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.
Tupelo
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail right around all the seven oceans
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey from the bee
You can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor bent on chivalry
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
You can't stop us on the road to freedom
You can't stop us 'cause our eyes can see
Men with insight, men in granite
Knights in armor intent on chivalry
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
You know she's alright, oh she's alright with me
You know, you know, you know she's alright, she alright with me
You know, you know, you know you know
You know she's alright, alright with me
She's alright, she's alright
She's alright with me
She's alright
She's alright with me
She's alright
She's alright with me
She's al, she's alright, she's alright
She's alright with me
She's alright, she's alright, she's alright, she's alright
You can take all the tea in China
Put it in a big brown bag for me
Sail it right around all these seven oceans
Drop it smack dab in the middle of the deep blue sea
Because, she's as sweet as Tupelo honey, yes she is
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like honey, baby, from the bee
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
She's an angel of the first degree
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
Just like the honey, from the bee
She's alright, she's alright with me
She's my baby, you know she's alright
She's my baby, she's my baby, she's alright
She's my baby
The song Tupelo by Bob Dylan and The Band is a love song that compares the sweetness of a woman to Tupelo honey. They begin the song by stating that the woman is as sweet as Tupelo honey and an angel of the first degree. Tupelo honey is known for being the sweetest honey in the world, and the lyrical comparison suggests that the woman is equally sweet and rare. The use of the symbol of honey suggests that the relationship is nourishing and fulfilling for both partners.
The song then shifts to a message of freedom and empowerment. The lyrics state that no one can stop the road to freedom and progress, and that men with insight and knights in armor are intent on chivalry. This suggests that the song is not just about a love relationship, but also about a larger sense of community and social justice. The repeated merge of the gratitude for the woman and the empowering message signifies that for the singer, the strength of the relationship and the belief in a better world go hand in hand.
While the lyrics of the song are open to interpretation, many view it as Dylan's tribute to the city of Tupelo, Mississippi, the birthplace of Elvis Presley. Other interpretations suggest it is about a woman named Tupelo or about the Civil Rights Movement, which had a significant presence in Mississippi. Nonetheless, the song remains a classic in Dylan's and The Band's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
You can take all the tea in China
It doesn't matter how much you offer, it won't be enough to satisfy me.
Put it in a big brown bag for me
I have no interest in the specifics of what you're offering, only that it's not enough.
Sail right around all the seven oceans
Even if you were to go to great lengths, it wouldn't change my mind.
Drop it straight into the deep blue sea
Your efforts would be wasted and futile, as I won't be swayed by material possessions.
She's as sweet as Tupelo honey
The woman I am describing is incredibly sweet and desirable, like Tupelo honey.
She's an angel of the first degree
She possesses a purity and goodness that is truly angelic and unmatched.
Just like honey from the bee
Like the sweet, natural product of a bee, this woman is a product of nature and just as sweet.
You can't stop us on the road to freedom
No one can impede us on our journey towards liberation and independence.
You can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see
We are wise and discerning, and cannot be restricted or contained by those who wish to do so.
Men with insight, men in granite
We are led by men who are strong and sturdy, with a great depth of wisdom and insight.
Knights in armor bent on chivalry
Our leaders uphold the code of chivalry, dedicated to honorable behavior and a selfless desire to serve others.
You know she's alright, oh she's alright with me
I have a deep affection and respect for this woman, and she is fully in my good graces.
She's al, she's alright, she's alright
This woman is more than just 'alright'- she is truly remarkable and holds a special place in my heart.
She's my baby, you know she's alright
I am in a deep and meaningful relationship with her, and she holds a special place in my life.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lisa Swift
He continues to be absolutely great
Raymond Mc
Oh my God! Stunning. Haven't heard it before but my it was worth waiting for.
asitis56
Hauntingly beautiful.
HelianaSuper
I didn't know this song with Bob. Great!😍😍🌻🌻
Bonnie Bumgartner
Love him so much!
bergsjo
What a voice
K e
Wow. Amazing.
SickoftheBS
Love Manuel holding ALL the cards.... Backwards! 😆
Manuela Tattini
Legend forever
gringo557
I think I love it! So what does anyone know about the footage?