I Shall Be Released
The Rolling Thunder Revue Lyrics
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Yet 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 unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
They say every man needs protection
They say every man must fall
But I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Yonder down here in this lonely crowd
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he's been framed
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
The lyrics of The Rolling Thunder Revue's song I Shall Be Released are evocative and profound, conveying a deep sense of longing for freedom and release. The opening lines of the song, "They say everything can be replaced / Yet every distance is not near," suggest a sense of disillusionment and heartbreak, with the singer acknowledging that while material things can be replaced, the emotional and physical distance they feel from their captors cannot.
The song continues with the singer remembering the faces of the men who put them in their current situation, suggesting a deep sense of anger and resentment towards those who have imprisoned them. However, the singer also sees a glimmer of hope and light, with their "light come shining / From the west unto the east," suggesting a journey towards liberation and freedom. The repeated refrain of "Any day now, any day now / I shall be released" further emphasizes this sense of hope and anticipation, with the singer holding on to the belief that they will be free eventually.
The third verse introduces a new character, a man in the crowd who claims to be innocent and framed. This character serves to highlight the injustice of the singer's situation and reinforces the theme of systemic oppression and the need for individual liberation. Overall, the lyrics of I Shall Be Released convey a powerful sense of yearning for release and freedom, while also highlighting the pervasive structures of oppression and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
They say everything can be replaced
Some people believe that anything can be substituted
Yet every distance is not near
But the gap between people or things cannot always be closed easily
So I remember every face
Therefore, I keep in my memory the image of each person
Of every man who put me here
Who has brought me to this place
I see my light come shining
I perceive a lustrous ray of hope
From the west unto the east
It stretches across the globe from the far west to the far east
Any day now, any day now
Very soon, any moment
I shall be released
I will be freed from my constraints and limitations
They say every man needs protection
There is a belief that every person requires safeguarding
They say every man must fall
It is said that each individual will face a fall or downfall
But I swear I see my reflection
Yet, I contend that I see my own image
Some place so high above this wall
In a place far above the physical barriers around me
Yonder down here in this lonely crowd
Over there amidst the forlorn assemblage
Is a man who swears he's not to blame
There is a man who firmly declares he is innocent
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Throughout the day, I hear him scream emphatically
Crying out that he's been framed
He laments that he has been wrongly accused
Any day now, any day now
Very soon, any moment
I shall be released
I will be freed from my constraints and limitations
Any day now, any day now
Very soon, any moment
I shall be released
I will be freed from my constraints and limitations
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, AUDIAM, INC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kirstenlogan5175
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
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
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
@terrycater4716
Bob Dylan, what can you say that hasn’t already been said. Also I don’t think anyone could even find the words to describe what an influential figure he has been, and obviously I can only speak for myself, but Bob has been there throughout every stage of my life, I was born in 1964 and every event that I have gone through, early teens, girlfriends, marriage, children, divorce, and now just life, losing my mum almost a year ago now, there has always been a song that I could turn to that had the words to make it better. For me he is the greatest songwriter and singer my dad and my generation have had, man we have been so lucky because it was all real. Real musicians , real singers the sound that came from those fingers, and the songs from that voice, you can’t press a button in the studio and make music like that, you got what came out and that was the track, I’m not saying they didn’t have 4 or 5 takes, they did. But I can tell you one thing I never heard Bob Dylan sing a song the same way twice. So I’m going to finish with this, Don’t think twice it’s alright.
@42awww
What an amazing rendition! Dylan has never played the same song twice. And of the many, countless changes in his voice and musical style, I have come to think that this series and the Desire-Hard Rain period, is my favourite. Maybe because it's newer to me, having played out all his albums then CD's, just to hear the many splendours of knowing of this man and all the great gifts he gave to us.
@elizabethmciaglo6137
This has been a song which kept me going through so many troubles in my life. Thank You, Bob Dylan, this song salvaged my spirit, mind, heart and soul.🕊️💘🥹 Keep Shining!🌞 Always with God's Angels 👼😇🌌🌠
@kirstenlogan5175
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
I see my light come shining
From the west down to the east
Any day now, any day now
I shall be released
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
@jg5887
can we just appreciate that gorgeous instrumental. and then at 2:19 that transition into the little solo. god this song is perfection.
@carlprice5083
In 2004 my boss bought me this 2cd set for my b-day. It might be the best gift anyone has or will have given me. There’s something special about these live recordings. I think the musicians are playing as good as anyone ever, but there’s something else going on and it’s probably Bob Dylan.
@malemsaid6699
One of the best everlasting compositions of all time
@robertfields5168
This is the version of the song that has about everything in it I was searching for. Plus a great slide guitar. Awesome!
@kbbluesgreens74
Great song and rendition
@maggiebryan2355
Love this