LYRICS & MUSIC BY BOB DYLAN
| Introduction |
|
Guitar |
| Dylan |
1. |
If you're traveling in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to the one who lives there
She once was a true love of mine. |
|
2. |
If you go when the snowflakes storm
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see she has a coat so warm
To keep her from the howlin' winds. |
|
3. |
Please see if her hair hangs long
If it rolls and flows all down her breast
Please see from me if her hair's hanging long
For that's the way I remember her best. |
|
4. |
I'm a-wonderin' if she remembers me at all
Many times I've often prayed
In the darkness of my night
In the brightness of my day. |
| Bridge |
|
Harrmonica |
|
5. |
So if you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
For she once was a true love of mine. |
| Close |
|
Harmonica |
Official Sony Music Lyrics at
nnn
|
ANNOTATION
Source/Precedents
Based on Martin Carthy (arrangement) : Scarborough Fair
(Traditional)
Bob Dylan toured England in December 1962, this track recorded
April 24, 1963.
Mellers: A Backdrop: 'a rehash of Scarborough Fair...in
traditional folk style, a message to his
girl by way of a third party' pp 127 |
Comments
| 1. |
First of the major love songs, this hinging on the performance negating
the common implication of was once. |
| 2. |
Four Bob Dylan alternative versions, all interesting. The song has
often appeared in live performance.Also compare and contrast Boots
of Spanish Leather. |
| 3. |
|
| 4. |
|
| 5. |
|
| 6. |
|
The Critics
Notes
|
north country and (Canadian/USA) borderline indicative of
an early romance in Bob Dylan's hometown, Hibbing/Duluth Minnesota.'Echo
Helstrom Hibbing girlfriend : subject of The Girl From the North
Country, and maybe of Hazel.' Gray and
Bauldie Telegraph pp 271. |
|
fair is lyrically incongruous and is a remnant from the source Scarborough
Fair. |
|
ALTERNATIVE RECORDINGS
Bob Dylan
Other Artists
| 1. |
Martin Carthy : Scarborough Fair ? |
| 2. |
Paul Simon : Scarborough Fair/Canticle. Appears on PARSLEY,
SAGE, ROSEMARY
AND THYME , (September 1966) and many
compilations. |
| 3. |
Joe Cocker MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN, (1970) with Leon Russell.
Also on the compilation CD: THE SONGS OF
BOB DYLAN, Sequel Records1993 |
| 4. |
Pete Townshend: North Country Girl. - an interesting
post- nuclear holocaust version.
Appears on ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE
EYES 198x. |
For extensive information on alternate versions see Olof
Björner's excellent ...
It
Ain’t Me, Babe
|
RECORDING DETAILS
| Recorded: |
24 April 1963 |
| Release Date : |
27 May 1963 |
| Published : |
|
| Studio: |
Columbia Studio A, New York, New York, U.S.A. |
| Master Number: |
CO 78487 |
| Take: |
1 |
| Producer: |
Tom Wilson |
| Engineer/s: |
|
| Company: |
CBS |
| Record Number : |
|
| CD Number: |
|
| Record: |
Side A Track 2 (Date) |
| CD: |
Track 2 (Date) |
| Time: |
3.20 minutes |
Musicians:
| Bob Dylan |
Vocals/Guitar/Harmonica |
All Recording Data usually from Record /Compact Disc Cover,
and
Clinton Heylin, Dylan : Behind Closed Doors - The Recording Sessions
1960-1994
Penguin Books 1996
|
