Baby Blue
Bob and the Bearcats Lyrics
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But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out, the saints are comin' through
And it's all over now, baby blue
The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
The sky, too, is folding under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
Your empty-handed army is all going home
You lover who just walked out your door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor
The carpet, too, is moving under you
And it's all over now, baby blue
Leave your stepping stones behind now, something calls for you
Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore
Strike another match, go start anew
And it's all over now, baby blue
The song "Baby Blue" by Bob and the Bearcats is a poignant farewell to a lover who is leaving. The song's lyrics communicate a sense of urgency to gather what you need and leave quickly, as the singer's orphan stands with a gun, crying like a fire in the sun. The saints are coming through, which suggests that something dangerous or transformative is about to take place. The second verse describes a surreal scene where an empty-handed painter from the singer's streets is drawing crazy patterns on their sheets, and the sky is folding under them. The singer advises their lover to take what they have gathered from coincidence and to use their sense when navigating the highway full of gamblers.
In the third verse, the singer sings about their seasick sailors rowing home and their empty-handed army going home. Their lover has taken all his blankets from the floor, and the carpet is moving under the singer. The fourth and final verse provides the resolution, telling the singer to forget the dead they've left behind, and for a vagabond to strike another match and start anew. The clothes worn by the vagabond are the same clothes that the singer once wore.
Overall, "Baby Blue" is a song that explores themes of loss, change, and the impermanence of relationships. The lyrics utilize surreal imagery and poetic language to create a sense of urgency and transformation. The song's message suggests that it is sometimes necessary to let go of what we once held dear and start anew.
Line by Line Meaning
You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last
You have to depart now and take only that which you believe will stay with you.
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast
However, things that you may want to retain should be taken quickly.
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Over there, stands an abandoned child holding a firearm.
Crying like a fire in the sun
Sobbing bitterly like an unquenchable flame in the middle of the day.
Look out, the saints are comin' through
Watch out, the holy people are passing by.
And it's all over now, baby blue
It all comes to an end now, baby blue.
The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
The road is meant for risk-takers, it's wise to be careful.
Take what you have gathered from coincidence
Collect what you have learned from chance circumstances.
The empty-handed painter from your streets
The pauper painter who resides in your area.
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
Creating bizarre designs on your linens.
The sky, too, is folding under you
Even the sky is descending upon you.
And it's all over now, baby blue
It is all concluding now, baby blue.
All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
All of your ailing mariners are returning to their abode.
Your empty-handed army is all going home
Your destitute troops are all returning home.
You lover who just walked out your door
Your departed beloved who has left your dwelling.
Has taken all his blankets from the floor
He has taken all of his bedclothes from the ground.
The carpet, too, is moving under you
The rug is also trembling beneath you.
And it's all over now, baby blue
It has reached a conclusion now, baby blue.
Leave your stepping stones behind now, something calls for you
Abandon your progress markers, because something is beckoning you.
Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you
Do not bother about the deceased you have left behind, they won't pursue you.
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
The wanderer who is knocking on your front door.
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore
Is present in the attire you once donned.
Strike another match, go start anew
Light another match and begin afresh.
And it's all over now, baby blue
It has concluded now, baby blue.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind