Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands
Bob Dylan
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
With your mercury mouth in the missionary times, And your eyes like smoke and your prayers like rhymes, And your silver cross, and your voice like chimes, Oh, do they think could bury you? With your pockets well protected at last, And your streetcar visions which you place on the grass, And your flesh like silk, and your face like glass, Who could they get to carry you? Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands, Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes, My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums, Should I put them by your gate, Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait? With your sheets like metal and your belt like lace, And your deck of cards missing the jack and the ace, And your basement clothes and your hollow face, Who among them can think he could outguess you? With your silhouette when the sunlight dims Into your eyes where the moonlight swims, And your match-book songs and your gypsy hymns, Who among them would try to impress you? Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands, Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes, My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums, Should I put them by your gate, Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait? The kings of Tyrus with their convict list Are waiting in line for their geranium kiss, And you wouldn't know it would happen like this, But who among them really wants just to kiss you? With your childhood flames on your midnight rug, And your Spanish manners and your mother's drugs, And your cowboy mouth and your curfew plugs, Who among them do you think could resist you? Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands, Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes, My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums, Should I leave them by your gate, Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait? Oh, the farmers and the businessmen, they all did decide To show you the dead angels that they used to hide. But why did they pick you to sympathize with their side? Oh, how could they ever mistake you? They wished you'd accepted the blame for the farm, But with the sea at your feet and the phony false alarm, And with the child of a hoodlum wrapped up in your arms, How could they ever, ever persuade you? Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands, Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes, My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums, Should I leave them by your gate, Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait? With your sheet-metal memory of Cannery Row, And your magazine-husband who one day just had to go, And your gentleness now, which you just can't help but show, Who among them do you think would employ you? Now you stand with your thief, you're on his parole With your holy medallion which your fingertips fold, And your saintlike face and your ghostlike soul, Oh, who among them do you think could destroy you? Sad-eyed lady of the lowlands, Where the sad-eyed prophet says that no man comes, My warehouse eyes, my Arabian drums, Should I leave them by your gate, Or, sad-eyed lady, should I wait?
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
14 facts about this song
Album Appearance"Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" is the final track on Bob Dylan's 1966 double album, "Blonde on Blonde."
|
Song DurationThe song is notably long, running at 11 minutes and 22 seconds, taking up the entire fourth side of the vinyl version of the album.
|
Song CompositionIt is said that Dylan repeatedly played the song to the musicians until they could follow and accompany him without the aid of any sheet music or written lyrics.
|
Tribute to His WifeDylan wrote this song as a tribute to his wife Sara Lownds. Her maiden name was Shirley Marlin Noznisky and she had changed her name before meeting Dylan.
|
Mysterious LyricsLike many Dylan songs, the lyrics of "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" can be viewed as surreal and highly poetic, creating vivid and unusual imagery.
|
Song AnalysisThe song is often seen as being divided into thirds, encompassing his wife Sara’s past, present, and future.
|
Unique RecordingThis song was recorded in a single take at 4 a.m. in the early morning hours of February 16, 1966.
|
Musicians' AdaptationDue to its length, the musicians adopted a slower, more subdued style of playing to pace themselves throughout the recording.
|
Fellow Musicians' AppreciationRenowned artists like Patti Smith and Joan Baez have covered and appreciated the song for its depth and lyrical poise. Smith even titled her version as "Elegie" and Baez covered it on the tribute album to Bob Dylan, "Any Day Now."
|
Debate on LengthThe song's length was seen as controversial at the time, causing some debate among Dylan's record company and producers. However, Dylan insisted on it being included onto the album in its entirety.
|
Recognition"Rolling Stone" magazine placed the song at #290 on their list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time."
|
Revisit in LyricsIn Dylan’s 1975 song “Sara,” he refers back to "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands," with a lyric, "Stayin' up for days in the Chelsea Hotel, Writin' 'Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands' for you."
|
Critic's ViewsSome critical interpretations say the song is an exploration of Dylan's complex feelings towards his wife, which includes awe, love, and fear.
|
Song InfluenceIts length and style helped pave the way for other longer-form songs in popular music.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 13 Feb. 2025. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1944351/Bob+Dylan/Sad+Eyed+Lady+of+the+Lowlands>.
Discuss the Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In