic.
@yousefmomtojachih1920
Couldn't agree more
@Fic1999
Unheard by most, unintelligible to the rest
@jennifs6868
@@Fic1999 the cryptic is the reason why i love this man as i do Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.
@kevinjoseph517
@@Fic1999 hence it took years to get the words down to copyright.
@blairdawson9506
Yes true statement it what it is
@joashtunison351
For me, this is number one, the ultimate Dylan song. Not many songs make weep every time I hear it. It speaks to a weary, frustrated soul. It's got to be on my very short list of favourite songs. Thanks,Bob, not sure you appreciate how great this one is.