Bob Dylan – I Shall Be Released lyrics

Bob Dylan – I Shall Be Released lyrics

They say evrything can be replaced,
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 onto the east.
Any day now, any day how,
I shall be released.

They say every man needs protection,
They say every man must fall.
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall.
I see my light come shining
From the west onto the east.
Any day now, any day how,
I shall be released.

Standing next to me 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 was framed.
I see my light come shining
From the west onto the east.
Any day now, any day how,
I shall be released.

Lyrics taken from /lyrics/b/bob_dylan/i_shall_be_released.html

Songwriters: Bob Dylan

I Shall Be Released lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Unregistered 2016-09-01 20:44:31

Many Dylan songs can be read in different meanings. This one too I think. It could be about a person in prison, who will one day be released (either to be let free or when being dead). Otherwise, it could be related to the philosopher plats allegory of the cave: We are all just shadows of an ideal being, we are all like fallen angels, living in a cave (walls). Our reflection above the walls (or outside) of the cave and the light outside (from west to east) symbolizes the ideal of a human being. One day we will find our ideal-perfect-being again, if we get outside the cave. Then our light will be everywhere.

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+ 4
Unregistered 2012-05-08 16:57:35

It is about a man in prison who remembers all who lead to his being there. He thinks about what they say that every man needs protection. A lawyer. When he stands in the crowd in prison, he feels their loneliness and hears someone crying I was framed because that man thinks he is innocent. The part about seeing his reflection so high above the wall is pertaining to high walls in prison. He can see his reflection and the light coming from the west to the east is light of day and hope that he will be released in time.

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+ 3
suitcase 2015-12-27 15:03:42

About losing everything and coming to peace that it is gone. The things I acquired didn't give me peace in my life then why do I miss them? Just like I miss some people that I have thrown away, I miss the things in my life that I have discarded. This song (and the movie I watched where I first heard it) gave me hope that I have not indeed lost everything.

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+ 3
suitcase 2015-12-27 14:53:40

It is about wanting to be redeemed at the very lowest point in life. Letting go. And feeling at peace with the events in life that have led us to complete surrender. I heard it performed by The Band in a movie that touched my heart and although I might be completely wrong in my viewpoint, it is what the song meant to me and I think it is beautiful.

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+ 3
Unregistered 2015-03-07 22:48:25

I believe the song is about a person lost in this world and trying to find his or her self.People tell always tell you it will be alright but it seems so far away.But there is hope, that is the light shining. Someday he will be free when he finds peace within himself.

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+ 2
Unregistered 2015-03-07 22:44:03

It is about someone lost in this world,lost within himself,trying to find where he belongs.People always tell You it will be alright,yet it is so far away.But there is hope,that is the light shining.Someday he will feel free,when he finds peace within himself

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+ 1
Irene Naranjo 2015-05-18 11:22:00

Yes, the light coming from the west to the east is the light of day, in the same way as there is "light at the end of the tunnel" I believe, after all the life lessons bad as well as the good, no doubt put you in the exact place you are today, that is, where you belong - in the same way "Slum Dog Millionaire" character could answer all the questions on the game show b/c he had lived those answers inadvertently throughout his life up to that point,: he was brought there by destiny. We "choose" our own destiny from on high [not when high!] before we incarnate into each new life and new body to eventually return to being a co-worker, a right-hand of G-d, as perhaps an angel up there on another level or dwell down here, in the "trash-can universe" i.e. Earth, to be of help to others, b/c that is what we chose as soul. I think so.

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