Girl From the North Country

Bob Dylan

About Girl From the North Country

"Girl from the North Country" (occasionally known as "Girl of the North Country") is a song written by Bob Dylan. It was recorded at Columbia Recording Studios in New York City in April 1963, and released the following month as the second track on Dylan's second studio album, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. Dylan re-recorded the song as a duet with Johnny Cash in February 1969. That recording became the opening track on Nashville Skyline, Dylan's ninth studio album. Live performances by Dylan appear on the albums Real Live (1984), The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration (1993; recorded 1992), The Bootleg Series Vol. 13: Trouble No More 1979–1981 (Deluxe Edition) (2017; recorded 1981), Live 1962-1966: Rare Performances From The Copyright Collections (2018; recorded 1964), and The Bootleg Series Vol. 15: Travelin' Thru, 1967-1969 (Deluxe Edition) (2019; recorded 1969). A February 1964 performance for Canadian television was included on the DVD release of Martin Scorsese's PBS television documentary on Dylan, No Direction Home in 2005. 


Year:
2016
3:18
110 
#1

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Well, if you're travelin' in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.

Well, if you go when the snowflakes storm,
When the rivers freeze and summer ends,
Please see if she's wearing a coat so warm,
To keep her from the howlin' winds.

Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
If it rolls and flows all down her breast.
Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
That's the way I remember her best.

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.

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.
She once was a true love of mine.

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Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

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Written by: Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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8 facts about this song

Historical Context
"Girl from the North Country" is a song written by Bob Dylan that appears twice on his discography. It was first introduced in his second studio album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" in 1963, and later in a duet with Johnny Cash in Dylan's ninth studio album, "Nashville Skyline" in 1969.
Artistic Influence
"Girl from the North Country" is heavily influenced by the traditional folk ballad, "Scarborough Fair." Dylan mentioned this in an interview, stating that the song was inspired by a British folk song he heard while visiting England.
Concept & Interpretation
The song talks about a long-lost love who lives in the North Country, the lyrics reflecting someone’s memories or dreams about a woman from the north. Many suggest it is about Dylan's early girlfriend, Echo Star Helstrom.
Collaboration with Johnny Cash
The version with Johnny Cash is probably the most acknowledged one. The duet was recorded at CBS Columbia Studios in Nashville and it features Cash on vocals while Dylan is on guitar and harmonica.
Connection to Literature
The lyrics allude to some of the themes of lost love, yearning, and remembrance found in classical literature. Some critics claim Dylan was influenced by the works of authors such as John Keats and Ernest Hemingway.
Popularity
"Girl from the North Country" has been covered by various artists throughout the years, including Leon Russell, Sting, and Sam Bush, demonstrating its popularity and timeless appeal.
Song's Reception
Both versions of "Girl from the North Country" received critical acclaim. The version with Johnny Cash from the album "Nashville Skyline" was particularly praised for the harmonizing vocals of Dylan and Cash.
Cultural Significance
More than just a song, "Girl from the North Country" was also used as the title for a musical by Conor McPherson that features the songs of Bob Dylan. The play premiered at London's Old Vic Theatre in 2017 and was later brought to Broadway.

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