Not Dark Yet
Shelby Lynne Allison Moorer Lyrics
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It's too hot to sleep and time is running away
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't let me heal
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Well my sense of humanity is going down the drain
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
She put down in writin' what was in her mind
I just don't see why I should even care
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Well I been to London and I been to gay Paree
I followed the river and I got to the sea
I've been down to the bottom of a whirlpool of lies
I ain't lookin' for nothin' in anyone's eyes
Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
I was born here and I'll die here, against my will
I know it looks like I'm movin' but I'm standin' still
Every nerve in my body is so naked and numb
I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from
Don't even hear the murmur of a prayer
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
In “Not Dark Yet,” Shelby Lynne sings about the overwhelming feeling of emotional and physical exhaustion. She describes how she has been awake all day, and despite the searing heat, she can't sleep. Her soul feels like it has turned into steel, and she carries the scars of past hurts that haven't yet healed. Lynne gives the impression of being trapped, saying that there isn't even room enough to be anywhere. She sings, "It's not dark yet, but it's getting there" - the day hasn't yet ended, but she can sense the darkness creeping closer.
Throughout the song, Lynne touches on the idea that pain is an intrinsic part of beauty. She sings, "Behind every beautiful thing, there's been some kind of pain." She talks about receiving a letter from someone who cared for her, but she can't seem to muster any emotions about it. She feels her "sense of humanity is going down the drain." Lynne's lyrics suggest that beauty is a façade that hides the pain underneath.
The final verse of the song emphasizes the feeling of being stuck. Lynne sings that she was "born here and [will] die here, against [her] will." She conveys the sense that she is going through the motions, that she wants to escape but can't. The song ends with Lynne saying that she has lost her sense of direction, that every nerve in her body is naked and numb, and she is adrift in a world she cannot escape.
Line by Line Meaning
Shadows are falling and I been here all day
The day is slowly coming to an end and I have been here all day.
It's too hot to sleep and time is running away
It is too hot to sleep and time seems to be moving quickly.
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I feel emotionally hardened and tough.
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't let me heal
I still have painful memories that I have not been able to move on from.
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
I feel confined and suffocated in my current situation.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Things may not be completely bleak yet, but they are getting there.
Well my sense of humanity is going down the drain
I am losing faith in the goodness of humanity.
Behind every beautiful thing, there's been some kind of pain
Nothing beautiful comes without some sort of sacrifice or struggle.
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
Someone expressed kindness to me through a letter.
She put down in writin' what was in her mind
She was honest and open with me in her letter.
I just don't see why I should even care
I am finding it difficult to care about anything.
Well I been to London and I been to gay Paree
I have traveled and seen different parts of the world.
I followed the river and I got to the sea
I have explored and discovered new things.
I've been down to the bottom of a whirlpool of lies
I have experienced being deceived and betrayed.
I ain't lookin' for nothin' in anyone's eyes
I am not seeking validation or approval from others.
Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear
My struggles and challenges can be overwhelming.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Things may not be completely bleak yet, but they are trending in that direction.
I was born here and I'll die here, against my will
I am stuck in a situation that I did not choose for myself.
I know it looks like I'm movin' but I'm standin' still
Although it may seem like I am making progress, I am actually stuck in the same place.
Every nerve in my body is so naked and numb
I feel exposed and vulnerable, yet emotionally disconnected.
I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from
I cannot recall what led me to my current situation.
Don't even hear the murmur of a prayer
I do not feel like anyone is listening or answering my prayers.
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Things may not be completely bleak yet, but they are headed in that direction.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Shadows are falling and I been here all day
It's too hot to sleep and time is running away
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't let me heal
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Well my sense of humanity is going down the drain
Behind every beautiful thing, there's been some kind of pain
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
She put down in writin' what was in her mind
I just don't see why I should even care
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
Well I been to London and I been to gay Paree
I followed the river and I got to the sea
I've been down to the bottom of a whirlpool of lies
I ain't lookin' for nothin' in anyone's eyes
Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
I was born here and I'll die here, against my will
I know it looks like I'm movin' but I'm standin' still
Every nerve in my body is so naked and numb
I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from
Don't even hear the murmur of a prayer
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there
William Knell
People that can't get past Bob's voice wind up missing an awful lot of amazing songwriting.
There's humor, dizzying trippy wordplay, beautiful imagery, the social commentary of his early troubadour period.
And soulful gems like this.
Just gorgeous.
Fleming Snopes
A masterful interpretation of a masterpiece.
MiamiPaul
Oh my. Where does one start? A classic case of less is more. The stripped down arrangement featuring a wonderfully pensive piano. Alternating brilliant lead vocals. And those sublime harmonies. It is always dangerous to cover a genius but these ladies did Bob proud. Simply magnificent.
mark direnna
Check out Jimmy LaFaves cover. He' a magnificent interpretor of Dylan's work. Sorrowfully he passed a few years ago. One of the finest voices ever. But this is spectacular.
Gregg Curry
Sublime is the right word. Stunning version of this diamond of a song.
Debbie Riffe
@mark direnna yes Jimmy Lafave's version is wonderful! I love everything Jimmy Lafave does. unfortunately I discovered him after he had passed away.
Connie Hahn
My favorite Dylan song ever....this version is just magic!....these ladies bring alot to numerous songs...gives new meaning to lyrics...❤❤...to Dylan and the sisters !
Debbie Riffe
@mark direnna His version of "just like a woman" is magic. I love just about everything Jimmy Lafave does. Too bad we lost him way too soon.
Jane Ferguson
I sing this song (their version) and I have listened to every recorded version I can find and NO ONE comes close to the pathos and raw emotion that Shelby and Allison do. It is gripping. Probably because of what they've both lived through, idk. At any rate their interpretation of Dylan is my favorite by far and put this song in my top 10 list of memorable impactful songs.
Diana Rhyne
Yes, their version of Dylan’s song, feels like they lived it.
Music was the legacy of their tragic family and their life raft.