I always saw this song as Bob shaking someone violently to wake them up, and telling them to get moving before it's too late. The past is dead and buried. Move on. Now. This is one of the songs that first made me realize how powerful and uncompromising he was. I've been a fan ever since.

That song is cool!

Bob is the man!

Great song.

"Crying like a fire in the sun". Great lyric!

You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last.
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast.
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun,
Crying like a fire in the sun.
Look out the saints are comin through
And its all over now, baby blue.

The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense.
Take what you have gathered from coincidence.
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets.
The sky, too, is folding under you
And its all over now, baby blue.

All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home.
All your reindeer armies, are all going home.
Your lover who just walked out the door
Has taken all his blankets from the floor.
The carpet, too, is moving under you
And its all over now, baby blue.

Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you.
Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you.
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore.
Strike another match, go start anew
And its all over now, baby blue.
[Edited 4/27/08 8:38am]