Ain't Talkin'
Bob Dylan
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As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain Someone hit me from behind Ain't talkin', just walkin' Through this weary world of woe Heart burnin', still yearnin' No one on earth would ever know They say prayer has the power to heal So pray from the mother In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell I am a-tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others But oh, mother, things ain't going well Ain't talkin', just walkin' I'll burn that bridge before you can cross Heart burnin', still yearnin' There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost Now I'm all worn down by weeping My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry If I catch my opponents ever sleeping I'll just slaughter 'em where they lie Ain't talkin', just walkin' Through the world mysterious and vague Heart burnin', still yearnin' Walkin' through the cities of the plague Well, the whole world is filled with speculation The whole wide world which people say is round They will tear your mind away from contemplation They will jump on your misfortune when you're down Ain't talkin', just walkin' Eatin' hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town Heart burnin', still yearnin' Some day you'll be glad to have me around They will crush you with wealth and power Every waking moment you could crack I'll make the most of one last extra hour I'll avenge my father's death then I'll step back Ain't talkin', just walkin' Hand me down my walkin' cane Heart burnin', still yearnin' Got to get you out of my miserable brain All my loyal and my much-loved companions They approve of me and share my code I practice a faith that's been long abandoned Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road Ain't talkin', just walkin' My mule is sick, my horse is blind Heart burnin', still yearnin' Thinkin' 'bout that gal I left behind Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin' Fame and honor never seem to fade The fire gone out but the light is never dyin' Who says I can't get heavenly aid? Ain't talkin', just walkin' Carryin' a dead man's shield Heart burnin', still yearnin' Walkin' with a toothache in my heel The sufferin' is unending Every nook and cranny has its tears I'm not playing, I'm not pretending I'm not nursin' any superfluous fears Ain't talkin', just walkin' Walkin' ever since the other night Heart burnin', still yearnin' Walkin' 'til I'm clean out of sight As I walked out in the mystic garden On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon There's no one here, the gardener is gone Ain't talkin', just walkin' Up the road, around the bend Heart burnin', still yearnin' In the last outback at the world's end
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Album DetailsThe song "Ain't Talkin'" by Bob Dylan is the final track on his 32nd studio album "Modern Times," which was released in 2006.
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Song Duration"Ain't Talkin'" is the longest song on "Modern Times," with a duration of 8 minutes 48 seconds.
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Lyrics and ThemesThe song is known for its powerful, introspective lyrics exploring themes like betrayal, loneliness, and spirituality.
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Musical Style"Ain't Talkin'" leans toward the folk-blues genre, typical of Dylan's style. It stands out for its haunting violin accompaniment and Dylan's mellow vocals.
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Critical ReceptionCritics hailed "Ain't Talkin'" as one of Dylan's most poignant and profound songs, with "Rolling Stone" calling it "stunningly beautiful."
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Live PerformancesDespite the popularity of "Ain't Talkin'," Bob Dylan has rarely performed the song live, adding to its enigmatic appeal among fans.
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Similarity to an Older SongAccording to some music scholars, the melodic structure of "Ain't Talkin'" borrows from an older song called "Highway of Regret” by The Stanley Brothers.
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Self-ProductionLike the rest of the "Modern Times" album, "Ain't Talkin'" was produced by Bob Dylan himself under the pseudonym Jack Frost.
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Chart PerformanceWhile "Ain't Talkin'" didn't chart as a single, the "Modern Times" album debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200, making Dylan, at age 65, the oldest artist to ever debut at the top of the chart.
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Grammy Award"Modern Times" won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album in 2007, marking another notable achievement for the album where "Ain't Talkin'" features.
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Citation
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"Ain't Talkin' Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 13 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/652411/Bob+Dylan/Ain%27t+Talkin%27>.
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