Narrow Way

Album: Tempest (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This seven and a half minute grinding, riff-driven blues tune finds Dylan suffering with woman trouble. He scorns his unfaithful lady with such lines as, "You're an idiot, babe. It's a wonder that you still know how to breathe," only to hear a voice at song's end telling him, "Be gentle brother, be gentle and pray."
  • The song's refrain of it being "a long road" and a "long and narrow way," is perhaps a reference to Jesus' teaching in his Sermon on the Mount concerning the narrow road that his followers travel on. Rather than going on the broad road that many go on, which leads to destruction, Jesus said the more difficult and unpopular way is the narrow one that leads to life.
  • According to Will Hermes' review in Rolling Stone, the song borrows its chorus from the Mississippi Sheiks' 1934 blues "You'll Work Down to Me Someday."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Motley Crue

Motley CrueFact or Fiction

Was Dr. Feelgood a dentist? Did the "Crüecifixion" really happen?

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.