A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Bob Dylan 1963

Oh, where have you been, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, where have you been, my darling young one?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I've crawled on six crooked highways
I've stepped in the middle of seven sad forests
I've been out in front of a dozen dead oceans
I've been ten thousand miles in the mouth of a graveyard
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, and it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fallOh, what did you see, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what did you see, my darling young one?
I saw a newborn baby with wild wolves all around it
I saw a highway of diamonds with nobody on it
I saw a black branch with blood that kept drippin'
I saw a room full of men with their hammers a-bleedin'
I saw a white ladder all covered with water
I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken
I saw guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fallAnd what did you hear, my blue-eyed son?
And what did you hear, my darling young one?
I heard the sound of a thunder, it roared out a warnin'
Heard the roar of a wave that could drown the whole world
Heard one person starve, I heard many people laughin'
Heard the song of a poet who died in the gutter
Heard the sound of a clown who cried in the alley
And it's a hard, and it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
And it's a hard rain's a-gonna fallOh, who did you meet, my blue-eyed son?
Who did you meet, my darling young one?
I met a young child beside a dead pony
I met a white man who walked a black dog
I met a young woman whose body was burning
I met a young girl, she gave me a rainbow
I met one man who was wounded in love
I met another man who was wounded with hatred
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fallOh, what'll you do now, my blue-eyed son?
Oh, what'll you do now, my darling young one?
I'm a-goin' back out 'fore the rain starts a-fallin'
I'll walk to the depths of the deepest black forest
Where the people are many and their hands are all empty
Where the pellets of poison are flooding their waters
Where the home in the valley meets the damp dirty prison
Where the executioner's face is always well-hidden
Where hunger is ugly, where souls are forgotten
Where black is the color, where none is the number
And I'll tell it and think it and speak it and breathe it
And reflect it from the mountain so all souls can see it
Then I'll stand on the ocean until I start sinkin'
But I'll know my song well before I start singin'
And it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard, it's a hard
It's a hard rain's a-gonna fall

handyrae wrote: You mean like the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy show should do a Bob Dylan makeover?

She manages to eviscerate Dylan's song of its soul and energy.

loud_family_fan wrote: It's much easier to understand the words on her version; and despite the remarks here, she sings well.

Dylan's hard to cover, and this one falls flat to my ears. Gee Bil, wish you'd add some of those Jimmy LaFave Dylan covers I've uploaded. He's the ultimate Dylan interpreter.

Gee... I'm surprised at all the trashing of EB. She can sing. She stands on her own, with or without Mr. Simon. The accompaniment is just fine on this tune. Perhaps some feel only a male voice should cover this?

I saw Edie B in concert way back when and it was a surprisingly good concert. Her voice is a little thin but it held up well thoughout the whole concert. The New Bohemians are a great band. Opening act was Blue Rodeo, remember them? It was an enjoyable evening.

Great song, terrible cover. Why would someone with so little talent think that her version would add anything of value?

It's a hard pain's a-gonna call.

shutter wrote: I'm sorry, but I think Dylan could really benefit from some beautification. Definately some exfoliation, botox and deep conditioning for the hair.

Death_to_Clear_Channel wrote: Not only is he ineligible for beautification he's precluded from beatification

If it hadn't been for hubby Paul Simon, Brickell would have remained in obscurity--which is where she belongs. This song rates a solid 2.

Horrible vocal performance, the little off-key emphasis on some words really grates on my ears. Add to that the repitive, boring, everything that was wrong with the 80's intrumentals, and you have the makings of a craptastic song. Wind chimes? Wind chimes!? This song needs less wind chimes and more cowbells.

Posted 18 years ago by kame    [ Reply ]

I was recently at a coffee house held at my daughter's high school. Every one of those kids sang better than this. I'll leave Dylan out of this one.

ScottN wrote: "St. Dylan?" Unfortunately Mr. Zimmerman, by religious default is ineligible for beautification.

algrif wrote: Thanks for saying what should be said.

Vogelfrei wrote:... Me too, but I'm not sorry ... ... just wet behind the ears! ...

You know Dylan cover or not, everytime I hear from her I get the same reaction. "You've got to be kidding!"

Of course she can cover this song. Any good singer can do it justice. Just because it is Dylans most famous song doesn't make it untouchable!!

I've definately heard some great Dylan covers, so I know I'm not a purist...but this does just kinda feel wrong!

Time to stop all the prostletizing. Let's bring Bob back down to earth. Dylan is no saint. Never was, never will be. Now, I'm no Edie Brikell fan, but this song certainly isn't sacrilegious.

to say that any song is beyond covering is just plain ridiculous. "sorry, mr. hendrix but all along the watchtower is off limits. you will have to find something else." but i will say i'm glad this little troupe fell off the face of the earth.

Eh. I never thought she was all that, but luckily for her Paul Simon disagreed with me.

Sorry, Dylan purists, but I really enjoy Brickell's cover of this.

Angloray wrote: I think this track is switch-to-the-LRC awful, but I also think it goes too far to say that no one should cover this song. I can imagine someone else doing a good job with this.

Never cared for Edie, but I've got to say this is a nice cover. I don't see it as a slam to Dylan at all.

I mostly avoid emoticons, but this drivel demands an exception: It's not that St. Bob can't be covered. Many have done so and quite well. But what a mistake to think this version has smth to offer.

Man this is awful. She's singing this but there is no emotion to her voice, like she's singing it from the lyric sheet and wondering how much the studio time is charging against her account. And the bongos??

what's the point?

no no no! There are some songs you just DON'T cover!

algrif wrote: Dylan brilliant...yes...Edie Brickell version of this Masterpiece...no ... I like some of her other songs but she should have left this one well alone ..peace!

crowhog2000 wrote: What's the matter? Dylan wrote a brilliant song here. But this is a fine rendering of it. As stated below, this version introduces the song to a new generation.

it's a hard....it's a hard.....it's a HARD time listening to this sacrilegious drivel.... !

sorry, this just doesn't do it for me. This is a great song, and she just flattens its punch with the plodding rhythm and her too-sweet voice. buh-bye.

I had no idea Edie & co. had covered this. I rarely can dredge up enough interest to watch Tom Cruise vehicles ... perhaps I'll check out this flick after all. Meanwhile, thanks for the meta-Dylan fix!

If EBATNBohemians hadn't covered this, it wouldn't have introduced another generation of listeners to this important song. Kind of makes me think of the revulsion I felt when Madonna covered "American Pie" by Don McLean. It's short term pain for long term gain. Maybe the new listeners will return to the original works...

I guess I like the authenticity of imperfection. Cafe music... I like it.

thewiseking wrote: ditto, girlfriend just doesn't have the chops for this one.

Jeez...2

goddamn this is amateurish. sorry edie. this does not work

I've always wondered what happened to them. I found their original sound quite refreshing but not worthy enough to be anyone's favorate band....but then, I don't want to get too deep.

Man, enough with the Dylan covers. Overrated singer singing overrated song written by overrated artist. Uuuuuuuuuuughh...

BooKitty wrote: I agree that she's married to one of the greatest songwriters, but there is nothing wrong with covering Dylan. He, too, is one of the greatest songwriters, and bringing his music back into the limelight (which this did when it came out) is always okay.

She's married to one of the greatest songwriters of all time. Paul Simon should write her some stuff so she doesn't have to rip Dylan.

Anybody heard Leon Russell's version?

Bob's voice really went with the tone of the song. This person's doesn't. In fact, it kind of ruins it.

Like it.

agrees with moshevelvul

it's ok....kinda probably 'cause I sorta wanted to have sex with her when the Bohemians album came out. Is that so wrong?

I think she does a great job, no offense to Bob.

love this song. this is a great version.

Shesdifferent wrote: Yep, I agree. Love it more than Dylan's one, and much more than the version by Bryan Ferry & Roxy Music.

I Prefer BOB!... =; DON'T TOUCH BOB 8)

Fnords wrote: I add my voice to the chorus. NOT THE RIGHT VOICE!

I think this version of the song is better than any others!

Great song, good voice, but wrong voice for this song.

Great voice of course...but not for this one...sorry...

Sorry, she just doesn't measure up on this one, IMHO. :headshake:

This was also on the soundtrack for "Born on the 4th of July" - which makes it pack more of a punch for me.

I bet Bob comes over and has dinner with Edie and husband Paul Simon...

JokesandJokesandJokes wrote: You know, I get a kick out of almost every post that you put up. Truly Jokes and Jokes and Jokes...... keep up the funny!

UGH

JokesandJokesandJokes wrote: ROFLMAO

I don't care what anyone else says - I really like this version. Her voice is like Bob Dylan's, not brilliant technically, but unique and interesting - with a Bob Dylan song it works well (IMHO).

JokesandJokesandJokes wrote:

You know, this is one of the songs on which Dylan's song-writing skills do much less than usual to make up for his lack of singing skills. You'd think somebody could do a way, way better version than Bob's . . . but this isn't quite it.

Yeah, EB & NB on RP!

I bet Bob Dylan is turning over in his grave! Oh wait he's not dead

I feel like I should be in the front row at a folk festival. Stinky, Birkenstock-wearin', tofu-totin', stony angry cause-heads everywhere. Excellent.

MsfStl wrote: You'd make a better beer coozie. Go back to the Ozarks, Chauvinist!

This sounds like Edie Brickell. Hmm, well I'll be, it is. I think she makes a better mom than a singer. (pimp)

I didn't know it was a cover but What a Voice!

A so-so cover of a fantastic song.

Always liked this rarely-played cover. Probably because I fell in love with her quirky voice with Shooting Rubberbands. She doesn't quite adapt it and make it her own, this is pretty faithful. But pleasing. To my eary anyhoo.

And it's hard And it's hard to listen to this that is

Gawd but her voice grates on my nerves! Ack! Make this go away.

not bad but she sounds like she has a bad cold.

I like it. .

Yeah, my first uploaded song played on RP!!!! What a great track. From the "Born on the Fourth of July" soundtrack, this is a great cover of a Dylan song which Edie has done justice to with her great style and voice.

I've never been a big Edie fan, but I actually like this. But then again, the version of this song I'm used to is by Roxy Music....

Call me crazy ... she sounds like Bjork. Still married to Paul Simon?

I love Paul Simon, so I want to like Edie's voice here, but I just find it kind of grating...