A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Rolling Thunder Revue Lyrics
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Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin'
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Oh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner's face is always well-hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" is a powerful protest song by Bob Dylan that was released in 1963. It is a symbol of the Cold War era and the looming threat of an atomic war between the then-superpowers, the US and the USSR. The song speaks to the fears and anxieties of people during this time, emphasizing the impact of a nuclear bomb on the world. The song highlights the different experiences of people during the era, with a particular emphasis on the loss of innocence and hope for the future.
The song begins with a series of questions directed at a young man, presumably a victim of the devastating nuclear war. The singer has traveled through different landscapes, including twelve misty mountains, six crooked highways, seven sad forests, and ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard, describing his journey as an arduous and challenging one. The last line of each verse repeats, emphasizing the difficulty of the journey and the impending danger.
The song then continues with the question of what the young man saw on his journey. The answer is a dark picture showing how the world has become corrupted, with violence and bloodshed. Dylan paints a terrifying picture of the world, with wild wolves surrounding a newborn child, a highway full of diamonds but nobody on it, a black branch dripping with blood, a room full of men with their hammers bleeding, and many other dreadful images.
The third verse talks about what the young man heard on his journey. The sounds of a thunderstorm that roars like a warning, the roar of a wave big enough to drown the world, people starving, and laughter all around, a poet dying in the gutter, and the sound of a clown crying in the alley- all these sounds leading to the realization of the inevitability of the hard rain that is about to fall.
The final verse speaks about what the young man plans to do now. He decides to go back out, walk to the depths of the forest, where people have empty hands, and there is nothing left, a place where hunger is ugly, and souls are forgotten, where black is the color, and nobody cares. He'll tell, think, speak, and breathe the message of the coming rain, standing on the mountain so all souls can see it, and he'll stand on the ocean until he sinks.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Addressing the son with concern and asking where he has been.
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I have experienced difficulty and hardship.
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I have struggled and persevered to get where I am.
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I have come across sorrow and despair.
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I have witnessed death and loss on a large scale.
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
I have faced death and darkness continually.
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
Emphasizing the difficulty of the situations faced.
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Anticipating more difficult times ahead.
Oh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Asking the son what he has seen on his journey.
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I have seen innocence threatened and in danger.
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I have seen a world of riches and beauty, yet it is empty and hollow.
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I have witnessed a cycle of violence and its bloody aftermath.
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
I have seen those doing hard labor and the toll it takes on them.
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I have seen attempts to reach heights of success and the struggles that come with it.
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I have seen people silenced and unable to express themselves.
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
I have seen the tragedy of war and its devastating impact on the innocent.
And what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
Asking the son what he has heard during his travels.
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin'
I have heard warnings about impending danger.
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
I have heard of great disasters that could impact everything.
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
I have witnessed poverty and hunger alongside those who are indifferent.
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
I have heard the struggles of those who are ignored and forgotten.
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
I have seen even those who seem carefree and funny struggle and experience pain.
Oh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Asking the son who he has met on his journey.
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I have met the vulnerable and innocent who have been met with tragedy.
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I have seen societal expectations and tensions embodied in the simplest things.
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I have seen the injustice and cruelty inflicted upon women.
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I have encountered those who bring beauty and joy to difficult situations.
I met one man who was wounded in love
I have seen the pain of heartbreak and failed romance.
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
I have seen the destructive force of hatred and prejudice in individuals.
And what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Asking the son what he will do next.
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
I will continue my journey before difficult times begin.
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
I will risk everything and venture into the unknown.
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
I will seek out the impoverished and offer them aid.
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
I will confront those who are polluting the environment and the impact it has on people.
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
I will confront those who are responsible for injustices and oppression.
Where the executioner's face is always well-hidden
I will seek justice where those in power hide behind a veil of secrecy and lies.
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
I will seek out those who suffer from poverty and do not have their basic needs met.
Where black is the color, where none is the number
I will confront systemic racism and those who are marginalized and ignored.
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
I will make sure the truth is heard and proclaimed.
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
I will make sure that everyone sees and understands the truth.
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
I will not cease standing for what is right even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
I will be confident in my beliefs and prepared to share them with others.
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
Reiterating that the journey and the work to bring about change will not be easy.
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall
Emphasizing that difficult and challenging times are ahead.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@triquerageorges9843
There is such an urgence and energy on this version of hard rain
And on this all tour in fact , rolling thunder
Dylan seems so aware and awake
Like if he could absorb the all word and energy
A little too speed of course with probably a little chemical help
But that was then …
So creative and his voice so powerful
He is a extra terrestrial to me
There specially
All his senses seemed to be 200/100 alert
And so beautifully strange with this painted face and his blue eyes
It is one of the great images of rock/ roll
Like jimmy Hendrix or Jim Morrison sometimes too
@seektruth8662
Dylan does covers of his own songs. Fantastic! Love ya Bob.
@RaxOldies
Yep...always !!!
@jonnymoka
He rather play it differently every time if I recall
@conorkennedy3304
He pretty much does. There is a buch of testomony that he did that in the studio all of the time. Think about classics like 4th-street and Rolling stone and remember that they were live in the studio with dubious preperation. That stuff was all one-off by large accounts.
@ricwheatley
“You wouldn’t ask an artist to paint the same picture twice” - Bob Dylan
@jarrettfinney4882
Its impossible to do a cover of your own song lol i do like this version a lot more tho. Just personally.
@kadebarry
The best version of one of Dylan's top tier songs. His voice is crystal clear and the words are daggers. I love that it is literally Rockin.
@bradhardisty1652
Mick Ronson was on that tour and he is weaving those guitar lines.
@littlewing6231
Love when Mick was asked how Bob was he quipped “ beats me he never talked to me.” I can see Bob “ so your a Spider from Mars huh”
🤭😎😆
@dominey
Dylan was on another planet during this time. He attacked songs from his repertoire (like this one) with a vocal intensity that was unusual and would never to be repeated.