Not Dark Yet

Bob Dylan · Other Songs - Bob Dylan

Shadows are falling and I've been here all day
It's too hot to sleep time is running away
Feel like my soul has turned into steel
I've still got the scars that the sun didn't heal
There's not even room enough to be anywhere
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there

Well my sense of humanity has gone down the drain
Behind every beautiful thing there's been some kind of pain
She wrote me a letter and she wrote it so kind
She put down in writing what was in her mind
I just don't see why I should even care
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there

Well, I've been to London and I've been to gay Paris
I've followed the river and I got to the sea
I've been down on the bottom of a world full of lies
I ain't looking for nothing in anyone's eyes
Sometimes my burden is more than I can bear
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there

I was born here and I'll die here against my will
I know it looks like I'm moving, but I'm standing still
Every nerve in my body is so vacant and numb
I can't even remember what it was I came here to get away from
Don't even hear a murmur of a prayer
It's not dark yet, but it's getting there.

Not Dark Yet - Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan's 'Not Dark Yet' stands as a pivotal moment in his 1979 comeback, marking a return to his folk-rock roots after years of experimental work. Recorded for the album Slow Train Coming, the track blends acoustic guitar with a driving rhythm section to create an anthem of resilience. The song reflects Dylan's personal journey through the late 1970s, addressing themes of hope and the enduring light within darkness. Its inclusion on the album signaled a shift toward a more traditional sound, resonating with fans who had waited for his return to the stage. The recording remains a testament to his ability to craft intimate yet powerful narratives that define his legacy in American music.