After the Beatles stopped touring in 1966, George started writing more songs than could be fitted onto the albums so that by the time of the split he had built up a collection of songs, some used on his debut solo album, All Things Must Pass. The album, released in 1970, contains the two-time number one hit, "My Sweet Lord".
Harrison is also credited for creating music benefits, notably the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. Harrison played beside Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Leon Russell to a crowd of 40,000 in Madison Square Garden, New York. The show raised over $240,000 benefiting the George Harrison Fund for Bangladesh relief.
Harrison went on to release several successful solo albums, and in the late 1980s collaborated with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, in a group called Traveling Wilburys. The group released two albums. Later, Harrison reunited with the other two surviving Beatles, after John Lennon's murder in 1980, to produce two final Beatles records, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love" featuring the voice of Lennon, taken from home demos provided by Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. The three Beatles also co-wrote a massive autobiography and television special, both titled "The Beatles Anthology."
Before his death, Harrison conceived of a Cirque du Soleil show, "Love," featuring remixes of Beatles music which were overseen by Beatles producer George Martin.
Harrison died on November 29, 2001 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a wife and son, Olivia and Dhani Harrison. His last album, Brainwashed, was released posthumously and featured the single "Any Road".
A benefit concert in Harrison's memory was played on 29 November 2002 at the Royal Albert Hall. The star-studded event (featuring Eric Clapton and Monty Python, as well as former band mates Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr) was released on the DVD double-album, Concert for George.
Absolutely Sweet Marie
George Harrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes it gets so hard, you see
I'm just sitting here beating on my trumpet
With all these promises you left for me
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
Well, I waited for you when I was half sick
Yes, I waited for you when you hated me
When you knew I had some other place to be
Now, where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
Well, anybody can be just like me, obviously
But then, now again, not too many can be like you, fortunately.
Well, six white horses that you did promise
Were fin'lly delivered down to the penitentiary
But to live outside the law, you must be honest
I know you always say that you agree
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
Well, I don't know how it happened
But the river-boat captain, he knows my fate
But ev'rybody else, even yourself
They're just gonna have to wait.
Well, I got the fever down in my pockets
The Persian drunkard, he follows me
Yes, I can take him to your house but I can't unlock it
You see, you forgot to leave me with the key
Oh, where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
Now, I been in jail when all my mail showed
That a man can't give his address out to bad company
And now I stand here lookin' at your yellow railroad
In the ruins of your balcony
Wond'ring where you are tonight, sweet Marie.
The first verse of Absolutely Sweet Marie by George Harrison seems to communicate a sense of frustration and longing for someone who has not lived up to their promises. The image of a railroad gate suggests an obstacle that cannot be overcome, and the singer's inability to jump it emphasizes his sense of helplessness. The repetition of the question "where are you tonight, sweet Marie?" adds to the feeling of desperation, while the singer's claim that he is "beating on my trumpet" suggests that music is an outlet for his emotions.
The second verse provides more context for the singer's feelings, as he recounts his previous experiences waiting for Marie. He waited for her when he was sick and when she hated him, suggesting that his devotion is not easily shaken. The image of "frozen traffic" creates a vivid picture of his patience and determination, while the repetition of the question "where are you tonight, sweet Marie?" reminds us that his efforts have so far been unrewarded.
The final verse introduces new characters and images that add to the mystique of the song. The mention of "six white horses" promised to someone in jail creates a sense of intrigue, while the line "to live outside the law, you must be honest" hints at a deeper meaning. The mention of the "Persian drunkard" and the "ruins of your balcony" create a sense of mystery and loss, while the final repetition of the question "where are you tonight, sweet Marie?" leaves us uncertain of the singer's fate.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, your railroad gate, you know I just can't jump it
I am unable to overcome the obstacles that are keeping me away from you.
Sometimes it gets so hard, you see
Dealing with these challenges is becoming increasingly difficult.
I'm just sitting here beating on my trumpet
I am feeling restless and frustrated, taking it out on my instrument.
With all these promises you left for me
You have made me many promises, but have not kept them.
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
I am wondering where you are and why you are not with me.
Well, I waited for you when I was half sick
Despite feeling sick, I waited for you.
Yes, I waited for you when you hated me
Even when you disliked me, I still waited for you.
Well, I waited for you inside of the frozen traffic
I waited for you in difficult circumstances and even when I had other things to do.
When you knew I had some other place to be
You were aware that I had other commitments, but still did not show up.
Now, where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
I am asking where you are and why you are not here.
Well, anybody can be just like me, obviously
It is easy to be me.
But then, now again, not too many can be like you, fortunately.
You are unique and special, and not many can be like you.
Well, six white horses that you did promise
You made a promise to deliver six horses.
Were fin'lly delivered down to the penitentiary
The horses were eventually delivered to the prison.
But to live outside the law, you must be honest
You must be truthful if you want to live outside the law.
I know you always say that you agree
You claim that you agree, but I am unsure if you actually do.
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
I am still wondering where you are and why you are not here.
Well, I don't know how it happened
I am not sure how things have ended up this way.
But the river-boat captain, he knows my fate
I do not control my own destiny, others have power over me.
But ev'rybody else, even yourself
Other people, including you, are unable to predict or control my fate.
They're just gonna have to wait.
Everyone will just have to wait and see what happens.
Well, I got the fever down in my pockets
I am feeling emotional and have a sense of urgency.
The Persian drunkard, he follows me
I am being pursued by someone who is irrational and unpredictable.
Yes, I can take him to your house but I can't unlock it
I can bring him to where you are, but I am unable to open the door.
You see, you forgot to leave me with the key
You did not give me the resources or information necessary to solve this problem.
Oh, where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
Once again, I am left wondering where you are and why you are not here with me.
Now, I been in jail when all my mail showed
Even while I was in prison, I received correspondence from you.
That a man can't give his address out to bad company
I learned that I should be cautious about sharing my contact information with the wrong people.
And now I stand here lookin' at your yellow railroad
I am standing here, observing the remnants of something that once connected us.
In the ruins of your balcony
I am here in a place where our relationship used to exist.
Wond'ring where you are tonight, sweet Marie.
I am once again left wondering where you are and why you are not here with me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abhishek Talukder Euphony and Euphoria
Well, your railroad gate, you know I just can't jump it
Sometimes it gets so hard, you see
I'm just sitting here, beating on my trumpet
With all these promises you left for me
But where are you tonight, Sweet Marie?
Well, I waited for you when I was a-half sick
Yes, I waited for you when you hated me
Well, I waited for you inside of the frozen traffic
When you knew I had some other place to be
Now, where are you tonight, Sweet Marie?
Well, anybody can be just like me, obviously
But then, now again, not too many can be like you, fortunately
Well, six white horses that you did promise
Were finally delivered down to the penitentiary
But to live outside the law, you must be honest
I know you always say that you agree
Alright, so where are you tonight, Sweet Marie?
Well, I don't know how it happened
But the river-boat captain, he knows my fate
But everybody else, even yourself
They're just gonna have to wait
Well, I got the fever down in my pockets
The Persian drunkard, he follows me
Yes, I can take him to your house, but I can't unlock it
You see, you forgot to leave me with the key
Ah, where are you tonight, Sweet Marie?
Well, I've been in jail, where all the mail showed
That a man can't give his address out to bad company
And now I stand here, lookin' at your yellow railroad
In the ruins of your balcony
Wondering where you are tonight, Sweet Marie
Jill Schoenfeld White
My favorite version of Sweet Marie - am appreciating George's career after The Beatles and his performances with Bob Dylan thanks to YouTube. Love watching the Travelling Wilburys videos - they were the TRUE Supergroup of all time.
H MM
This is my new favorite video. I wish George had recorded more songs like this. I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately, thinking how much I miss this brilliant, thoughtful man.
H MM
@Mauro del Mar Thanks. I think I have all of them. I just hadn’t seen this video before I commented. Great collaboration though.
Mauro del Mar
he has done a couple more of songs of dylan, look for them, they are great versions
Tubemanjac
Anything Paul can do i.... 🎵
fshoaps
George Harrison lives on in his music and, beautiful lyrics. Not to mention being one of the greatest influences of any kid who picks up a guitar.
Chebss
Brilliant version, brilliant George.
ALove4evr
Absolutely Sweet George! He's so in his element with this song. ❤️
Bernhard Segerer
George was such a sincere and humble fan - he rocked it out for Bob with more conviction and fun than he would do for some of his own (great!) material. Another example is the Perkins tribute.
Gaspare Giulio
Great version of a great song from a great artist.