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Subject: The Weight
Does anyone know what the story is behind the lyrics to The Weight by The Band?
Thanks, cs
Subject: Re: The Weight
Here are the lyrics from The Band's "The Weight"
I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
``Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?''
He just grinned and shook my hand, ``No'' was all he said
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side
I said ``Hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown''
She said ``I gotta go but my friend can stick around''
Go down Miss Moses, there's nothing you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the judgement day
``Well, Luke my friend, what about young Anna-Lee?''
He said ``Do me a favour son, won't you stay and keep Anna-Lee company?''
Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
He said ``I will fix your rat 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?''
Catch a cannonball now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking 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
Subject: Re: The Weight
Thanks, I know the lyrics, I just am terrible when it comes to deciphering what they (musicians) are really talking about in a song. Maybe someone reading it will have some thoughts.
Like who's Carmen? Is he really referring to the devil or is that code for a drug? What's the deal about the dog - feed him when you can?
It took somebody to tell me that The Rooster by STP(?) was story about somebody's dad during the war. And that another song that I can't think of the name of was about how veal is produced. I'm dense when it comes to this stuff. ::)
Subject: Re: The Weight
Well, that's what I'd normally use songmeanings for. Unfortunately, the information isn't there. I'll check again IDC.
Subject: Re: The Weight
Quoting:
It took somebody to tell me that The Rooster by STP(?) was story about somebody's dad during the war. And that another song that I can't think of the name of was about how veal is produced.
End Quote
I think Rooster was by Alice In Chains.
How veal is produced?! Yikes! It reminds me of the saying "People who love sausages or the law should not watch either of them being produced" :D
Subject: Re: The Weight
The first line is how the band Nazareth got its name. :)
Quoting:
Here are the lyrics from The Band's "The Weight"
I pulled in to Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
``Hey mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?''
He just grinned and shook my hand, ``No'' was all he said
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me
I picked up my bag, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw Carmen and the Devil walking side by side
I said ``Hey Carmen, come on, let's go downtown''
She said ``I gotta go but my friend can stick around''
Go down Miss Moses, there's nothing you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the judgement day
``Well, Luke my friend, what about young Anna-Lee?''
He said ``Do me a favour son, won't you stay and keep Anna-Lee company?''
Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
He said ``I will fix your rat 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?''
Catch a cannonball now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking 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
End Quote
Subject: Re: The Weight
Here you Go:
http://theband.hiof.no/articles/the_weight_viney.html
Subject: Re: The Weight
Heh heh. cs gets Alice in Chains mixed up with Stone Temple Pilots once again. ;D
"Rooster" is about guitarist Jerry Cantrell's father's Vietnam experience. Jerry Snr. was, apparently, known as "The Rooster"; the song is written from his perspective.
Subject: Re: The Weight
Quoting:
Take a load off, Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off, Fanny
And you put the load right on me
End Quote
When that song was covered here in Oz, they changed Fanny's name to Annie. Heh heh heh.
Oh by the way, I believe the lyrics are a religious allegory, hence references to Nazareth, Luke, Moses etc.
Subject: Re: The Weight
Thinking about it, I'm sure it was Annie here too (in the cover, at least).
Subject: Re: The Weight
Quoting:
Heh heh. cs gets Alice in Chains mixed up with Stone Temple Pilots once again. ;D
End Quote
I wonder why I keep doing that? Maybe Freud has the answer...
Subject: Re: The Weight
Quoting:
Here you Go:
http://theband.hiof.no/articles/the_weight_viney.html
End Quote
Thanks screwball, very interesting read.