Shelter From The Storm
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics


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'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
In a world of steel eyed death and men who are fighting to be warm
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
And the one eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation an' they gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine




If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Overall Meaning

The song ‘Shelter from the Storm’ by Cassandra Wilson is a lyrical masterpiece that expresses the hopelessness and struggle of life. The song describes the singer’s life in a past era where the world was full of chaos, death and pain. The singer, who is looking for shelter from the storm of life, meets a woman who offers him a place of peace and rest. The woman is presented as a savior, someone who understands the pain and suffering that the singer has gone through. The woman’s offer of shelter is presented as a place where the singer can find comfort and solace.


The song uses metaphors to convey its message. The ‘storm’ represents the challenges that life throws at us, while ‘shelter’ represents the safe space where we can take refuge. The song is both melancholic and hopeful. It acknowledges the pain and difficulties of life while offering a glimmer of hope that we can find a place of rest and peace. The lyrics are beautifully written, and the haunting melody only adds to its power. The song is a reminder to us that even in the midst of chaos and despair, there is always hope and the possibility of finding solace.


Line by Line Meaning

'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
In a past life filled with struggle and violence


When blackness was a virtue and the road was full of mud
When darkness was considered strength and the journey was treacherous


I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
I arrived from a wild place, without a defined shape or identity


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She invited me inside, offering protection from the chaos outside


And if I pass this way again, you can rest assured
If I return here, you can trust that I'll do my best


I'll always do my best for her, on that I give my word
I'll make a promise to always help her


In a world of steel eyed death and men who are fighting to be warm
In a world of danger and people struggling to survive


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered refuge and safety from the tumultuous world outside


Not a word was spoke between us, there was little risk involved
We didn't need to speak, it was safe and uncomplicated


Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Nothing had been concluded or finalized before this moment


Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
Imagine a place where it's always comfortable and secure


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She provided a haven from the chaos and turbulence


I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail
I was tired and depleted, battered by the elements


Poisoned in the bushes an' blown out on the trail
Affected by harmful forces and thrown off course


Hunted like a crocodile, ravaged in the corn
Pursued and attacked like a predator, devastated and broken


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered a respite from the violence and destruction


Suddenly I turned around and she was standin' there
I was surprised to see her appear out of nowhere


With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
Adorned with elegant jewelry and delicate blossoms


She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
She approached me with elegance and removed my symbol of pain


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered protection from the tumultuous world


Now there's a wall between us, somethin' there's been lost
Now there's a barrier between us, something has been broken or forgotten


I took too much for granted, got my signals crossed
I assumed too much and became confused


Just to think that it all began on a long-forgotten morn
To imagine that it all started on a distant morning


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered a haven from the confusion and disarray


Well, the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
The law enforcement officer walks on tough terrain and the religious leader rides a horse


But nothing really matters much, it's doom alone that counts
But nothing truly big matters, only fate is significant


And the one eyed undertaker, he blows a futile horn
The one-eyed funeral director plays a useless horn


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered refuge from the inevitable outcomes of life


I've heard newborn babies wailin' like a mournin' dove
I've heard babies cry for the first time, sounding like a mourning bird


And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
And elderly men with damaged teeth, alone and without affection


Do I understand your question, man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
Do I comprehend the inquiry, is it helpless and despairing?


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She promised a haven from the hopelessness and desperation


In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
In a small village on a hill, they gambled for my clothing


I bargained for salvation an' they gave me a lethal dose
I negotiated for redemption and was given a deadly amount


I offered up my innocence and got repaid with scorn
I sacrificed my purity and was instead met with ridicule


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered a place to be protected from the danger and harm


Well, I'm livin' in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
I'm living in a land that's not my own but I'm likely to break the rules


Beauty walks a razor's edge, someday I'll make it mine
Perfection is difficult to achieve, but someday I'll attain it


If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
If I could only go back in time to the beginning of the world and her birth


"Come in," she said, "I'll give you shelter from the storm"
She offered protection from the harsh elements of life




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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