Bob Dylan - To Ramona

Lyrics:
Ramona, come closer
Shut softly your watery eyes
The pangs of your sadness
Will pass as your senses will rise
For the flowers of the city
Though breathlike, get deathlike sometimes
And there's no use in tryin'
To deal with the dyin'
Though I cannot explain that in lines
Your cracked country lips
I still wish to kiss
As to be under the strength of your skin
Your magnetic movements
Still capture the minutes I'm in
But it grieves my heart, love
To see you tryin' to be a part of
A world that just don't exist
It's all just a scheme, babe
A vacuum, a dream, babe
That sucks you into feelin' like this
I can see that your head
Has been twisted and fed
With worthless foam from the mouth
I can tell you are torn
Between stayin' and returnin'
Back to the South
You've been fooled into thinking
That the finishin' end is at hand
Yet there's no one to beat you
No one t' defeat you
'Cept the thoughts of yourself feeling bad
I've heard you say many times
That you're better than no one
And no one is better than you
If you really believe that
Then you know you have
Nothing to win and nothing to lose
From fixtures and forces and friends
Your sorrow does stem
That hype you and type you
Making you feel
That you must be exactly like them
I'd forever talk to you
But soon my words
Would turn into a meaningless ring
For deep in my heart
I know there is no help I can bring
Everything passes
Everything changes
Just do what you think you should do
And someday maybe
Who knows, baby
I'll come and be cryin' to you

[@1DaTJo]

People who think Dylan can’t sing should try to sing even just the arpeggios at the end of each line. Bob is the absolute best of all time.

[@shrimptunes3463]

That, my friend, is an excellent observation!

[@amauri3565]

@@shrimptunes3463 it really is!

[@raygarafano3633]

Dylan is a real wordsmith, the right word for the intent. From fixtures an forces n friends ur sorrows do stem, They'll hype u an type u into mkg you feel u gotta b just like them. Bob must b talkn about narcissists Listen to idiot wind.Pure genius.

[@1DaTJo]

@@raygarafano3633 Idiot Wind is one of the best songs ever written. Powerful. Melodic. Brilliant.

[@craig7437]

Very well said brother the so called good singers bore me to death this will never be matched

[@durhamduck836]

I named my beautiful daughter after this song. I love it.... but her more

[@alexshapardanis1105]

I named my daughter after this song as well! She is 3 months old. I love her name so much. and this song, of course. One of my favorites.

[@odeb7924]

@@alexshapardanis1105 Wow, I named my daughter Ramona too! Only my daughter is 28...enjoy your little one

[@donbenevento2805]

Awesome.

[@simonerusso6920]

God bless yuo

[@livingstonegonsalves5546]

@@alexshapardanis1105 ⁰⁰

[@mingulay29]

I was in Liverpool one day not so long ago going down Bold Street and a song from a busker was getting my attention. As I got closer there was something... It had to be Dylan but I didn't know the song. I waited until he finished a wonderful rendition. In places like Liverpool and Paris you get some superb buskers. To Ramona he said and I thanked him with all my heart. I was so pleased that this little gem had escaped my notice. Thus it is with Bob.

[@lucy-zh8uc]

but it grieves my heart love to see you tryin to be a part of a world that just doesn't exist

[@phildavison9825]

My parents said he could not sing. Yet, he turns out to be the best singer I've ever heard. Best range, most operatic, pure passion, sheer genius. If you don't believe me, trying singing like him. If you can, I've got a million bucks in cash right here and will send it to you forthwith. Greatest poet and musician who ever lived. I know it, he knows it. No discussion necessary.

[@1DaTJo]

Exactly!

[@josephburke6184]

Sinead Lohan's version is better.

[@jesuisravi]

he was supremely great in the first 10 years of his career.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

a lot of what we like will NEVA fit into mom n dads generation gap, so do yaself a favor an forget that idea. Te thing is is u like dylan and I like him and we take the time to think an listen to what he is saying. check out idiot wind he hadda be talking about a narcissist, flat out "and all your raging glory" Dylan has more talent than lotsa ppl know about and even less understand. Dylan is like electricity, evry1 loves what it can do 4 ya but not many undastand it or take the time to know about eitha, yet both are a real force.

[@alexshapardanis1105]

I had to answer a question "Whose voice do you love the most in music" and I thought about it for days and days because music is my passion and there were o many people I wanted to choose. I ended up choosing the first voice I thought of: Bob Dylan's. He just brought me up through my teens and twenties and his voice to me is Godlike.

[@mannacharya4088]

I still remember. I had this song on a complication CD but had never heard. I had a bad day and my father just went out after scolding me and saying, "You have never been of any use since your birth". Which was sad because it was well -true. I sat down and cried after he left and turned on the player. Just skimmed through the songs and found this called 'To Ramona'. Just let it play. And my God it was magical. It just made me realize how foolish it was to cry over that. And I also realized that my father must have also had a bad day (he was taking my mother to the hospital just after attending Parent teacher meeting with me) I made my mind that I have to work harder. Thanks Dylan.

[@alexs6250]

Pizza Cuber yes! It’s the ultimate existential pep talk...

[@robrose4694]

That was an awesome story, thank you for sharing.

[@josemanuelc.figueroa1926]

Here’s the prove that a true artist doesn’t need a great voice, the best musical chords and any type of technology to expose the beautiful art of the literature at its best... thank you life for one of the all time greatest, Bob Dylan!

[@danielnelliug8965]

Amén señor.

[@danielscissorhands]

The word you are looking for is "proof". ;)

[@jmkearns-songs]

Only this DOES show one of the great voices of the 20th Century. The guy had a huge range, and invented a whole new kind of vocal delivery, that was scornful, tragic, witty, delicate, by turns. A person can live in that voice. And pray listen to the last word of each verse, the little string of notes: "Though I cannot explain that in LI-I-I-INES..."

[@ronchapman6525]

@@jmkearns-songs Yes, thank you, I'm so tired of the "Sure he's a great writer, but he can't sing." His phrasing, evocation of moods, and overall performative skill is half of Dylan's genius.

[@shrimptunes3463]

@@jmkearns-songs Thanks for that “on-the-money” observation!

[@justincooper1626]

This is Bob Dylan's Mona Lisa.

[@sellout87]

ramona lisa

[@cyrildelarosa4020]

@@sellout87 nice

[@p.martinsluiz3923]

Agree 100%

[@scovserbcurmudgeon6818]

Except that the only part of the sing that's original are about half of the verses.

[@davidcoxon4710]

@@sellout87 brilliant!

[@donbenevento2805]

I've been a Dylan fan for nearly 50 years and yet I don't ever recall hearing this song until now. It has instantly become one of my favorites.

[@BlueTJay]

Same here!

[@nycholasgr8112]

Ramona, come closer Shut softly your watery eyes The pangs of your sadness Will pass as your senses will rise For the flowers of the city Though breathlike, get deathlike sometimes And there's no use in tryin' To deal with the dyin' Though I cannot explain that in lines Your cracked country lips I still wish to kiss As to be by the touch of your skin Your magnetic movements Still capture the minutes I'm in But it grieves my heart, love To see you tryin' to be a part of A world that just don't exist It's all just a scheme, babe A vacuum, a dream, babe That sucks you into feelin' like this I can see that your head Has been twisted and fed With worthless foam from the mouth I can tell you are torn Between stayin' and returnin' Back to the South You've been fooled into thinking That the finishin' end is at hand Yet there's no one to beat you No one t' defeat you 'Cept the thoughts of yourself feeling bad I've heard you say many times That you're better than no one And no one is better than you If you really believe that You know you have Nothing to win and nothing to lose From fixtures and forces and friends Your sorrow does stem That hype you and type you Making you feel That you gotta be exactly like them I'd forever talk to you But soon my words Would turn into a meaningless ring For deep in my heart I know there is no help I can bring Everything passes Everything changes Just do what you think you should do And someday maybe Who knows, baby I'll come and be cryin' to you

[@johnlavagnino6181]

A Stoic word for word

[@carliereed3881]

"...shed softly..."

[@lberthelon]

I never get tired of this song.

[@allgoodnamestaken]

This song and it's alright ma are 2 of the greatest songs ever written by anyone

[@stevengiocondo6060]

without question

[@FIONA21ful]

Just had Sinèad Lohans beautiful version of this play at my brothers funeral. He adored the words.

[@imannonymous7707]

Rip

[@geebud1880]

your brother feels ... balmed .. for eternity!! XX

[@bigbictors2804]

he adored you, love all big

[@odeb7924]

It's a beautiful version her voice is so sweet. God bless your brother, sorry for your loss

[@TheOilkd]

A Dylan fan since he first sang in Cambridge in the early 60's. This is one of my favorites.

[@TheOilkd]

I also saw him in Cambrige and this is one of my favorites.

[@Johnnyfive55]

Listen to Sinead Lohan's cover of the song. I guarantee you won't be disappointed. No ordinary cover I promise

[@vickydonohoe1372]

Happy Birthday Dad your favourite song! Love u so much xxx

[@imannonymous7707]

Classic and often overlooked

[@christinepalmer596]

A beautiful version of one of Dylan's much loved songs. Love it still, 50 years down the line. Christine Gold Coast Australia.

[@rikstavale]

Songs like this will never get old. Cheers to another 50!

[@liamfan]

Possibly my favorite song by the Nobel Laureate. :)

[@marysagar]

me too, "most of the time," you might say ... and then you would have that one high on the list. I am on such a repeat marathon of The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll that by now I am beginning to feel i may as well consider it's Hattie herself calling out to all of the so-called United States to get it together. "NO ONE TO DEFEAT YOU 'CEPT YOUR THOUGHT OF YOURSELF FEELING BAD" !!!, he is just getting started ...

[@Poordumbcracker]

My favorite.

[@mpble5376]

Mine too Leslie I was listening to Radio Paradise just today and heard it for the first time ( i have been a fan for years and can't believe I never heard it ) . He is such a master of lyrics.

[@been2binhdinh]

Visions of Johanna is great but this is his greatest....

[@Stringman1950]

Mpb Le 0

[@natewylz8268]

Your magnetic movements still captures the minutes I'm in....

[@lewistaylor1965]

One of my favourite lyrics by Dylan...and can't help feeling Lennon got the idea for his alliteration with 'It doesn't matter much to me'...He kept a close eye on Dylan those years...maybe, maybe not!

[@aliceburke4559]

Nate Wylz What is Sinead Lohan doing now

[@elstonngunn4193]

Alice Burke raising a family gave up music

[@shirleyforrest6897]

What a beautiful lyric. Xxxxxxxx home is where the heart is stay safe.x

[@davidcoxon4710]

For the flowers of the city Though breathlike, get deathlike sometimes The other Dylan could have written that. I always have great heated but fun discourse with a friend who errs on the side of Vonnegut's opinion of Dylan. So I just keep sending him perfectly formed gems like these.

[@paavoviuhko7250]

This was the most attractive song to me on this first Dylan album I ever bought back in 65 or so. Though it also contained Chimes Of Freedom and All I Really Want To Do and Ballad in Plaint d. and the song that I first heard on my crystal radio, my first intro to a real Dylan song through the mouth of one Johnny Cash singing It Ain't Me Babe. Yes I was born into this. But the lyrics on the back led me to my reality. This album was the beginning of my recovered life.

[@anthonyhenderson6039]

brings back memories of London squats the dilly and long lost friends from Newcastle upon Tyne, old George, black boy inn ,bigg. market, wow 50 years amazing thanks Bob Dylan

[@manusmcdaid751]

yes I remember living in squats in London.late 70s ... what a fucked. . up time

[@leeglasse5975]

The 'dilly'. You're showing your age . You might have seen me there...around midnight.

[@dylanmyers3082]

Them squats are worth millions now

[@oliverknox3288]

I thought this was a Flying Burrito Brothers original but I found this version yesterday. This entire song, the harp, the lyrics, the waltz sound, really make it one of his best songs

[@richardweeks1481]

Did you think Roy Orbison ripped off Pretty Woman from Van Halen?

[@redtobertshateshandles]

My daughter is starting to make her way into life and navigating her first job. I'm old and been there, done that. Bob was my older bros music and has shaped my life. Thanks too all.

[@stevemendelson9882]

I have loved this since it came out. It is the best song Bobby ever wrote . . . along with about 50 others. He is the voice and pulse of my generation and remains so for me even tho I have heard little of his work since Nashville Skyline, tho have attended two concerts of his in 1980s.

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

Happy 80th birthday to the most prolific songwriter who ever lived.

[@JT-rc7vx]

Still my favorite Bob song. So many of my friends were her.

[@thegreekestgid4705]

Underrated album

[@caveman85635]

Simply awesome...absolutely timeless...gets better every time I listen to this...

[@marakaretsos5204]

Wonderful 🎼⭐️🎸

[@maggielaidlaw5303]

Just heard this on CBC radio''s Q. First time I heard it, already one of my favourites!

[@clairebear184]

Absolutely love Sinead Lohan’s cover of this.

[@Johnnyfive55]

As good a cover as Hendrix's cover of all along the Watchtower

[@edicamon8486]

Me too

[@gavinmcdonald9959]

try alan price

[@josephburke6184]

It's better than bobs

[@slyeung6562]

Wonderful lyrics ! Thanks.

[@goodyeoman4534]

A sublime song.

[@ramonawolter8928]

This song is to me, lol

[@douglasmcconnell8116]

Wow a lyrical genius , I've always thought this tough...👏

[@tayamorris4758]

A brilliant beautiful song

[@vitoroliveirajorge368]

Fantastic, unique artist

[@raywhisler8136]

My personal favorite right beside it's all over now...

[@marakaretsos5204]

Chanteur Inoubliable 🎶🎶🎼🎶🎸❤️

[@jeanlerbyzumaetacaman1052]

¿Cuántos llegaron aquí por Peces de cuidad, del maestro Sabina?

[@gabrielaolguin3475]

Yo mera, esta Sabinera!

[@dianagpe.ramirez9553]

Yo también ☺️❤️

[@fernandocifre4545]

Yo no.

[@rahulganguly6873]

I am thirty two years old and haven't been an adult so far, I have lost a lot in my life, my love, my job and my future (but I know if I start today I still can make it in life to be self sufficient) I have known this song for a decade now (I had discovered through friends as I don't live in USA or any other English speaking country) but I have never understood what it meant, I feel though Dylan was speaking to a woman it felt like the person I loved and lost is speaking the same to me... The least I could do is keep listening to this song to get through my issues (mental and phsycial). Thank you Bob

[@dulacdominique7630]

Very nice song !❤

[@chellew5071]

Love this song no end....

[@elstonngunn4193]

3:17 love his voice on that line, so great

[@Stringman1950]

That’s a tough one. There are so many ... Cheers!

[@rosskelly8045]

Been to one of your concerts great experience

[@chellew5071]

Every line is just pure genius

[@giovanniluca7348]

This song I love !

[@sams_3d_stuff]

I'm a 90's kid. Heard it first in Lissies cover. Still it makes me wanna go back and I dunno where :/ Black magic ,voodoo stuff

[@ronaldchambers8901]

Raw love!

[@rositaespinosa7653]

Beautiful song

[@anabilmukherjee1133]

Khub shundor

[@BorsosGabor2023]

Most megyek és meghallgatom ezt a dalt Sinéad Lohan előadásában is,hogy ez az izé kitisztuljon a fülemből.

[@evasbolci3005]

Everything passes Everything changes Just do what you think you should do.

[@brendanwalsh9829]

Pure genius.

[@kieranbrennanmusic9261]

Exactly like them . Hope the young hear this . Social media tells them how to live now. Be original young ones. Your beautiful the way God made you.

[@jonatanmejia251]

Peces de ciudad!

[@tinaxtony]

I wish a man wrote a song about me like Bob wrote for so many of the women in his life

[@janepiepes2243]

Isn 't this such a great unique song ....everything about it .....those rhythmic changes as part of the whole ..... and who would know to end those words in tge funny, tricky and charming way ....I love Ramona !!! It's a giant song living and hiding inside a smallish song,

[@mikegoldthwaite4331]

"Your cracked country lips, I still wish to kiss, As to be by the strength of your skin...." ----Nobel Bob

[@gloobjob]

Referenced in my novel, Bullshit Rodeo. I'll always love the man who told me this song reminded him of me.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

This is a great song, I play it on the piano, great verses. Hello Phil Davison, between the gr8 guitar work and his outlook on life and knowing so much, he REALLY expresses his feelings in songs.

[@andrewmatson1395]

Hi - I'm looking for the sheet music for this - where did you get it from?

[@raymondgarafano8604]

@@andrewmatson1395 Hello Andrew, I never found it, so with Archive music paper I worked on my own arrangement. in 3/4 time short beat and two long ones. I will look thru my old stuff and c if I can dig her up. I think I stayed in the scale of C. If I find it I'll let u know.

[@raymondgarafano8604]

@@andrewmatson1395 I wrote it! I too looked all over for it. It is not the original but having some idea of music and how it works. Between the verses its 1-2-3-1-2-3-1-2-3 in the key of C doing a 1-3-5 chord or CEG L hand. RH is doing E-G-G then it is C-F-A with the right hand C-F-A C-F-A C-F-A. So far as the verses, I am using chords such as C,F, G and say ACE> an there's no use in C-try-D-in FACLH> in RH dealin with the dyin, CEG LH> Tho I cant explain it in lines G going from G and ending on C

[@fadidi1828]

super

[@chiforinfula]

la mejor de todas

[@babeeblues]

I heard maybe 3rd-hand that some respected critic had called To Ramona the song best capturing Dylan's "philosophy." I chuckle insofar as I believe he had quite a few philosophies over the years. But To Ramona Top 3 for me and I wouldn't dispute this claim. The last line brings tears to my eyes most every time. After a rough, if poignant critique ripping her line after line, comes jarringly capped by a movingly generous, ever loving conclusion: "Who knows baby . . . ?" Indeed. Wonderful to a hard-bitten Existensionalist like me.

[@Dawn-Songs]

That last line catches at my heart to , every time I listen to it ( often) but sadly the man I parted with , then regretted has passed ... but " Who knows" in God's new Kingdom , we may meet up again 🤞

[@rosskelly8045]

I'm Ben kerr love you Bob!!!!!!

[@tonyrowland4479]

I love his voice, he is a fantastic singer. He hits all the notes.😂

[@pryani2188]

My daughter is almost 4... ❤

[@electraruby4078]

Will anyone appear in these strange times with the transformative power of the young Dylan?

[@missgrinsebacke6335]

❤

[@petergrundy8081]

How do write something like that where does it come from awesomeness that's what it is

[@darlincommitme]

In part it was inspired by his relationship to Joan Baez. Two poets colliding

[@elstonngunn4193]

darlincommitme nah Allen Ginsberg was his biggest inspiration one of the greatest poets of the 20th century colliding with another poetic behemoth, Baez was gud but Ginsberg was better

[@darlincommitme]

@@elstonngunn4193 You are missing the point. The song is about Baez.

[@annegodfrey2351]

v great

[@raygarafano3633]

A gr8 song I'm doing it on a Korg keyboard. A lot more here than poetry lots of insight Lots of people out there who want control and manipul8.

[@neilherbert2909]

definately the best dylan song

[@kamaladrake2574]

Yasss

[@nicolecperugini]

All my favorite singers couldn't sing. -DB

[@davorjakara]

Genije 😅

[@shannonkringen]

oh wow i had never heard this song until now! 2018! new to me!

[@mpble5376]

haha Im not the only one then Shannon! :)

[@kelvinbolton9395]

Shannon Kringen wow you have a lifetime off classic music to catch up on..... I am almost jealous but I have been here for over 60 years and Dylan has been there for over 40 of them .... enjoy the ride x

[@stevenaragon4412]

you have a lot of catching up to do little one

[@imannonymous7707]

Id forever talk to you but soon my words would become a meaningless ring . And deep in my heart ,i know, i cant change a thing

[@marakaretsos5204]

🎼⭐️⭐️

[@SIRENTAROT]

Will always remind me of Joe Pachinko. ✴💖✴

[@henriquefonseca3230]

💓

[@geebud1880]

Yipp - this one is very fine fo me and my harp in D - very happy

[@marakaretsos5204]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@luizroque4114]

Esta e o tipo da música que quando ouso tenho vontade de morrer me bate uma saudade um no na garganta ai não tem jeito e comer cana

[@marakaretsos5204]

🎶🎼⭐️

[@marakaretsos5204]

🌲🎼⭐️

[@zhiyarali557]

What is this version called? please. i have the album one. but ain't amazing as this.

[@steviesteele]

This is a live version, sounds a lot like Newport Folk Festival 1964 only sung faster, so I'd guess one of the earlier live bootlegs (pre 1965/66, which are now all fairly well documented)

[@ronchapman6525]

This is believable.

[@chellew5071]

And there's no use in trying to deal with the dying ...

[@schiple]

Waylon Jennings wrote a song called Anita It's Over...Dylan was influenced I am certain

[@patrickscanlan1016]

Waylon's song was recorded in 1966; "To Ramona" was recorded in 1964. could be the other way around, or maybe they both heard a third song. they are similar for sure.

[@JAYFD2929]

You need to check the calendar, Dylan influenced by Wayne Jennings! His influences go back much further than that!

[@geebud1880]

And guys - did you know this song is based on a traditional MEXICAN WALZz. ..Check all of Bobbies Ramona vids.. soo beatitfull too!

[@chellew5071]

Though I can't explain that in lines...STRIKES CHORDS

[@reverendrider]

He totally jacked this from "The Last Letter" (Rex Griffin) Rock it Bob! Immature artists imitate mature artists steal. I'm gonna play Rex's song, then just bleed into "Ramona" (short drive) there won't be a dry panty in the house. Going into my live lineup. brilliant. I've always loved this song, but with a Rex and a Dylan backer the cocktail is complete. Thanks for the upload.

[@cookiecazares6352]

I'm a Ramona 😃 Whoever is a Ramona like my comment!! I want to know how many Ramonas exist!!

[@KatieWilliamsILM]

makes me think of the current state of American affairs vs my dream of freedom, love, kindness, strength of diversity: " it grieves my heart love to see you trying to be a part of a world that just don't exist It's all just a scheme babe a vacuum a dream babe that sucks you into feeling like this....."

[@KatieWilliamsILM]

brilliant song. love you Bob!

[@hefianea]

Vicky, Your magnetic movements still capture the minutes I'm in.

[@mattjarmyn9797]

And there's no use in tryin' To deal with the dyin' Though I cannot explain that in lines

[@Roo2o]

Shit it's me

[@Johnnyfive55]

You dads a Dylan fan?

[@patriciathewisher2315]

Someday maybe….

[@2468pebble]

How old was he when he wrote this? Most people would be glad to write something so mature when they were...more mature.

[@darlincommitme]

He was in his early 20s.

[@SN2903]

22