4th Time Around
Bob Dylan
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When she said, "Don't waste your words, they're just lies," I cried she was deaf. And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes, Then said, "What else you got left?" It was then that I got up to leave But she said, "Don't forget, Everybody must give something back For something they get." I stood there and hummed, I tapped on her drum I asked her how come. And she buttoned her boot, And straightened her suit, Then she said, "Don't get cute." So I forced my hands in my pockets And felt with my thumbs, And gallantly handed her My very last piece of gum. She threw me outside, I stood in the dirt where everyone walked. And after finding I'd forgotten my shirt, I went back and knocked. I waited in the hallway, she went to get it, And I tried to make sense Out of that picture of you in your wheelchair That leaned up against Her Jamaican rum And when she did come, I asked her for some. She said, "No, dear." I said, "Your words aren't clear, You'd better spit out your gum." She screamed till her face got so red, Then she fell on the floor, And I covered her up and then Thought I'd go look through her drawer. And when I was through I filled up my shoe and brought it to you. And you, you took me in, You loved me then, you never wasted time. And I, I never took much, I never asked for your crutch And I don't ask for mine.
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
8 facts about this song
Album Release"4th Time Around" is a track on Bob Dylan's seventh studio album, "Blonde on Blonde", released in 1966.
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Genre ClassificationThe song falls into the folk-rock genre, similar to many of Dylan's songs during this period.
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Leonard Cohen's InspirationThis track reportedly inspired Leonard Cohen to start writing songs, leading to his iconic musical career.
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Beatles ConnectionThe song is thought to be a gentle parody or tribute to The Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" due to its similar melody and theme.
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Song Structure"4th Time Around" is distinguished by its circular, storytelling structure, a style representative of Dylan's intricate lyricism.
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Live PerformancesIt's not a song that Dylan often performs live. According to Dylan's own website, he has only performed "4th Time Around" live around 30 times.
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Writing StyleThe track showcases Dylan's nonlinear, poetic writing style, as it revolves around a series of unrelated actions culminating in an unexpected ending.
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Literary ReferencesSome critics speculate that the song's lyrics reference the story of Little Red Riding Hood.
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Citation
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"4th Time Around Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 9 Feb. 2025. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1944349/Bob+Dylan/4th+Time+Around>.
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