Absolutely Sweet Marie

OK, I am playing your game! I don't usually try to analyze Dylan songs I just like to experience them.......the art the music gives to me personally. I heard this song when it came out and I always heard it as a guy obsessing about a woman. I also realize it could have a lot to do with some bad drugs too. With Dylan songs there are usually many faucets to a line....so here goes with a grain of salt:

Well, your railroad gate, you know I just can't jump it
(I want Marie but I can't get into her bag)
Sometimes it gets so hard, you see
( In a romantic mood, you see)
I'm just sitting here beating on my trumpet
( being restless and romantic)
With all these promises you left for me
( Ya .Ya... she held me over, with a few laters)
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
( I want the promise) ( I want Marie)


Well, I waited for you when I was half sick
(Look what I did for you, guilt trip)
Yes, I waited for you when you hated me
( more guilt trip)
Well, I waited for you inside of the frozen traffic
(More guilt trip)
When you knew I had some other place to be
(guilt trip)
( I did what circumstances required)
Now, where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
( I want the promise, now!)

Well, anybody can be just like me, obviously
( people who wait)
But then, now again, not too many can be like you, fortunately.
( People that are being waited for)

Well, six white horses that you did promise
( Coming around the mountain on 6 white horses)
Were fin'lly delivered down to the penitentiary
( somebody had to pay the price)
But to live outside the law, you must be honest
( if you are going to do the deed ya gotta walk the talk)
I know you always say that you agree
But where are you tonight, sweet Marie?
( I want you )

Well, I don't know how it happened
But the river-boat captain, he knows my fate
( God knows my fate)
But ev'rybody else, even yourself
They're just gonna have to wait.
( Now YOU gotta wait)

Well, I got the fever down in my pockets
The Persian drunkard, he follows me
Yes, I can take him to your house but I can't unlock it
( I'm knockin but I can't get in)
You see, you forgot to leave me with the key
Oh, where are you tonight, sweet Marie?

Now, I been in jail when all my mail showed
( locked up )
That a man can't give his address out to bad company
(Can't trust some people)
And now I stand here lookin' at your yellow railroad
In the ruins of your balcony
( needle tracks with her life in ruins)
Wond'ring where you are tonight, sweet Marie.
( He is concerned for her, where she went) ( where did she go after she died)


There is one kind favor I ask of you
One kind favor I ask of you
One kind favor I ask of you
That you see that my grave is kept clean

If you ever hear a church bell toll
If you ever hear a church bell toll
If you ever hear a church bell toll
You may know by that I'm dead and gone

Well six white horses in a line
There's six white horses in a line
Six white horses in a line
Taking me to that burying ground

Now dig my grave with a silver spade
Now dig my grave with a silver spade
Dig my grave with a silver spade
And lay me down with a golden shovel

Now dig my grave with a silver spade
Now dig my grave with a silver spade
Dig my grave with a silver spade
And lay me down with a golden shovel

There is one kind favor I ask of you
One kind favor I ask of you
One kind favor I ask of you
That you see that my grave is kept clean

Linda