Weight
The Band Lyrics


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I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' 'bout half past dead
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

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me (you put the load right on me)

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 my friend can stick around"

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me (you put the load right on me)

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day
Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?"

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me (you put the load right on me)

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?

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me (you put the load right on me)

Catch a cannon ball now to 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

Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free




Take a load off, Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me (you put the load right on me)

Overall Meaning

"The Weight" by The Band is a song that explores themes of responsibility and sacrifice, as well as the human connections that can be formed in difficult times. The song begins with the singer pulling into Nazareth, feeling exhausted and in need of rest. He asks a stranger for a place to stay, but the stranger cannot help him. Instead, he suggests that the singer "take a load off Fanny" and leave his burden with someone he can trust.


As the song progresses, the singer encounters a series of characters who are also struggling with their own problems. He meets Carmen and the Devil, Luke and Anna Lee, and Crazy Chester and his dog Jack. With each encounter, the singer is asked to take on a new responsibility, to "put the load right on me." Despite this burden, he remains committed to helping those in need, understanding that human connection and mutual support are essential for survival.


The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "take a load off Fanny" four times, is an example of a call-and-response style that was popular in gospel music. This blend of different musical influences, including rock, country, and gospel, was characteristic of The Band's sound and helped to distinguish them from other bands of the era.


Line by Line Meaning

I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' 'bout half past dead
I arrived in Nazareth, exhausted and in need of a break.


I just need some place where I can lay my head
I require a place to rest and recharge.


Hey, Mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?
Excuse me sir, do you know where a person can find a place to sleep?


He just grinned and shook my hand, "No," was all he said
He responded with a smile, shook my hand, and simply said 'No'.


Take a load off, Fanny
Relax, Fanny.


Take a load for free
Take a break without any cost.


And (and, and) you put the load right on me (you put the load right on me)
But, unfortunately, you have burdened me with your troubles.


I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide
I collected my belongings and sought out a place of refuge.


When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side
I witnessed Carmen and the Devil proceeding together.


She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around"
Carmen stated she had to leave, but her companion could remain.


Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
Miss Moses, you cannot do anything about this situation.


It's just ol' Luke and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day
It's only Luke who is eagerly anticipating Judgment Day.


He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Anna Lee company?"
Luke requested that I do him a favor and stay to keep Anna Lee company.


Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
Crazy Chester pursued me and intercepted me in the fog.


He said, "I will fix your rack, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
He offered to repair my vehicle rack if I could take care of his dog, Jack.


He said, that's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can?
He replied that it was not an issue and asked that I feed the dog when I am able to.


Catch a cannon ball now to take me down the line
I'll board a cannon ball to take me further down the rail line.


My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time
My bag is becoming too heavy and I think it's time to move on.


To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
It's time to return to Miss Fanny, as she's the only one I can count on.


Who sent me here with her, regards for everyone
She sent me here with her best wishes for everyone.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Robbie Robertson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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