WORDS FILL MY HEAD

 

The Late Sixties

 

Long Distance Operator

Most Probably Van Gogh

I Can't Leave Her Behind

On A Rainy Afternoon

What Kind Of Friend Is This

Goin' To Acapulco

All American Boy

First Version

Second Version

Bourbon Street

I'm Not There (1956)

First Version

Alternate Transcription

Wild Wolf

Champaign, Illinois

Running

 

Long Distance Operator

 

Long-distance operator,

Place this call, it's not for fun.

Long-distance operator,

Please, place this call, it's not for fun.

I gotta give a message to my baby

You know, she's not just anyone.

 

There are thousands in the phone booth,

Thousands at the gate.

Well, there are thousands in the phone booth,

Thousands at the gate.

Everybody wants to make a long-distance call

But you know everybody just gonna have to wait.

 

She don't need no shotgun

Blades are not her style.

She don't need no shotgun

Blades are not her style.

She can poison you with her eyes

She can kill you with her smile.

 

If the call comes from Louisiana,

Please, let it rise.

If the call comes from Louisiana,

Please, let it rise.

This phone booth's on fire,

It's getting hot inside.

 

Ev'rybody wants to be my friend,

Nobody wants to get higher.

Ev'rybody wants to be my friend,

Nobody wants to get higher.

Long-distance operator,

I believe I'm stranglin' on this telephone wire.

 

[Source: tape from The Berkeley Community Theatre, Berkeley, California, 4 December 1965, with help from Ron Mura]

 

[TOP]

 

Most Probably van Gogh

 

When I'd ask why the painting was deadly

Nobody could pick up my sign

'Cept for the cook she was always ready

But she'd only ask what's on your mind

She'd say that especially when it was raining

I'd say "Oh, I don't know"

But then she'd press and I'd say "See that painting,

Do you think it's been done by van Gogh?".

 

The cook she said call her Maria

She'd always point for the slim boy to come forth

Saying he treat ?????? it's his own idea

And he also makes trips to the North

Have you ever seen his naked 'Cathleen'

I'd say "Oh no, why does it show?"

And she'd whisper in my ear that he's a half breed

And I'd say "It's fine but can he paint like van Gogh?"

 

I can't remember his name, he never gave it

When I always figured he could go home

Till when he gave me his card and said "Save it"

I could see by his eyes he was alone

And it was sad how his four leaf clover,

Drawn on his calling card showed

That it was given back to him a millon times over,

And it most definiteley was not done by van Gogh.

 

You know she often came just to please me

Though I sensed she could not understand

And she made a thing out of it by saying "Go easy,

He's a straight, but he's a very crooked straight man"

And I'd say, "Does the girl in the calendar doubt it?

And by the way is it Marilyn Monroe?"

But she just spit softly and said "Why do you wanna know about it?"

And I'd say "I was just wondering if she ever sat for van Gogh"

 

It was either her or the straight man who introduced me

To Jeanette, Camilla's friend

Who later on falsely accused me

Of stealing her locket and her pen

And I said "I don't have the locket"

She said "You'd steal pictures of everybody's mother, I know"

And I said "There's no locket, no picture of any mother I would pocket,

Unless it's been done by van Gogh"

 

Camilla's house, it's stood on the outskirts

How strange to see the chandeliers destroy

While patiently he fills her coffee

Of foxhunts and ????

 

[Source: Denver Hotel Room tape, 12–13 March 1966]

 

[TOP]

 

I Can't Leave Her Behind

 

Why I can't leave her I don't know

Well she leads me where she goes

I can't find her nowhere

Well she needs me here

Honey I just can't hear her walking

I just can't hear her talk

Though sometimes you know I will

 

And when it comes my way

I'll just be left standing night and day

I will call her and say

That I don't try, try, I try but she cried

And I can't leave her behind

 

[Some Other Kind Of Songs -- from "Eat the Document"]

 

[TOP]

 

On A Rainy Afternoon


Ah, she's walking in the morning

Honey you come home

I'm on my way since long ago

You just can't know

If you have to come home I'll try

If I have to but I'll be crying

What If I'm troubled

Well, I can be unkind

I'll try to __________

Can't come in

And I'll walk away to find

Her in the morning

I'll try to maybe

Try to help if I can

And I'll be there but I just can't find you

 

[Some Other Kind Of Songs -- from "Eat the Document"]

 

[TOP]

 

What Kind Of Friend Is This


What kind of friend is this

Who goes behind my back

What kind of friend is this

Shows up every place I am

She can make it long, but she don't

She's laying low but you know

She'd rather lay in the morning

Making it on my bed

Oh, what kind of friend is this

 

What kind of friend is this

Making everyone around

What kind of friend is this

Listening to everything I found

She's tough on board

When she goes down

Late at night

Walk around

Well, she ain't good looking

But she keeps on turtledoving in

The backyard bed

Tell me what kind of friend is this

 

She don't love and she don't hug

You know she's going to be a dog

She don't and she don't

Her heart's beating and she knows she's wrong

What kind of friend is this

 

What kind of friend is this

Makes you hightail to and fro

What kind of friend is this

Wants to go wherever I go

Gad darned shame

Don't care for me

My old lady if she could only see

Tell me what kind of friend is this

 

[Some Other Kind Of Songs -- from "Eat the Document"]

 

[TOP]

 

Goin' To Acapulco

 

I'm going down to Rose Marie's

She never does me wrong

She puts it to me plain as day

And gives it to me for a song.

 

It's a wicked life but what the hell

Baby, everybody's got to eat,

And I'm just the same as anyone else

When it comes to scratching for my meat.

 

Goin' to Acapulco

Goin' on the run

Goin' down to see soccer

Goin' to have some fun.

Yeah

Goin' to have some fun.

 

Now, whenever I get up

And can't find what I need

I just make it down to Rose Marie's

And get something quick to eat.

 

It's lots of ways to make a livin'

And I ain't complainin' none

For I can blow my plum and drink my rum

And go on home and have my fun

 

Goin' to Acapulco

Goin' on the run

Goin' down to see soccer

Goin' to have some fun.

Yeah

Goin' to have some fun.

 

Now, if someone offers me a joke,

I just say no thanks

I try to tell it like it is

And keep away from pranks.

 

Well, sometime you know when the well breaks down

I just go on pump it some.

Rose Marie, she likes  to go to big places

And just sit there waitin' for me to come.

 

Goin' to Acapulco

Goin' on the run

Goin' down to see soccer

Goin' to have some fun.

Yeah

Goin' to have some fun.

 

[Source: Tape, Paul Williams: Bob Dylan -- Performing Artist]

 

[TOP]

 

All American Boy

First version

 

Well I bought me a guitar

Put it in tune

Went out there in the month of June

Bought a hot dog and smelled it

And I smelled the crowd

Everybody was a-down on this side of a cloud

There was a holy cow and a medicine man

And a sacred cow and an iron jaw that wouldn't break

 

Well I tell you the story of how to become

An All American Boy

Instead of a bum

Pound on the drum from five to six

You'll be rocking and rollin and beating on bricks

It's a good job to have if you're not working

Clean your stuff and come up tight

Gotta wish for it and that's right

Go for a train on a whiskey jar

Guzzle it up, here you are

Pick it up, now hit it

And the girls wiggle

Yes, I've been making them all jump up and down

And mingle in the socks

And their britches

Oh, you'll find that soon

You'll be in the itches

Itches all over

Itch in your pants

Itch while you dance

Itching on down to the south of France

Well, I know a boy of yesterday

He became a guitar and he floated away

In the summer and in the fall

Everyone said he was having a ball

Kicking up hot shit over the ocean

He took himself a notion

To put some of that lotion in his beat up guitar

Put it on him then

He's not very far

Next time you call him a star

Down the road boy

They call him slim

They don't care if they're carrying him

Just a minute now, you'll see what I mean

Here he come now

 

Well sooner or later a boss gonna come

He gonna take a look at ya, look at your drum

Drink this sonny, it comes in a cup

Yeah, he'll take you out to his farm

Where he's fixing it up

Girls don't giggle out there on the mountain

Well, sooner or later you're bound to meet his wife

You'll come and have the time of your life

She's there and in her way

She sure does like the things you play

Well, you want to know about the manager soon

We'll take you outside 'cause he knows you can croon

He'll buy you new clothes, a new pair of shoes

You'll be walking with the big drum blues

You're a fine drummer now, you always knew you could be

 

[Source: Some Other Kind Of Songs]

 

[TOP]

 

 

Second version

(_) =  backing vocals

 

Well I bought me a guitar

Put it in tune

Went out there in the month of June

Was a hot dog night and a [stick in a roar]

Everybody was a-down on this side

There was a holy cow (holy Cow)

Mean Cow (mean cow)

Double jaw (double Jaw)

Cow (Cow)

 

Well I'll tell you a story about how to become

An All American Boy

 

You can beat on a drum

Beat on a drum from five to six

You'll be rock and rollin' soon gettin' your kicks

It's a good job (good job)

Joinin' the band (joinin' the band)

Wave your hand (wave your hand)

Clean your hand and come up tight

Roll a smoke and down at night

[Hold on] a train on a whiskey jar

Settle it down, there you are

Hold it steady, pick it up now

Now hit it (making the girls giggle)

 

Yes, you'll be makin' them little girlies giggle

You'll be makin' them all just jump up and down and wiggle

In their socks, in their britches

All you'll find that soon you'll be itches

Itches all over

Itch in your pants, itch while you dance

Itchin' on down [to the corn' of/till they goin' to?] France

 

Well, I know a boy that yesterday

He become a guitar and he floated away

He played his [bows] and he played them all

He's just on there havin' a ball

Kicking a hot storm up over the ocean

He took himself a notion

He got some lotion and he put it on his guitar

Put it on him

Next time you do it you can call him Jim

Down the road boy

They call him slim

 

They don't care if they're carry him

Just a minute now, you'll see what I mean

(Uncle Sam...in this land...rippin' up draft cards, an' all that-)

 

Well sooner or later a man's gonna come

He gonna take a look at ya, look at your drum

He be a man and he'll take you home

Yeah, he'll take you out to his farm

He'll give you a good un

He'll give it to ya

Well, he -

(Girls don't giggle no more)

Well, sooner or later you're bound to meet his wife

And you'll come in have the time of your life

Just pickin' up gum, pickin' up a star

Pickin' up and goin' and goin' to the bar

You and yur manager

(Pickin' my nose)

Well, you'll want to know about the manager soon

He'll take you outside and put you on the moon

He'll buy you new clothes, a new pair of shoes

You'll be walking 'way with the big drum blues

You'll be a fine drummer, pick 'em as they comin'

Dog a-hummin'.

 

[Source: The Genuine Basement Tapes Volume 4]

 

[TOP]

 

Bourbon Street

 

I want another Bourbon Street

Da da da da

Oh so sweet

Hold it down

You better keep it neat

Turn it over

It was so complete

I took it down and said

Oh, oh have a seat

But I don't live down

On Bourbon Street

No more, no more, no more, no more

No, I don't live down

On Bourbon Street no more

 

Bourbon Street

Lordy-Town

You better keep it sweet

Put all your loving apples

On your feet

I don't even mind

If you want to scratch your feet

You can bag it

Down in bitter sweet

I don't beat the meat

I like like my feet

Ain't no sleet

On my Bourbon Street

 

No. Bourbon Street

A happiness'll get you Bourbon Street

The girls they won't forget you

Down on Bourbon Street

Here they come now

Here they come now

Here they come now

Here they come now

All them little girls

 

I went down looking for Bourbon Street

I looked so high

It nearly took me off-a my feet

Bourbon Street

Oh, babe let me tell you,

Bourbon Street

Mr Bartender

I'll have another

Bourbon Street

Oh, let me tell you

Bourbon Street

Let me have another Bourbon Street

Talk to your brother, mother

I want a Bourbon Street

Mr Bartender

I'll have another

Bourbon Street

 

[Source: Some Other Kind Of Songs]

 

[TOP]

 

I'm Not There (1956)

First version

 

Things all crashing there, she's all too tight

In my neighbourhood, she cried both day and night

I know it - 'cause he was there

It's a milestone, but she's down on her luck

And she's daily saloonin' but to make hard-earned buck

Now and then ...

 

I believe she'd stop him if she wants time to care

I believe that she may look upon the side who used to care

And I go by the Lord anywhere, she's on my way

But I don't belong there

 

No, I don't belong to her, I don't belong to every choir

She's my Christ-forsaken angel, but she don't hear me cry

She's the long-hearted mystic and she can't carry on

When I'm there she's alright, but then he's not when I'm gone

 

Heaven knows that the answers she knows con no-one

She's the way, for sale and beautiful, she's mine for the one

And I lost her, hesitating, by temptation as it runs

But she don't holler me, I'm not there, I'm gone

 

Now I'll cry tonight like I cried the night before

And I'm leased on the highs but I'll dream about the door

It's alone, she's forsaken by her fate, worse to tell

"It don't have approximation", she smiled "fare thee well"

 

Now, my all-decent lady, I was born to love her

But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her

And I run, but I race, but it's not too fast to stay on

But I got the fever, I'm not there, I'm gone

 

Well it's all about diffusion as I cry for her veil

I don't need anybody now beside me to tell

And it's all affirmation I receive, but it's not

She's alone, pardon, beauty, but she don't like the spot

And she calls ...

 

Yes, she's gone like the rainbow that was shining yesterday

But now she's home beside me, and I'd like her here to stay

She's a lone forsaken beauty, and it's 'Don't trust anyone'

And I wish I was beside her, but I'm not there, I'm gone

 

Well it's too hard to stay here and I don't want to leave

It's so bad, or confusing, but she's hard too hard to leave

It's a load, it's a crime, the way she moulds me around

But she told, phoned to hate me, but it's down to make a clown

 

Yes, I believe that it's rightful, Oh I believe it in my mind

I've been told, like I said, when I ___________ before, carry on the grind

Yes, his old gypsy told her, like I said "Carry on"

I wish I was there to help her, but I'm not there, I'm gone

 

[Source: The Telegraph #4, suggestions by John Howells]

 

[TOP]

 

 

Alternate transcription

 

She's all right and she's all too tight

In my neighborhood she cried both day and night

I know it - because he was there

It's a milestone, but she's down on her luck

And she's daily saloonin' but to making hard to buck

Now and then ...

 

I believe that she's stopping if she wants time to care

I believe that she'd look upon him deciding to care

And I go by the law, anyway she's on my way

But I don't belong there

 

No I don't belong to her, I don't belong to everybody

She's my Christ-forsaken angel, but she don't hear me cry

She's a long-hearted mystic and she can't carry on

When I'm there she's alright, but then she's not when I'm gone

 

Heaven knows that the answers she's don't calling no one

She's the way for sailing beautiful, she's mine for the one

And I lost a heavy __________ by temptation as it runs

But she don't honor me, I'm not there I'm gone

 

Now I'll cry tonight like I cried the night before

And I'm leased on the house but I dream about the door

She's alone, she's forsaken by a fate worse to tell

It don't have __________ she's my old fare-thee-well

 

Now when I __________ I was born to love her

But she knows that the kingdom waits so high above her

And I run, but I race, but it's not too fast or slow

But I don't perceive her, I'm not there I'm gone

 

Well it's all about ....... and I cry for her bell

I don't need anybody now beside me to tell

And it's all admiration I receive, but it's not

She's a lone parting beauty, but she don't like the spot

If she won't

 

Yes she's gone like the rainbow that was shining yesterday

But now she's home beside me and I'd like her here to stay

She's a form-forsaking beauty and it don't trust anyone

I wish I was beside her, but I'm not there I'm gone

 

Well it's too heart-forsaking and I don't want to believe

It's __________ but she's hard, too hard to leave

It's alone, it's a crime, the way she won't be around

______________________________

 

Yes, I believe that it's rightful, oh I believe it in my mind

I've been told, like I said <when I> before "carry on the grind"

And this old gypsy told her, like I said "carry on"

I wish I was there to help her, but I'm not there I'm gone

 

 

[TOP]

 

 

Wild Wolf

 

Now the ruins are barely rolling

And the animals can't agree

On all the bushes in the nations

But nobody feels sorry for me

If I lost everything of all the cities

Yeah, but I can't help this smog

The day I feel it

She sure is standing

But the holy book is written

Oh, what page

They are all there

And as for a natural warning

But nobody done yet understand

Just like Pharao and his armies

They were made of solid bread, yeah

That old bad wolf's gonna howl his way to morning's

Hold to some big cavern

I would sit and wait, calling my children out there

But I just don't mean to hesitate

And if I was a missionary leader

I would attempt to laugh and rage

Yet the wild wolf he's still bubbling under

And not a babe

 

[Source: Some Other Kind Of Songs]

 

[TOP]

 

Champaign, Illinois

Bob Dylan & Carl Perkins

 

I got a woman in Morocco,

I got a woman in Spain,

Woman that's done stole my heart,

She lives up in Champaign.

 

I say Champaign, Champaign, Illinois,

I certainly do enjoy Champaign, Illinois.

 

The first time that I went there,

They treated me so fine.

Man alive, I'm telling you,

I thought the whole darn town was mine.

 

Up in Champaign,

I say Champaign, Champaign, Illinois,

I certainly do enjoy Champaign, Illinois.

 

Well, I didn't have a home on Friday,

And on a Saturday too.

Man alive, I'm telling you,

They'll know just what to do up in Champaign, Illinois.

 

Up in Champaign,

I say Champaign, Champaign, Illinois,

I certainly do enjoy Champaign, Illinois.

 

Well, I've been a whole lotta places,

There's nothin' I ain't done,

But when it comes to women, boy,

I got only one.

 

She's up in Champaign,

I say Champaign, Champaign, Illinois,

Yes, I certainly do enjoy Champaign, Illinois.

 

[Source: Some Other Kind Of Songs]

 

[TOP]

 

Running

 

Love fine living and
Down high and low
She’s dreaming
But you might grow

You got me running
I just can’t stay
Sorry little girl
But this poor boy’s goin' away

Well hanging on the levy
And looking at the ship
I can’t stay
I believe I’ll make a trip

I’m running
I just can’t stay
Well I’m sorry little girl
But this poor boy’s goin' away

Well, let’s go away now!
Well on the corner
Looking down on my watch
Poor feet, and I just can’t touch

I’m running
I just can’t stay
Well I’m sorry little girl
But this poor boy’s running away

Oh lets go out!

 

Recorded in Columbia Studio A, Nashville, Tennessee during the 2nd Self Portrait session, produced by Bob Johnston 26 April 1969. Source: 50th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION released in Europe December 2019. Transcribed by Daniel Mackay.

 

 

This page last updated 16 March 2020.