"Shelter From The Storm" lyrics

"Shelter From The Storm"

'Twas in another lifetime one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue, the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness a creature void of form
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

And if I pass this way again you can rest assured
I'll always do my best for her on that I give my word
In a world of steel-eyed death and men who are fighting to be warm
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Not a word was spoke between us there was little risk involved
Everything up to that point had been left unresolved
Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

I was burned out from exhaustion buried in the hail
Poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail
Hunted like a crocodile ravaged in the corn
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Suddenly I turned around and she was standing there
With silver bracelets on her wrists and flowers in her hair
She walked up to me so gracefully and took my crown of thorns
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Now there's a wall between us something there's been lost
I took too much for granted, I got my signals crossed
Just to think that it all began on an uneventful morn
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Well the deputy walks on hard nails and the preacher rides a mount
But nothing really matters much it's doom alone that counts
And the one-eyed undertaker he blows a futile horn
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

I've heard newborn babies wailing like a mourning dove
And old men with broken teeth stranded without love
Do I understand your question man, is it hopeless and forlorn?
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

In a little hilltop village they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence, I got repaid with scorn
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"

Well I'm living in a foreign country but I'm bound to cross the line
Beauty walks a razor's edge someday I'll make it mine
If I could only turn back the clock to when God and her were born
"Come in," she said
"I'll give you shelter from the storm"


Thanks to Dan, Rhonda, bob for correcting these lyrics.
Writer(s): Bob Dylan
This song was written by Bob Dylan during a creative period in his life following the divorce with his wife Sara Dylan.
The original title of "Shelter From The Storm" was "Up To Me", but Bob Dylan re-wrote the lyrics keeping the same melody. "Up To Me" was recorded by Roger McGuinn.
The lines "I offered up my innocence. I got repaid with scorn." are a reference to the Bible, Like 23, where Pilates declares that Jesus Christ is innocent.
There is an acoustic version of this song released on the "The Bootleg Series Vol. I-III" in 1991.
The film "Jerry Maguire" (1996) features the first take of this song on its soundtrack. The same take was also featured on "The Best of Bob Dylan" (1997).
This track was used in the 2013 film "Warm Bodies".