It Ain't Me Babe
Johnny Cash Feat. June Carter Lyrics
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Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'll only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who'll promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone to die for you and more
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
You say you're lookin' for someone
To pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
And to come each time you call
And will love you for your life
And nothin' more
But it ain't me babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
"It Ain't Me Babe" is a song by Bob Dylan, but this interpretation deals with the Johnny Cash cover. The song is written from the perspective of a person who tries to convince someone that they are not suitable for a romantic relationship. The singer continuously rejects the other person’s advances and insists on their unsuitability, even though the other person perceives them as a potential partner.
The lyrics suggest that the other person is looking for someone strong and protective, someone who will always be there for them and love them unconditionally. However, the singer keeps declining the offer, stating that they are not the right fit for the other person. The singer repeats the phrase “It ain’t me, babe” several times throughout the song, which serves as a way of rejecting the relationship proposal.
Overall, the song is a portrayal of a person who knows what they don’t want in their life, despite the other person’s persistent offers. The song can be interpreted in many ways, possibly as a representation of Dylan’s dissatisfaction with the expectations that his audience placed on him. Alternatively, the song could be viewed as a rejection of a societal norm, where people seem to expect romantic relationships from others, even when the other party is not interested.
Line by Line Meaning
Go away from my window
Leave my presence and don't come back
Leave at your own chosen speed
Depart from here however fast or slow you want
I'm not the one you want, babe
I am not the person you desire
I'm not the one you need
I am not the person you require
You say you're lookin' for someone
You claim to be searching for a person
Who's never weak but always strong
Someone who is always resilient and tough
To protect you and defend you
To safeguard and shield you from harm
Whether you are right or wrong
Regardless of whether you are correct or mistaken
Someone to open each and every door
A person to open all the doors for you
But it ain't me babe
I am not that person
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
Absolutely not me, my dear
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
You are searching for someone else, not me
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Don't put too much weight on the edge, dear
Go lightly on the ground
Walk gently on the earth
I'll only let you down
I will disappoint you
Who'll promise never to part
Someone who vows never to leave you
Someone to close his eyes for you
A person who will shut their eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
A person who will shut their heart to all others
Someone to die for you and more
A person who will go so far as to die for you
You say you're lookin' for someone
You continue to insist that you're searching for a person
To pick you up each time you fall
To help you up every time you stumble
To gather flowers constantly
To continuously collect flowers for you
And to come each time you call
And always answer your beck and call
And will love you for your life
And will love you throughout your lifetime
And nothin' more
But nothing beyond that
It ain't me babe
That person you are searching for is not me
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
I am certain it is not me
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe
You are not seeking me, darling
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sadiesue8069
Go 'way from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I'm not the one you want, babe
I'm not the one you need
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who's never weak but always strong
To protect you an' defend you
Whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Go lightly from the ledge, babe
Go lightly on the ground
I'm not the one you want, babe
I will only let you down
You say you're lookin' for someone
Who will promise never to part
Someone to close his eyes for you
Someone to close his heart
Someone who will die for you an' more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
Go melt back in the night
Everything inside is made of stone
There's nothing in here moving
An' anyway I'm not alone
You say you're looking for someone
Who'll pick you up each time you fall
To gather flowers constantly
An' to come each time you call
A lover for your life an' nothing more
But it ain't me, babe
No, no, no, it ain't me, babe
It ain't me you're lookin' for, babe.
@GeorgeVreelandHill
RIP Country Music. You will never be the same without Johnny and June Cash.
@RoachDogg_JR
Gospel*
@aquaflow1264
UpChurch lol
@poussinmoumoute
country died with them
@Bruningable
"...leave at your own chosen speed". The most badass line written in music history.
@11ellie7
thank bob dylan
@thalassafischer5211
Yeah it makes me wonder if Dylan was being "nice" or a part of him didn't want Joan Baez to leave, that line. Because if she loves him and she leaves at her own chosen speed...she could still hang around...
@elvispresleyandjohnnycash691
Bruningable Bob Dylan wrote some pretty good songs!
@Anonymous-Joker74
11ellie7 I first heard this in Blow,Johnny Depp.Sang Dylan's version to it.👀💥👌🏽 superb.Fave Dylan song is the hurricane
@christinash2235
Thank Bob Dylan for that, he was talking gently to a woman he was still in love with, this version is harsh and awful even listening to it I feel sorry for June Carter Cash.