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.
Roll on Train
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I paid my own way
I carried my own load
I never ask too much from no one
I was much too proud
All I ever wanted
Was to play my music for a sold out crowd
They say I had it all
6 foot 1
I walked around like I was 10 feet tall
Did you see me shine
Where the hell were you now
Detroit City back in '99
Stoned out of my mind
On that rock n' roll pain train
I had to slow things down
I live out in the woods now
It helps me keep my feet on the ground
Life's been good to me so far
Hope it's been kind to you
Stand strong in the storms of life
The sun will always shine on you
Now I've been rollin' on love and lust
I ride around on this million dollar bus
But this bus is just a bus man
I can't sleep at night
Man I miss my babies
And I'd really like to fuck my wife
But she ain't here tonight
On that rock n' roll pain train
After the lights go down
I live out in the woods now
It helps me keep my feet on the ground
Life's been good to me so far
Hope it's been kind to you
Stand strong in the storms of life
The sun will always shine on you
I've seen this train wreck
Time and time again
I felt It's pain
I've seen it take my friends
You've got to stop and take a look man
Or life will pass you by
Get you a guitar and a good song
That's all you really need to ride
On that rock n' roll pain train
I can't slow it down
The music and the whiskey
Don't it make you want to get loud
Life's been good to me so far
Hope It's been kind to you
Stand strong in the storms of life
The sun will always shine on you
The sun will always shine on you
The lyrics of "Roll on Train" by Bob Dylan and The Band delve deep into the life of a musician and his journey through life. The first verse talks about the struggles of being a solo artist and carrying one's own weight for years. The artist admits to being too proud to ask for help and all he wanted was to play his music to a sold-out crowd. The second verse talks about how others perceived him with fame, money, and everything he wanted. But, the singer goes on to address his audience and question their absence during his years of struggle. He goes on to say that he was living life to the fullest in Detroit City back in '99 but had to slow things down eventually for clarity.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of staying grounded in life and life's goodness, and it will always shine through. The singer reminisces about his past experiences with the rock-and-roll pain train, which is a metaphor for life's ups and downs. In the final stanza, the singer advises aspiring musicians to take a step back and take a look at life. Essentially, all one needs in life is a guitar and a good song to ride through the pain and triumphs.
Line by Line Meaning
15 years on this lonely road
I've been on this road by myself for the past 15 years.
I paid my own way
I didn't take any handouts, I made my own money.
I carried my own load
I didn't rely on anyone else to do the work for me.
I never ask too much from no one
I never expected anyone to do more than I was willing to do for myself.
I was much too proud
I had too much pride to ask for help, even when I needed it.
All I ever wanted
The only thing I ever really wanted was to play my music for a sold-out crowd.
Was to play my music for a sold out crowd
I wanted to share my music with as many people as possible, to see them all enjoying it.
Bitches money fame
I didn't care about women or money or fame, I just wanted to make music.
They say I had it all
Some people thought I had everything they could ever want.
6 foot 1
I'm a tall guy- 6 foot 1 inch.
I walked around like I was 10 feet tall
I carried myself with confidence, even when I didn't feel it inside.
Did you see me shine
Did you ever see me perform at my best?
Where the hell were you now
Where were you when I was struggling, back in the day?
Detroit City back in '99
I was in Detroit in 1999, trying to make a name for myself.
Stoned out of my mind
I was heavily using drugs at the time.
On that rock n' roll pain train
The lifestyle of a rockstar is tiring and often painful.
I had to slow things down
I eventually had to take a step back and slow down my pace of life.
I live out in the woods now
I now live in a quiet place surrounded by nature.
It helps me keep my feet on the ground
Being in nature reminds me to stay humble and rooted.
Life's been good to me so far
Overall, my life has been pretty great up until now.
Hope it's been kind to you
I hope life has been kind to you too, my friend.
Stand strong in the storms of life
Stay strong during the difficult times.
The sun will always shine on you
No matter what, there is always something positive to focus on.
I've been rollin' on love and lust
Recently, I've been driven by my romantic relationships and desires.
I ride around on this million dollar bus
I now travel in luxury.
But this bus is just a bus man
Despite the luxury, it's important to remember that this is just a form of transportation.
I can't sleep at night
I have trouble sleeping because of my busy lifestyle.
Man I miss my babies
I miss my family and children, who I don't get to see often.
And I'd really like to fuck my wife
I have sexual desires that aren't always easily satisfied.
But she ain't here tonight
Unfortunately, my wife is not with me at the moment.
After the lights go down
After the show is over and the stage lights are turned off.
I've seen this train wreck
I've seen firsthand the dangerous and destructive nature of the rockstar lifestyle.
Time and time again
Over and over again.
I felt It's pain
I've experienced the pain that comes with the lifestyle, both physically and emotionally.
I've seen it take my friends
Many of my friends in the industry have suffered from the hard lifestyle too.
You've got to stop and take a look man
You have to take a step back and evaluate your life.
Or life will pass you by
If you don't take time to reflect, you'll miss out on living life to the fullest.
Get you a guitar and a good song
All you really need to make great music is a guitar and a strong message in your song.
That's all you really need to ride
Having a talent and direction will help you ride the train to success.
The music and the whiskey
Music and alcohol often go together in the rock n roll lifestyle.
Don't it make you want to get loud
Doesn't it make you want to turn up the volume and let loose?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: R.J. RITCHIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bryankeisling132
Lyrics:
Doctor, doctor tell me the time of day
Another bottle's empty, another penny spent
He turned around and he slowly walked away
They shot him in the back and down he went
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
From the Liverpool docks to the red-light Hamburg streets
Down in the quarry with the Quarry men
Playing to the big crowds, playing to the cheap seats
Another day in the life on your way to your journey's end
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Sailin' through the trade winds bound for the south
Rags on your back just like any other slave
They tied your hands and they clamped your mouth
Wasn't no way out of that deep dark cave
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
I heard the news today, oh boy
They hauled your ship up on the shore
Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy
They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Put on your bags and get 'em packed
Leave right now, you won't be far from wrong
The sooner you go the quicker you'll be back
You've been cooped up on an island far too long
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Slow down you're moving way too fast
Come together right now over me
Your bones are weary, you're about to breathe your last
Lord, you know how hard that it can be
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Roll on, John, roll through the rain and snow
Take the right-hand road and go where the buffalo roam
They'll trap you in an ambush before you know
Too late now to sail back home
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Tyger, tyger burning bright
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
In the forests of the night
Cover 'em over and let him sleep
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
@janzijlstra943
Doctor, doctor tell me the time of day
Another bottle's empty, another penny spent
He turned around and he slowly walked away
They shot him in the back and down he went
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
From the Liverpool docks to the red-light Hamburg streets
Down in the quarry with the Quarry men
Playing to the big crowds, playing to the cheap seats
Another day in the life on your way to your journey's end
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Sailin' through the trade winds bound for the south
Rags on your back just like any other slave
They tied your hands and they clamped your mouth
Wasn't no way out of that deep dark cave
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
I heard the news today, oh boy
They hauled your ship up on the shore
Now the city gone dark, there is no more joy
They tore the heart right out and cut him to the core
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Put on your bags and get 'em packed
Leave right now, you won't be far from wrong
The sooner you go the quicker you'll be back
You've been cooped up on an island far too long
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Slow down you're moving way too fast
Come together right now over me
Your bones are weary, you're about to breathe your last
Lord, you know how hard that it can be
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Roll on, John, roll through the rain and snow
Take the right-hand road and go where the buffalo roam
They'll trap you in an ambush before you know
Too late now to sail back home
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
Tyger, tyger burning bright
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
In the forests of the night
Cover 'em over and let him sleep
Shine your light
Movin' on
You burned so bright
Roll on, John
@Pensfold
Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
The Tyger
William Blake - 1757-1827
John Lennon would have had to learn this poem in his first year at Grammar School like many of us. Maybe Dylan too.
@HelianaSuper
Pure emotion... A tribute of a great poet Dylan to another great poet, Jonh Lennon. My God... Oh my heart...
@Ad-Ac
Yes the song is great, however, I'd argue whether it's really a tribute. I see it more as a song about Lennon, and his difficult life. One guy wrote an article on a website, and here's one part of it: "Roll On John isn't a sad song about a friend that died. And it's not a sonic fist-bump from one icon to another. It's Dylan acknowledging that Lennon has become legend—another mythic character to populate his songs."
@HelianaSuper
@@Ad-Ac Hello, William. When i read the lyrics I thought this also... But we can consider the two or more... versions. The important this history is Jonh is a true brithly Light like Dylan...
@Ad-Ac
@@HelianaSuper Yes, I just wanted to share my view on this song. I've been trying to understand it for a long time now, and I still get confused in some parts... ;-)
@HelianaSuper
@@Ad-Ac I know... I have reading about it. Some parts of the lyrics is about another situation... But the chorus say all: brith, Jonh!
@Ad-Ac
@@HelianaSuper "In Roll on John Dylan looks at Lennon as a myth more than a man. The musician once compared himself to Jesus Christ and Dylan takes it a step further by lionizing him in song, pushing him towards a mythic status of sorts. Though some of the lyrics directly reference Lennon’s life, much of the song is ripe for interpretation. The men weren’t close friends by any means, but there are very few people who loom close to Dylan in terms of their impact on popular music. Though the song may ramble over seven minutes, there is something entrancing about Dylan’s meanderings, especially when the words 'I heard the news today, oh boy' cut through the cryptic text like a bright beacon." - David Harris, found on the internet!
@louiseluna4024
Sung from Dylan's heart for John Lennon, our light....he was so bright! Bless you wherever you may be!
@Carlossantanamusicinc
Hello Dear, it’s nice meeting you on here!
@louiseluna4024
@@Carlossantanamusicinc Thank you kindly. Hope all is good and understood. Luna
@Carlossantanamusicinc
@@louiseluna4024 Yes all is well thanks 🙏🏽.. So have you ever been to our concerts?