2) Smith is also a D&B producer from Melbourne, Australia.
3) Smith makes beats for the soul. From Bristol, UK, having fun with I Hate Snakes! Records. Listen here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=363571696
The Weight
Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No!", was all he said.
(Chorus:)
Take a load off Annie, take a load for free;
I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around."
(Chorus)
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"
(Chorus)
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog."
I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."
(Chorus)
Catch a cannon ball now, t'take me down the line
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.
(Chorus)
The Weight by The Band, covered by Smith, is a complex narrative song that follows a traveller on his journey to Nazareth. The traveller is looking for a place to rest but is met with people along the way who all have their own burdens to bear. The chorus, "Take a load off Annie, take a load for free; take a load off Annie, and (and) (and) you can put the load right on me," is an offer of help from the singer.
The first verse sets the scene by highlighting how tired the traveller is and his desperate need for a place to sleep. The next verse introduces Carmen, who is walking with the Devil, suggesting she is a troubled character. But instead of joining her, the singer offers to take her friend, and the catchphrase of the song is repeated.
The third verse sees the introduction of Miss Moses, who is unable to help the situation faced by the character Luke. Lastly, Crazy Chester enters the narrative, and his offer of exchange is turned down by the singer. The song's final section is a repetition of the chorus, with the singer's bag full and him eager to return home.
Line by Line Meaning
I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead;
The singer arrived in Nazareth tired and in need of rest.
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
The singer is looking for a place to sleep.
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
The singer asks a stranger for a place to sleep.
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No!", was all he said.
The stranger refuses to help and leaves the artist on his own.
Take a load off Annie, take a load for free;
Annie can rest easy because the artist is willing to help.
Take a load off Annie, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.
The singer offers to help Annie with any burden she has.
I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;
The singer leaves to locate somewhere to stay.
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.
The artist encounters ominous signs in the area.
She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around."
Carmen proceeds on her way, but her companion stays with the artist.
Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
The artist encounters Miss Moses but her advice is unhelpful.
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
The singer encounters Luke who is waiting for the end of the world.
"Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"
Luke asks the artist to stay with Anna Lee.
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.
The singer is pursued by Crazy Chester in the fog.
"That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can."
Chester asks the singer to take care of his dog if he fixes his car.
Catch a cannon ball now, t'take me down the line
The singer needs to catch a train.
My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.
The artist's belongings are getting heavy, and it's time for him to leave.
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one.
The artist needs to return to Miss Fanny, a woman he knows.
Who sent me here with her regards for everyone.
Miss Fanny gave the singer her regards to deliver to everyone he met.
Contributed by Lucy V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
catman916
Smith was one of the best "cover" bands in the late 60s.
DealReal12
Silly boy they were much more than a paint by numbers cover band!
Rick Blackers
Peter Fonda has passed way today!!This is one of the most emblematic songs from Easy Rider soundtrack!
Mikey Smith
you
sandy sayers
So sadly missed
sandy sayers
😪😪
Eddie K
I agree..
javelin1010
RIP Gayle McCormick. Talented, gorgeous inside and out and gone way too soon.
bluesrocker79
I loved her too,when I was 8 years old. She was sooo pretty.
stripervince1
Fantastic singer and group. They had a great sound. Loved them since 69. Rip gayle