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I Shall Be Released - Lyrics by Indigo Girls


Lyrics
"I Shall Be Released" is a 1967 Bob Dylan song that the Girls havebeen doing on occasion for several years now.  It usually functionsas an encore, and features numerous guests.  The version that I'mtranscribing is from the lyric sheet the girls used at the Foxtheater, on October 3
0th, 1989. There are subtle variations from
Dylan's lyrics - gender references, such as "
They say every manneeds..." are changed to the non-specific "
They say every
ON
Eneeds..." In fact, in the third verse, Amy had already written
Dylan's "
Is a man who swears he's not to blame," but she crossed itout, and amended it to "
Is someone who...." It's a minor difference,but it's kinda significant... like the way the Girls change Robert
Hunter's "
Goddamn, well, I declare" to "
Sister, well, I declare" intheir version of "
Uncle John's Band."(
By the way, I'm transcribing the lyric sheet exactly as I see it,including performance notes... "
Michelle" refers to Michelle
Malone.)I Shall Be Released
Key: A
Michelle ---> 1
They say everything can be replaced(A Bm)
Yet every distance is not near(C
#min D A)
So, I remember every face(A Bm)
Of everyone who put me here.(C
#min D A)
Everyone ---> Chorus
I see my light come shining(A Bm)
From the west unto the east(C
#min D A)
Anyday now, any day now, (A Bm)I shall be released.
Emily ---> 2
They say everyone needs protection,
They say everyone must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above this wall
Everyone ---> Chorus
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Anyday now, any day now
I shall be released.
Solos / jams
Amy ---> 3
Standing next to me in this lonely crowd,
Is someone who swears he's not to blame.
All day long I hear him shout so loud
Crying out that he's been framed.
Everyone ---> Chorus
I see my light come shining
From the west unto the east
Anyday now, anyday now
I shall be released.

Book: Shattered Sighs