When You Awake

The Band

About When You Awake

"When You Awake" is a song written by Robbie Robertson and Richard Manuel that was first released on The Band's 1969 self-titled album The Band. A live performance was included on the Bob Dylan and The Band live album Before the Flood.


Year:
1989
106 
#1

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Ollie told me I'm a fool
So I walked on down the road a mile
Went to the house that brings a smile
Sat upon my grandpa's knee
And what do you think he said to me?

When you awake you will remember everything
You will be hangin' on a string from your
When you believe
You will relieve the only soul that you were born with
To grow old and never know

Ollie showed me the fork in the road
You can take to the left or go straight to the right
Use your days and save your nights,
Be careful where you step, and watch wha-cha eat
Sleep with the light on and you got it beat

When you awake you will remember everything
You will be hangin' on a string from your
When you believe
You will relieve the only soul that you were born with
To grow old and never know

Ollie warned me it's a mean old world
The street don't greet ya, yes, it's true
But what am I supposed to do
Read the writing on the wall
I heard it when I was very small

When you awake you will remember everything
You will be hangin' on a string from your
When you believe
You will relieve the only soul that you were born with
To grow old and never know

Wash my hand in lye water
I got a date with the captain's daughter
You can go and tell your brother
We sure gonna love one another
Oh
You may be right and ya might be wrong
I ain't gonna worry all day long

Snow's gonna come and the frost gonna bite
My old car froze up last night
Ain't no reason to hang my head
I could wake up in the mornin' dead
Oh, oh, oh, oh
And if I thought it would do any good
I'd stand on the rock where Moses stood

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The Band

The Band were a Canadian-American roots rock group that originally consisted of Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, fiddle, trombone, vocals), Levon Helm (drums, mandolin, guitar, vocals), Garth Hudson (keyboard instruments, saxophones, trumpet), Richard Manuel (piano, drums, baritone saxophone, vocals) and Robbie Robertson (guitar, vocals). The members of the Band first came together as they joined rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins's backing group, The Hawks, one by one between 1958 and 1963. more »

9 fans

Written by: Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Origin
"When You Awake" is a song by the Canadian-American rock group The Band, produced in the United States.
Album
The song is from the band's second studio album, "The Band," also known as "The Brown Album," which was released in 1969.
Songwriters
The song was written by Robbie Robertson, one of the group's primary songwriters, and Richard Manuel.
Music Genre
"When You Awake" falls under the genre of Americana or roots rock, which is a mix of rock, folk, blues, and country music.
Inspirations
The song, like many others from "The Band," draws heavily from American history and mythology, particularly from the viewpoint of working-class people.
Notable Lyrics
The lyrics of "When You Awake" are often interpreted as a grand meditation on life, aging, and the passing of time.
Musical Composition
The song features Manuel's lead vocals, as well as an intricate multi-part harmony from the other members of the band during the chorus.
Richard's Performance
"When You Awake" is often cited as one of Richard Manuel's finest vocal performances with The Band, showcasing his soulful and emotive singing style.
Critical Reception
The song, while not as commercially successful as some of The Band's other hits like "The Weight" or "Up on Cripple Creek," is nevertheless considered a fan favorite and a highlight from the album.
Live Performances
"When You Awake" was a regular part of The Band's live performance repertoire, often featured in their concert set lists.
Legacy
The song stands as a key track that defines The Band's iconic sound, described as "feel-good music" with "painfully beautiful harmonies."

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