Ain't Talkin

Bob Dylan

About Ain't Talkin

"Ain't Talkin'" is a song written by Bob Dylan, appearing as the closing track on his album Modern Times, recorded in February 2006. It is the longest track of the album (8:48). The song derives its chorus words from the more up-tempo "Highway of Regret" by Don Anthony and Ralph Stanley. The lyrics of the first verse seem to be derived from the first verse of "As I Roved Out", a traditional Irish song, and with its line "through this weary world of woe" a nod to the traditional "Wayfaring Stranger. " Allmusic wrote about the song, "The great irony is in the final track, "Ain't Talkin'," where a lonesome fiddle, piano, and hand percussion spill out a gypsy ballad that states a yearning, that amounts to an unsatisfied spiritual hunger. The pilgrim wanders, walks, and aspires to do good unto others, though he falters often—he sometimes even wants to commit homicide. It's all part of the "trawl" of living in the world today."The Guardian writes,"The superlative final sally, 'Ain't Talkin', does what all last tracks should do: make you want to hear the whole thing again. It's a lengthy, mysterious blues-noir; virtually magic-realist in places."An alternate version of the song, from the same recording sessions, appeared on the 2008 Dylan compilation The Bootleg Series Vol. 8 – Tell Tale Signs: Rare and Unreleased 1989–2006. 


Year:
2013
8:48
105 
#2

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As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
Someone hit me from behind

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through this weary world of woe
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
No one on earth would ever know

They say prayer has the power to heal
So pray from the mother
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
I am a-tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others
But oh, mother, things ain't going well

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost

Now I'm all worn down by weeping
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I'll just slaughter 'em where they lie

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' through the cities of the plague

Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
The whole wide world which people say is round
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Eatin' hog eyed grease in a hog eyed town
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Some day you'll be glad to have me around

They will crush you with wealth and power
Every waking moment you could crack
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll revenge my father's death then I'll step back

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Hand me down my walkin' cane
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Got to get you out of my miserable brain

All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
My mule is sick, my horse is blind
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Thinkin' 'bout that gal I left behind

Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin'
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire gone out but the light is never dyin'
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Carryin' a dead man's shield
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' with a toothache in my heel

The sufferin' is unending
Every nook and cranny has its tears
I'm not playing, I'm not pretending
I'm not nursin' any superfluous fears

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Walkin' ever since the other night
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' 'til I'm clean out of sight

As I walked out in the mystic garden
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn
Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon
There's no one here, the gardener is gone

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Up the road, around the bend
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
In the last outback at the world's end

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Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

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Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Origin
"Ain't Talkin'" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan. It appeared on his 32nd studio album "Modern Times," which was released in 2006.
Track Position
It is the last, and longest song on the album with 8 minutes and 48 seconds duration.
Contemplative Nature
The song's monologue-style lyrics contemplate the hardships and moral complexities of the world, in a way only Bob Dylan can deliver.
Literary References
The lyrics in "Ain't Talkin'" show influences and references from different literary works. For instance, the last line of the song "In the last outback, at the world’s end", is a possible allusion to the novel "At the World’s End" by T. Coraghessan Boyle.
Musical Style
The background violin throughout the song is noted for adding to its haunting and mournful tone, making it unique among Dylan's works.
Cover Versions
Several artists have covered the song since its release. Notably, the Jerry Garcia Band included it in their live concert performances.
Critical Reception
Many critics have praised the song for its lyricism and dark, evocative storytelling. At the same time, it has also been described as one of Dylan's most mysterious songs due to its cryptic lyrics.
Dylan's Performance
In typical Dylan style, he has performed "Ain't Talkin'" differently in live shows compared to the studio recording. These versions often bring new meanings to the song.
Recurring Themes
The song prominently features themes of loneliness and longing, which are commonly found in Dylan's work throughout his career.
Notable Recognition
In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine named "Ain't Talkin'" as one of "The 100 Best Songs of the Decade".

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