The Infidels Sessions
When The Night Comes Falling From
The Sky
Well
they're asking me why he couldn't adjust
Adjust to
what, a dream that bust?
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
They say
what's up is down, they said what isn't is
They put
ideas in his head he thought were his
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
He was on a
baseball team, he was on a marching band
When he was
ten years old he had a watermelon stand
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
He went to
church on Sunday, he was a Boy Scout
For his
friends he would turn his pockets inside out
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
They said
"Listen boy, you're just a pup"
Sent him to
a napalm health spa to shape up
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
They gave
him dope to smoke, they gave him pills for a thrill
They gave
him a jeep to drive, they gave him blood to spill
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
"Hey,
Congratulations, you got what it takes"
They sent
him back to the rat-race without any brakes
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
He bought
the American dream, but it was all wet
The only
game he could play was Russian Roulette
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
He went to
He stole a
Rolls Royce, drove it in a swimming pool
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
He could've
sold insurance, owned a bakery or bar
Could've
been an accountant or a tennis star
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
He's
wearing boxing gloves, he took a dive one day
Off the
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
His mama
weeps and cries, his daddy feels betrayed
They gotta
sleep together in a bed they never made
They took a
clean-cut kid
And they
made a killer out of him is what they did
[Source: The Telegraph # 18]
[TOP]
Standing on
the waters casting your bread
While the
eyes of the idol with the iron head
Are
glowing.
Distant
ships sailing into the mist,
You were born
with a snake in both of your fists
While a
hurricane was blowing.
Freedom
just around the corner for you
But with
truth so far off, what good will it do?
Jokerman
dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly
high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh,
Jokerman.
So swiftly
the sun sets in the sky.
You rise up
and say goodbye
To no one.
No store
bought shirt for you on your back
One of the
women must sit in the shack
And sew
one.
Shedding
off one more layer of skin,
Keeping one
step ahead of the persecutor within.
Jokerman
dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly
high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh,
Jokerman.
You're a
man of the mountains, you can walk on the clouds,
Manipulator
of crowds,
You're a
dream twister.
You're
going to
But what do
you care? Ain't nobody there would want
to marry
Your
sister.
Scratching
the world with a fine tooth comb
You're a
king among nations, your a stranger at home.
Jokerman
dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly high
by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh,
Jokerman.
Well, the
Book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy,
The law of
the jungle and the sea
Are your
only teachers.
No crystal
ball do you need on your shelf,
Michelangelo
himself
Could've
carved out your features.
So drunk
standing in the middle of the street
Directing
traffic with a small dog at your feet
Jokerman
dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly
high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh,
Jokerman.
Well, the preacherman's talking 'bout the deaf and the dumb
And the
world to come
It's
already been pre-determined
Nightsticks
and water cannons, tear gas, padlocks,
Molotov
cocktails and rocks
Can't drown
out his sermon
You let the
wicked walk right into a trap
You give
away the good things that fall in your lap
Jokerman
dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly
high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh,
Jokerman.
It's a
shadowy world, skies are slippery gray,
A woman
just gave birth to a prince today
And dressed
him in scarlet.
He'll turn priest
into pimps and make old men bark
Take a
woman that could have been Joan of Arc
And turned
her into a harlot.
Oh,
Jokerman, you know what he wants
Oh,
Jokerman, you don't show any response.
Jokerman
dance to the nightingale tune,
Bird fly
high by the light of the moon,
Oh, oh, oh,
Jokerman.
[
[TOP]
Now that
they are gone you know the truth it can be told
They were
sacrificed lambs in the market place sold
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
Now that
they are gone you know the truth it can come out
They were
never proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
The people
thought they were guilty at the time
Some even said
there hadn't been any crime
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
People look
upon this couple with contempt and doubt
But they
loved each other right up to the time they checked out
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
Eisenhower
was president, Senator Joe was King
Long as you
didn't say nothing you could say anything
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
Now some
they blamed the system, some they blamed the man
Now that it
is over, no one knows how it began
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
Every
Kingdom got to fall even the third reich
Man can do
what he pleases but not for as long as he like
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
Well they
say they gave the secrets of the Atom Bomb away
Like no one
else could think of it, it wouldn't be here today
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
Someone
says the fifties was the age of great romance
I say
that's just a lie, it was when fear had you in a trance
Julius and
Ethel, Julius and Ethel
[Source: Some Other Kind Of
Songs]
[TOP]
Well, the
pressure's down, the boss ain't here,
He gone up
North, to that light-house beyond the bend.
They say
vanity got the best of him
He didn't
trust no one on the end.
By the way,
that's a cute hat,
And that
smile's so hard to resist
But what's
a sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know I
once knew a woman who looked like you,
She wanted
a whole man, not just a half.
She used to
call me sweet daddy when I was only I child,
You kind of
remind me of her when you laugh.
In order to
deal in this game, got to make the queen disappear,
It's done
with the flick of the wrist.
What's a
sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know a
woman like you should be at home,
That's
where you belong,
Taking care
of somebody nice
Who don't
know how to do you wrong.
Just how
much abuse will you be able to take?
Well, you
never tell by that first kiss.
What's a
sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
You know
you can make a name for yourself,
You can
hear them tires squeal,
You can be
known as the most beautiful woman
Who ever
crawled across cut glass to make a deal.
They say
that oppression is a cruel tutor
And injustice
is a nurse.
You can put
your hand in the hand of the man with the nose that can't smell
But you put
your confidence in him, and that's worse.
Snap out of
it, baby, people are jealous of you,
They smile
to your face, but behind your back they hiss.
What's a
sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
Got to be
an important person to be in here, honey
Got to have
done some evil deed.
Got to have
your own harem when you come in the door,
Got to play
your harp until your lips bleed.
They say
that patriotism is the last refuge,
To which a
scoundrel clings.
Steal a
little and they throw you in jail,
Steal a lot
and they make you a king.
There's
only one step down from here, baby.
It's called
the land of permanent bliss.
What's a
sweetheart like you doing in a dump like this?
[Source: early version from tape]
[TOP]
Well, the
pressure's down, the boss ain't here,
He gone up North,
for a while.
The very last thing
he said was, "See you later"
Ah, he did go out
in style.
By the way, that's
a cute pat, er, boots
And that smile's so
hard to resist
But what, what's a
sweetheart like you doin' in a dump like this?
You know con men
don't meet strangers,
To them there are
none
Within a quarter of
an hour
They're on good
terms with everyone
In order to deal, got to make the queen disappear,
It's done with the
flick of the wrist.
What's a sweetheart
like you doin' in a dump like this?
You know a woman
like you should be at home,
That's where you
belong,
Taking care of
somebody nice
Who don't know how
to do you wrong.
You look to me like
a royalty
And there's a
thought I can't dismiss
What's a sweetheart
like you doin' in a dump like this?
You could make a
name for yourself,
You could hear them
tires squeal,
You could be known
as the most beautiful woman
Who ever crawled
across cut glass to make a deal.
They say that
oppression is a cruel tutor
And injustice is a
nurse.
Far between each
???? out
If you only saved
it first
It don't matter
what the price is,
But of how much it
just don't exist
What's a sweetheart
like you doin' in a dump like this?
You got to be an
important person to be in here, honey
Got to have done
some evil deed.
Got to have your
own harem when you come in the door,
Be able to play
your harp until your lips bleed.
They say that
patriotism is the last refuge,
To which a
scoundrel clings.
Steal a little and
they throw you in jail,
Steal a lot and
they make you a king.
There's only one
step down from here, baby.
It's called the
land of permanent bliss.
What's a sweetheart
like you doin' in a dump like this?
[Source: early version from tape]
[TOP]
Tell me
I've got to know
Tell me, tell
me before I go
Does that
flame still burn, does that fire still glow
Or has it
died out and melted like the snow
Tell me,
tell me
Tell me
what are you focused upon
Tell me
will I know better when you're gone
Tell me
quick with a glance or a sigh
Shall I
hold you close or shall I let you go by
Tell me,
tell me
Are you
looking at me and thinking of somebody else
Can you
feel the heat and the beat of my pulse
Do you have
any secrets that will only come out in time
Do you lay
in your bed and stare at the stars
Is your man
friend someone who's an old acquaintance of our's
Tell me,
tell me
Tell me do
those neon lights blind your eyes
Tell me
behind what door your treasure lies
Ever gone
broke in a big way
Ever done the
opposite of what the experts say
Tell me,
tell me
Is this
some kind of game that you're playing with me
Am I
imagining something that ever can't be
Do you have
any morals, do you have any point of view
Do you long
to ride in that old ship of
What means
more to you, a live dog or a dead lion
Tell me,
tell me
Tell me is
my name in your book
Tell me
should I come back and take another look
Tell me the
truth, tell me no lies
Are you
someone anyone prays for or cries
Tell me, tell me
[Source: John Roberts]
[TOP]
Whether it was murder, I don`t know, I can`t say; I was
visiting a friend in jail.
There were only two women at the scene
at the time, neither one of ‘em saw a thing, both of them were wearing a veil.
They said it was a natural situation,
that he reached too high, an’ tumbled back to the ground.
You know what they say about bein’ nice to people on the
way up: sooner or later you might meet ‘em comin’ down.
Well, it`s too late to bring him back,
Too late, too late, too late, too
late, too late to bring him back.
He got a brother named Paul hanging
out at the Cafe Royale where all the company is mixed.
He’s pretty to look at, he wants
someone to throw the book at, but you know he drinks, and drinks can be fixed.
Sing me one more song about your
summer romance, or maybe that one about your one night
stand with Errol Flynn.
In these times of compassion where conformity’s in fashion, say one more stupid thing to me
before the final nail’s driven in.
You know it`s too late to bring him
back,
Too late, too late, too late to bring
him back.
Dr. Silver Spoon from the Ecstasy
Ballroom: he`s a retired businessman who feeds off everyone he touched.
He gives money to the church and
foundations for research; he`s not someone you can play around with too much.
Miss Rosetta Blake from been both
sides of the lake, she`s rough to look at, but she`s straight,
She`ll feed you coconut bread an’
spiced buns in bed, an’ you won`t have to worry about sleepin’
with your head face down in the plate.
Well, it`s too late to bring him back,
Too late, too late, too late, too too late to bring him back.
Gonna arrange to see a man tonight, he’ll tell ya some secret things that ya
think might open some doors.
How to enter in the gates of paradise?
No, not really, more like goin’ crazy from carryin’ a burden never meant to be yours.
From the stage they’ll be doin’ the bumps and the grinds, a whore
will pass the hat, collect a hundred grand, say, "Well boys, thanks."
They like to take all this money from
sin, build big castles to study in, and sing “Amazing Grace” all the way to the
Swiss Bank.
Well, it`s too late to bring him back.
They got some serious people out
there, man, they can ring your bell and show you how to hold your tongue.
They don′t come to party, man,
they kill babies in the crib and they say, “Only the
good die young.”
They don't believe in mercy, and
judgment on them is something that you′ll never see.
They put your face on a postage stamp,
turn your home into an armed camp; anywhere they want you, that's where
you′ll be.
Yes, I loved him too, I can still see
him in my mind climbing up that hill.
Or was it a wall? I don′t
recall, maybe, well [garbled] never will.
Ain't nothin’ left here partner, just
the dust of fools that have left their mark in spade.
From now on this will be where
you′re from: let the dead bury the dead, your time will come; feel that
hot iron glowin’ as you raise the shade.
Well, it′s too late to bring him
back,
Too late, too late, too late, too too late to bring him back.
[Source:
Lyrics as sung by Bob Dylan on the released album Springtime
In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16, 1980-1985 and
transcribed by Daniel Mackay.]
Whether it was murder, I don′t know, I wasn't there;
I was busy visiting a friend in jail.
There were just two women on the scene
at the time, neither one of ′em saw a thing,
both of ‘em were wearing
veils.
They said it was a natural situation:
he reached too high and tumbled back to the ground.
You know what they say about being
nice to people on your way up: "You might meet 'em
again on your way back down."
Well, it′s too late to bring him
back,
Too late, too late, too late, too
late, too late to bring him back.
He had a brother named Paul, hang out
at the Cafe Royale where Miss Dolly plays and the reviews
have been mixed.
Well, he′s pretty to look at, lookin’ for someone to throw the book at, but you know that
he drinks and drinks, can be fixed.
Sing me one more song about your
summer romance, I know you don′t know marvelous children, sing me the one
about you and Errol Flynn.
In these times of compassion where
conformity's a fashion, say one more stupid thing to me before the final nail
is driven in.
You know it′s too late to bring
him back,
Too late, too late, too late, too too late to bring him back.
Dr. Silver Spoon from the Empress
Ballroom: he's a retired businessman who feeds off of everyone he touch.
Gives money to the church and
foundations for research; he's not someone you can play around with too much.
But then there's Rosetta Blake
who′s been to both sides of the lake; she′s rough to look at but
boy she's righteously straight.
She′ll feed ya
coconut bread and spiced buns in bed; you won't have to worry ′bout sleepin’ face down with your head in the plate.
Yeah it's too late to bring him back,
Too late, too late, too late, too late
to bring him back.
You′ll arrange to see your man
tonight who tell ya some secret things ya think might open some doors.
How to enter the gates of paradise?
No, not really, more like how to go crazy from carrying a burden that never
meant to be yours.
From the stage they'll be doin’ the bumps and the grinds, a whore will pass the hat,
collect a hundred grand and say, “Thanks.”
They like to take all this money from
sin and build big universities to study in, and sing “Amazing Grace” all the
way to the Swiss Bank.
Well, it′s too late to bring him
back,
Too late, too late, too late, too
late, too late to bring him back.
They got some serious people out
there, man, they can ring your bell and show you how to hold your tongue.
They don′t come to party, man,
they kill babies in the crib an’ say, “Only the good die young.”
They don't believe in mercy, and
judgment on them is something you′ll never see.
They can put your face on a postage
stamp, turn your home into an armed camp; anyway they
want you, that's the way you′ll be.
But it's too late to bring him back,
Too late, too late, too late, too
late, too late to bring him back.
Yes, I loved him too, I still see him
in my mind climbin' up that hill.
Or was it a wall? I don′t
recall; it don't matter at all, honey, and it never
will.
Ain't nothing left here partner, just the dust of fools that
have left their mark in spades.
From now on this will be where
you′re from: let the dead bury the dead, your time will come; feel that
hot iron glowin’ now as you raise the shades.
But you’re too late to bring him back,
Too late, too late, too late, too
late, too late to bring him back.
[Source: Lyrics as sung by Bob Dylan on
the released album Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16,
1980-1985 and transcribed by Daniel Mackay.]
Shadow Kingdom:
The Early Songs of Bob Dylan
Lyrics as sung by
Bob Dylan in the concert film
and transcribed by
Daniel Mackay.
Well, my
shoes they come from
My shirt is
from
My pants
are from
My
necktie's from the Amazon.
Saxophone
is from the
My car's a
Chevrolet,
It was put
together down in
By a guy makin' thirty cents a day.
Well, it's
sundown on the union
And what's
made in the
Sure was a
good idea
Till greed
got in the way.
Well, the
perfume is from
Ear-rings
are from
Belt buckle's
from the
The dog
collar's from
Chain says
"Made in
Where a
woman slaved for sure,
Taking home
sixty cents a day to a family of twelve,
A lot of
money to her.
Well, it's
sundown on the union
And what's
made in the
Sure was a
good idea
Till greed
got in the way.
Well, some
people complainin' that there is no work.
I say,
"Brother, how can that be?
When nothin' you got is U.S.-made?"
It all
comes from across the sea.
They call
it religious capitalism
Under
corporate command
It says,
"Nobody gets hired to do anything
That can be
done cheaper in some other land"
Well, it's
sundown on the union
And what's
made in the
Sure was a
good idea
Till greed
got in the way.
Well, the drug
dealers are making big profit
Oh yeah,
they say times were tough for a while.
When the
Russians bomb
They'll be
on a desert isle.
And them
big manufacturers aren't starving, though
Their
profits are down beyond belief.
Got to have
to send them a care package,
Or make it
food relief.
Well, it's
sundown on the union
And what's
made in the
Sure was a
good idea
Till greed
got in the way.
All that
steel and aluminum
Well, the
unions are big business,
But they're
going out like a dinosaur.
Well, they
used to grow food in
Now they
want to grow it on the moon.
They want
to take your home garden away,
That day is
coming pretty soon.
Well, it's
sundown on the union
And what's
made in the
Sure was a
good idea
Till greed
got in the way.
There's a
man in a mask in the White House,
Who's got
no name or important ties.
Just as
long as he understands the shape of things to come,
He can stay
there till he dies.
Got to be
an invisible man
Not a front
man for some diseased cause.
Certainly
not a union man, an independent man,
Not a man
tied to social laws.
Well, it's
sundown on the union
And what's
made in the
Sure was a
good idea
Till greed
got in the way.
[Source: early version from tape, with help from
Anthony Kapolka and John Howells]
[TOP]
If you look
out across the fields, see me returning.
Smoke is in
your eyes, you draw a smile.
>From the
fireplace where now my letters to you are burning,
You've had
time to think about it for a while.
I've walked
two hundred miles, now look me over.
It's the
end of the chase and the moon is high.
It don't
matter who loves who.
Either
you'll love me or I'll love you
When the
night comes falling from the sky.
I can see
through your walls and I know you're hurting.
Sorrow
covers you up like a cape.
Only
yesterday I know that you've been flirting
With
disaster that you somehow managed to escape.
Well, I can't
provide for you no easy answers.
Who are you
that I should have to lie?
You know
everything, my love.
Down below
and up above.
When the
night comes falling from the sky.
I can hear
your trembling heart beat like a river.
And
recently you thought you'd seen it all.
But you're
disappointed now in those who did not deliver.
But it was
you who set yourself up for a fall.
I've seen
thousands who could have overcome the darkness,
For the
love of a lousy buck, I've watched them die.
Stick
around, baby, we're not through,
Don't look
for me, I'll see you.
When the
night comes falling from the sky.
In your
teardrops, I can see my own reflection.
Luck was
with me when I crossed the borderline.
I don't want
to be a fool that's starving for affection.
I don't
want to drown in someone else's wine.
For all
eternity I think I will remember
That
whirlpool of light that's in your eye.
You will
seek me and you'll find
Me in the
wasteland of your mind.
When the
night comes falling from the sky.
Well, I
gave to you my heart like buried treasure
But
suffering seems to fit you like a glove
I'm so
tired of those who use forbidden pleasure
Who think
they've got a monopoly on love
Well, this
time I'm asking for freedom,
Freedom
from a world which you deny.
And you'll
give it to me now,
I'll take
it anyhow.
When the
night comes falling from the sky.
[Source: early version from tape, with help from John
Howells]
[TOP]
This page last
updated 25 December 2021.