I Shall Be Released
The Band Lyrics
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They say every distance is not near
So I remember every face
Of every man who put me here
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
They say every man needs protection
They say that every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
A man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shouting so loud
Just crying out that he was framed
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
The Band's song "I Shall Be Released" is a powerful and poignant expression of longing for freedom and an end to suffering. The opening lines, "They say everything can be replaced / They say every distance is not near / So I remember every face / Of every man who put me here," demonstrate the deep hurt that the singer has endured, as well as the persistence of memory in the face of hardship. The repetition of "They say" suggests that the singer is aware of the common wisdom surrounding loss and separation, but may not find solace in it.
The next verse speaks to the idea of protection, and how it can ultimately lead to destruction. "They say every man needs protection / They say that every man must fall / Yet I swear I see my reflection / Somewhere so high above this wall," the singer sings, emphasizing the contradictions and paradoxes of life. There is a hopefulness in the image of seeing oneself reflected higher than the wall that has confined them, but it is tinged with resignation and perhaps even despair.
The third verse brings in another voice - that of a man who insists he has been wrongfully incarcerated. He shouts and cries out for justice, but his voice is just one among many in a "lonely crowd." The final declaration of the chorus, that the singer shall be released "any day now," takes on an added significance in light of this. It becomes a rallying cry not just for the singer, but for all those who feel trapped or wronged.
Overall, "I Shall Be Released" is a moving testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity, and a reminder that even when hope seems distant, it is never truly lost.
Line by Line Meaning
They say everything can be replaced
It is said that everything can be replaced and someone new can take over an old role.
They say every distance is not near
It is said that distance is not just measured physically, but can also be emotional or mental.
So I remember every face
Therefore, I recollect every single face that I have encountered in my life.
Of every man who put me here
Of all the men who played a role in my placement in this situation.
I see my light come shining
I can see a bright light representing hope and liberation shining within me.
From the west down to the east
The light is spreading from the west to the east, filling me up completely.
Any day now, any day now
There may be a breakthrough or an ending to my current state very soon.
I shall be released
I will finally be free from my predicament and be able to move on.
They say every man needs protection
It is believed that every man needs protection or a safe space to thrive.
They say that every man must fall
It is also believed that at some point, every man has to suffer adversity and fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Despite this, I firmly believe that I can see a reflection of myself, either physically or metaphorically.
Somewhere so high above this wall
Somewhere beyond this obstacle or confinement that is preventing me from achieving my full potential.
Now, yonder stands a man in this lonely crowd
Over there stands an individual in this solitary multitude.
A man who swears he's not to blame
This man claims that he is guiltless and not responsible for his current state.
All day long I hear him shouting so loud
Every day, I can hear him shouting loudly, attempting to prove his innocence.
Just crying out that he was framed
He is yelling out that he has been falsely accused or set up.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind