Mr. Tambourine Man
Marmalade Lyrics


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Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I'm not sleepy and there ain't no place I'm going to
Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle-jangle morning I'll come following you

Take me for a trip upon your
Magic swirling ship
All my senses have been stripped
And my hands can't feel to grip
And my toes too numb to step
Waiting only for my boot heels to go wandering

I'm ready to go anywhere
I'm ready for today
Until I'm on parade
Cast your dancing spell my way
I promise to go wandering

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I'm not sleepy and there ain't no place I'm going to
Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle-jangle morning I'll come following you

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I'm not sleepy and there ain't no place I'm going to




Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
In the jingle-jangle morning I'll come following you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Marmalade’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” speak to the desire for escape and the search for inspiration. The singer calls out to the titular tambourine man, asking him to play a song that will transport him away from his current circumstances. The lyrics suggest that the singer is restless and searching for meaning in his life, unsure of where he wants to go but open to the possibilities. He is ready to be enchanted by the tambourine man’s music, which will “strip” his senses and take him on a journey where his “boot heels” can wander without a specific destination in mind.


The image of the “magic swirling ship” contributes to the dreamlike quality of the lyrics, as though the singer imagines himself floating in a sea of music and possibility. Dylan’s original lyrics have been interpreted in many ways, with some critics suggesting that the tambourine man represents a drug dealer offering the singer an escape from reality. However, Marmalade’s version is more straightforward in its depiction of the singer’s desire for transcendence.


Overall, the lyrics of “Mr. Tambourine Man” convey a sense of longing for something beyond the mundanity of everyday life. The singer is open to the transformative power of music, ready to follow wherever it may lead him.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
Entice me with your music and take me on a magical journey


I'm not sleepy and there ain't no place I'm going to
I am wide awake and have nowhere to be, so I am open to new experiences


In the jingle-jangle morning I'll come following you
I am excited to start a new adventure with you at the break of dawn


Take me for a trip upon your magic swirling ship
Take me on a captivating journey with your music


All my senses have been stripped
Your music has a profound effect on me and has put me in a trance


And my hands can't feel to grip
I am so affected by your music that I have lost feeling in my hands


And my toes too numb to step
Your music has left me so entranced that I cannot even move my feet


Waiting only for my boot heels to go wandering
I am eager to embark on a journey and am waiting for a chance to wander


I'm ready to go anywhere
I am open and willing to explore new places and experiences


I'm ready for today
I am in the present moment, ready to seize the day and adventure with you


Until I'm on parade
Until I am able to march forward and take action


Cast your dancing spell my way
Inspire me with your music and help me lose myself in the rhythm


I promise to go wandering
I swear to follow you wherever you take me, eager to explore and have new experiences




Contributed by Lillian M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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