• Song:

    Music From Big Pink Album

  • Artist:

    The Band

Tracks
1. Tears of Rage
2. To Kingdom Come
3. In a Station
4. Caledonia Mission
5. The Weight
6. We Can Talk
7. Long Black Veil
8. Chest Fever
9. Lonesome Suzie
10. This Wheel's on Fire
11. I Shall Be Released
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Track 1. Tears of Rage
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Bob Dylan and Richard Manuel. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1967, 1970 Dwarf Music

See Peter Viney's article on "Tears of Rage" for more about this song.
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   C5                  A5      F5            D5
We carried you in our arms on Independence Day
Bb5                          F5         C5
 And now you'd throw us all aside and put us all away
                                  A5        F5                 D5
Oh, what dear daughter 'neath the sun could treat a father so?
Bb5                F5                 C5
 To wait upon him hand and foot and always tell him "No"

(Chorus:)
E5             A5
 Tears of rage, tears of grief
F5                 C5
 Why must I always be the thief?
E5                             A5
 Come to me now, you know we're so low
F5            C5    F5 C5
 And life is brief

It was all very painless
When you went out to receive
All that false instruction
Which we never could believe
And now the heart is filled with gold
As if it was a purse
But, oh, what kind of love is this
Which goes from bad to worse?

(Chorus)

We pointed you the way to go
And scratched your name in sand
Though you just thought it was nothing more
Than a place for you to stand
I want you to know that while we watched
You discovered no one would be true
And I myself was among
The ones who thought
It was just a childish thing to do

(Chorus)
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Track 2. To Kingdom Come
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by J.R.Robertson. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music

The "Robbie Lick" for the end of every fourth line in a verse is an E chord, and then an 
D7 chord, and then that D7 chord slid up two frets. Robbie also does this in "Caledonia 
but in G instead of E. Also, the piano puts in chords that the guitar doesn't play.
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B5
Forefather pointed to kingdom come
F#5
Sadly told his only son
A5
Just be careful what you do
"Robbie Lick"
It all comes back on you.


False witness spread the news
Somebody's gonna lose
Either she or me or you,
Nothing we can do.

(Chorus)

A5              E5
Don't you say a word
       A5          E5
Or reveal a thing you've learned
A5            Ab5     C#5
Time will tell you well
         F#5     A5    B5
If you truly, truly fell


Tarred and feathered, yea!
Thistles and thorns,
One or the other
He kindly warns.

Now you look out the window tell me
What do you see?
I see a golden calf pointing
Back at me.

I been sitting in here for so darn long
Waitin' for the end to come along.
Holy roaster on the brink
Take a chance, swim or sink.

False witness, cast an evil eye
said I cannot tell a lie,
Haints and saints don't bother me
I'm not alone you see.

(Chorus)


haints: dialect word for haunts i.e. ghosts.

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Track 3. In A Station
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Richard Manuel. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
C5       E5                 F5          D5
 Once I walked through the halls of a station
G5                    C5
 Someone called your name
C5       E5             F5        D5
 In the street I heard children laughing
G5                   C5
 They all sound the same
C5                       F5
 Wonder, could you ever know me
C5                      G5
 Know the reason why I live
C5                         F5
 Is there nothing you can show me
Eb5            F5       C5
Life seems so little to give

Once I climbed up the face of a mountain
And ate the wild fruit there
Fell asleep until the moonlight woke me
And I could taste your hair
Isn't everybody dreaming!
Then the voice I hear is real
Out of all the idle scheming
Can't we have something to feel

Once upon a time leaves me empty
Tomorrow never comes
I could sing the sound of your laughter
Still I don't know your name
Must be some way to repay you
Out of all the good you gave
If a rumour should delay you
Love seems so little to save

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Track 4. Caledonia Mission
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by J.R. Robertson. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music

For an analysis of the lyrics, and more, see Peter Viney's article on "Caledonia Mission".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    G5                        C5
She reads the leaves and she leads the life
         G5                        D5
That she learned so well from the old wives
        E5           D5        C5                    D5
It's so strange to arrange it, you know I wouldn't change it
    E5                D5       C5               D5
But hear me if you're near me, can I just rearrange it?
G5
 The watchman covers me
G5
With his remedy
G5
I can't see and it's hard to feel
D5                  C5        D5    G5
 I think his magic might be real

I can't get to you from your garden gate
You know it's always locked by the magistrate
Now he don't care why you cry, he thinks it's just a lie
To get out, I don't doubt that you'd make a try
If the good times get you through
I know the dogs won't bother you
We'll be gone in moonshine time
I've got a place they'll never find

You know I do believe in your hexagram
But can you tell me how they all knew the plan?
Did you trip or slip on their gifts, you know you were just a con?
You knew it, why d'you do it, I've been hiding in the dark
Now I must be on my way
I guess you really have to stay
Inside the mission law
Down in Modock, Arkansas

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Track 5. The Weight
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

by J.R.Robertson. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music

For an analysis of the lyrics, and more, see Peter Viney's article on "The Weight".
Bass tablature also avalable
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A5               C#5          D5                      A5
 I pulled into Nazareth, was feelin' about half past dead;
                 C#5        D5            A5
I just need some place where I can lay my head.
                      C#5             D5                 A5
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"
                    C#5                D5                      A5
He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!", was all he said.


(Chorus:)
A5       E5        D5     A5       E5        D5
 Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free;
A5       E5        D5                                            
          A5 D5
 Take a load off Fanny, And (and) (and) you can put the load right on me.

A5 E5 D5 A5 D5

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 m'friend can stick around."

(Chorus)

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say
It's just ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day.
"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"

(Chorus)

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."

(Chorus)

Catch a cannon ball now, t'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.

(Chorus)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Track 6. We Can Talk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Richard Manuel. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music

For more about this song, see Peter Viney's article on "We Can Talk".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

D5            E5  D5  G5
We can talk about it now
          A5
It's that same old riddle only starting from the middle
    D5            E5    D5    G5
I'd fix it but I don't know how
         A5
Well, we could try to reason but you might think it's treason
G5
  One voice for all
F5 E5                 A5
  Echoing across the hall
B5               G5
Don't give up on father clock
A5                       D5 A5
We can talk about it now
D5            E5   D5   G5
Come, let me show you how
   A5
To keep the wheels turnin' you've got to keep the engine churnin'
   D5         E5   D5 G5
Did you ever milk a cow
  A5
I had the chance one day but I was all dressed up for Sunday
G5                F5
 Everybody, everywhere
E5            A5
Do you really care
B5                     G5
Pick up your heads and walk
A5                        D5 G5
We can talk about it now
   C5                      E5               F5
It seems to me we've been holding something underneath our tongues
     C5                       E5
I'm afraid if you ever got a pat on the back
         F5                 G5
It would likely burst your lungs
    A5            E5                  A5            E5
Woh, stop me, if I should sound kinda down in the mouth
        A5                   E5             A5
But I'd rather be burned in Canada than to freeze here in the south
D5             E5  D5 G5
Pulling that eternal plough
             A5
We've got to find a sharper blade or have a new one made
D5               E5   D5    G5
Rest awhile and cool your brow
               A5
Don't need it, no need to slave, the whip is in the grave
G5            F5
 No salt, no trance
     E5                 A5
It's safe now to take a backward glance
    B5                    G5
The leaves have turned to chalk
A5                        D5 A5 D5
We can talk about it now,
A5                       D5
We can talk about it now

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Track 6. Long Black Veil
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by M.J.Wilkin and D.Dill. Album: Music from Big Pink
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

G5
Ten years ago on a cool dark night
          D5                         C5         G5
There was someone killed 'neath the town hall light
G5
There were few at the scene and they all did agree
         D5                    C5        G5
That the man who ran looked a lot like me

The judge said "Son, what is your alibi?
If you were somewhere else then you won't have to die"
I spoke not a word although it meant my life
I had been in the arms of my best friend's wife

    C5           G5          C5          G5
She walks these hills in a long black veil
    C5         G5               C5           G5
She visits my grave where the night winds wail
G5                     C5      G5
Nobody knows, no, and nobody sees
C5      G5     D5   C5
Nobody knows but me

The scaffold was high and eternity neared
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear
But sometimes at night when the cold wind moans
In a long black veil she cries over my bones

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Track 7. Chest Fever
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by J.R. Robertson. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music

For more about this song, see Peter Viney's notes on "Chest Fever".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

E5 D5 A5

  E5                    D5 A5                      
   D5
I know she's a tracker,       any scarlet would back her
A5     E5                   D5 A5                    
  E5   D5
   They say she's a chooser,     but I just can't refuse her
A5
 She was just there, but then she can't be here no more
E5    B5     D5      E5                  B5      
    D5        E5
 And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
    B5      D5        E5      F#5
But just before she leaves, she receives

She's been down in the dunes and she's dealt with the goons
Now she drinks from the bitter cup, I'm trying to get her to give it up
She was just here, I fear she can't be here no more
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives

  Ab5                            C#5
It's long, long when she's gone, I get weary holding on
  F#5 ( F#7?)              B5
Now I'm coldly fading fast, I don't think I'm gonna last
Very much longer

"She's stoned" said the Swede, and the moon calf agreed
I'm like a viper in shock with my eyes in the clock
She was just there somewhere and here I am again
And as my mind unweaves, I feel the freeze down in my knees
But just before she leaves, she receives

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Track 9.Lonesome Suzie
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Richard Manuel. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1968, 1970 Dwarf Music
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

C5   E5   A5     F5 Bb5      C5
Lonesome Suzie, never got the breaks
      E5     A5    G5
She's always losing so she sits and cries and shakes
C5     E5              A5        F5   Bb5    C5
 It's so hard just to watch her, and if I touch her
Eb5  Bb5    C5     A5 C5            G5  
     C5
 Oh, poor Suzie,    I'm wondrin' what to do

She just sits there, hoping for a friend
I don't fit here, but I may have a friend to lend
Maybe I mistook her, but I can't overlook her
Must be someone who can pull her through

   E5        A5                  F5   Bb5      C5
Anyone who's felt that bad could tell me what to say
     E5           A5       G5
Even if she'd just get mad, she might be better off that way
C5             E5      A5
 And where is all the understanding
F5         Bb5       C5
 Her problems can't be that demanding
Eb5   Bb5        C5           A5
 Why is it she looks that way
C5         G5          C5
Every time she starts to cry?

Lonesome Suzie, I can't watch you cry no longer
If you can use me until you feel a little stronger
I guess just watching you has made me lonesome too
Why don't we get together,
D5       G5      C5
 What else can we do?

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Track 10.This Wheel's On Fire
----------------------------------------------------------------------------by Bob Dylan 
Rick Danko. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1967,1970 Dwarf Music

See Peter Viney's article for more about this song.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
          A5
If your memory serves you well
                Bo7
We're going to meet again and wait
         E5
So I'm going to unpack all my things
                F5             D5      A5
And sit before it gets too late
  C5                A5
No man alive will come to you
      C5               A5
With another tale to tell
          C5                 A5
And you know that we shall meet again
          F5      D5        A5
If your memory serves you well

CHORUS:
D5               F5       C5              G5  G5
This wheel's on fire, rolling down the road
      C5   G5      F5      C5
Best notify my next of kin
 F5          G5       A5
This wheel shall explode!

If your memory serves you well, I was going to confiscate your lace
And wrap it up in a sailor's knot and hide it in your case
If I knew for sure that it was yours, and it was oh so hard to tell
And you know that we shall meet again if your memory serves you well

(CHORUS)

If your memory serves you well, you'll remember that you're the one
Who called on them to call on me to get you your favours done
And after every plan had failed and there was nothing more to tell
And you know that we shall meet again if your memory serves you well

(CHORUS)
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Track 11. I Shall Be Released
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
by Bob Dylan. Album: Music from Big Pink
? 1967,1970 Dwarf Music
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

E5                             F#5
 They say everything can be replaced
Ab5            A5         B5      E5
 They say every distance is not near
                    F#5
So I remember every face
Ab5       A5       B5      E5    B5
 Of every man who put me here

(Chorus:)
E5                    F#5
 I see my light come shinin'
Ab5       A5      B5      E5
 From the west unto the east
            F#5
Any day now, any day now
Ab5 A5       B5  E5
 I  shall be released

They say ev'ry man needs protection
They say that ev'ry man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Somewhere so high above this wall

(Chorus)

Now yonder standing there 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

(Chorus)
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