You Ain't Going Nowhere

Album: The Basement Tapes (1967)
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  • Cloud so swift the rain fallin' in
    Gonna see a movie called Gunga Din
    Pack up your money, pull up your tent in the wind
    You ain't a goin' no where

    Hoo wee, ride me high
    Tomorrow's the day my brides a'gonna come
    Hoo wee, are we gonna fly
    Down into the easy chair

    Genghis Khan and his brother Don
    Couldn't keep on keepin' on
    We'll climb that bridge after it's gone
    After we're way past it

    Hoo wee, ride me high
    Tomorrow's the day my bride's a'gonna come
    Hoo wee, are we gonna fly
    Down into the easy chair, yeah

    Buy me some rings and a gun that sings
    A flute that toots and a bee that stings
    A sky that cries and a bird that flies
    A fish that walks and a dog that talks

    Hoo wee, ride me high
    Tomorrow's the day my bride's a'gonna come
    Hoo wee, are we gonna fly
    Down into the easy chair

    Hoo wee, ride me high
    Tomorrow's the day my bride's a'gonna come
    Hoo wee, are we gonna fly
    Down into the easy chair Writer/s: Bob Dylan
    Publisher: O/B/O DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Jennifur Sunyou all need to check out Roger singing this with Marty Stuart(who has Clarence Whites guitar and Roger had a cool white blinged out Rick
  • Doug from MaineInteresting note there, Jo. I knew Bob has made up a bunch of different lyrics for it over the years, mostly in that stream-of-consciousness way that he does so well, but didn't know about the reference to the Everlys.
    I performed it at an open mic on New Year's Day, and did the line about "pack up/pick up" the way McGuinn did it (and I played a 12-string), and threw in "Dylan" at the end as Kevin mentioned. The audience enjoyed it.
  • Jo from So Tx, TxGengis Khan and brother named Don is a reference to the Everly brothers at times contentious relationship that ened their performing together for around 10 years
  • Kevin from Reading , PaMcGuinn returns the favor in a late '80s version he and Chris Hillman cut with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band for their "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." McGuinn sings, "pack up your money pull up your tent, Dyl-an, you ain't a goin' nowhere."

    It may be Dylan's song, but McGuinn does it best, and continues to perform it to this day in his solo acoustic shows.
  • Jonathan from Armorel, ArRoger McGuinn of The Byrds buggered a line, transposing the words "pack" and "pick"...so, on a rerecording of the song for GREATEST HITS 2, Dylan sort of calls him out: "Pack up your money, pick up your tent, McGuinn--you ain't goin' nowhere!". All in good fun, of course....
  • Genghis Khan from Little Pee Pee, CanadaThis is an amazing song. I'm shocked there are no comments on it. I can't believe how a song this beautiful is so overlooked. "Get your mind off wintertime, 'cause you aint goin nowhere..."
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