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I pulled into Nazareth, was feeling 'bout half past dead
I just need some place where I can lay my head
Hey, mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed?
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No" was all he said.
[Chorus]
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
I picked up my bags, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw old Carmen and the Devil, walking side by side
I said, "Hey, Carmen, c'mon, let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around"
[Chorus]
Go down, Miss Moses, ain't nothin' you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the judgment day
Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Annalee
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Annalee company"
[Chorus]
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
Said, "I will fix you right, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
I said, "Wait a minute Chester, you know, I'm a peaceful man"
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can"
[Chorus]
Catch the cannonball, now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low, and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here, with her regards for everyone
[Chorus]
I just need some place where I can lay my head
Hey, mister, can you tell me, where a man might find a bed?
He just grinned and shook my hand, "No" was all he said.
[Chorus]
Take a load off Fanny, take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny, and you put the load right on me
I picked up my bags, I went looking for a place to hide
When I saw old Carmen and the Devil, walking side by side
I said, "Hey, Carmen, c'mon, let's go downtown"
She said, "I gotta go, but my friend can stick around"
[Chorus]
Go down, Miss Moses, ain't nothin' you can say
It's just old Luke, and Luke's waiting on the judgment day
Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Annalee
He said, "Do me a favor, son, won't you stay and keep Annalee company"
[Chorus]
Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog
Said, "I will fix you right, if you'll take Jack, my dog"
I said, "Wait a minute Chester, you know, I'm a peaceful man"
He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can"
[Chorus]
Catch the cannonball, now to take me down the line
My bag is sinking low, and I do believe it's time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she's the only one
Who sent me here, with her regards for everyone
[Chorus]
| window (Richmond, VA) | Posted: Jan 14, 2013 - 08:01 Absolutely the best version of this timeless song. IMO (obviously). |
| RichW | Posted: Dec 01, 2012 - 13:15 Hudson's Organ sends chills up and down my back. You may not hear it in this audio but in the DVD version Mavis mouths "beautiful" as it ends. |
| LPCity (Salt Lake City, Utah) | Posted: Nov 12, 2012 - 14:17 shellbella wrote: I just saw Mavis and Bonnie Raitt in Boise ID over Labor Day. Two classy women they are!!!  Saw the same show the week before here in SLC. Mavis and her band do this song a proud version in concert. |
| B_from_Belgium (Bilzen, Belgium) | Posted: Nov 12, 2012 - 14:17 Hey guys, It's bedtime in Belgium. But you're not making that very easy !! Every time I want to stop RP there's another all time favourite of mine coming in. |
| BibKiller | Posted: Nov 12, 2012 - 14:14 ohhh yaaa!!!! warms the soul  -mechanic2 |
| dcal6666 (Hatfield, Massachusetts USA) | Posted: Sep 10, 2012 - 16:07 OK, so The Last Waltz raises controversy among fans of The Band (especially fans of Levon such as myself), but the music from the recording for this movie totally rock! |
| shellbella (so california) | Posted: Sep 10, 2012 - 16:04 I just saw Mavis and Bonnie Raitt in Boise ID over Labor Day. Two classy women they are!!! |
| james_of_tucson (Tucson AZ) | Posted: Jul 09, 2012 - 18:06 hippiechick wrote: I have listened to this song at least 1000 times and still don't get what it's about. I'm satisfied that it's an autobiographical vignette, about a certain kind of alienation that only the writer would understand, who is confiding in a woman, who almost certainly doesn't understand what the writer is expressing. |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Jun 08, 2012 - 00:32 helgigermany wrote: Nice! Never saw the movie, but have 2 versions of records! |
| Johray63 (The Lowlands) | Posted: May 07, 2012 - 06:27 johnjconn wrote: Here's a lesson in time perspective. When this movie came out I remember thinking how "old" the artist all felt. Dylan looked old, Band looked old, Staples looked old, etc. Now their voices sound so young , fresh and strong. Funny how 30 years changes one's "old and young" perspective Yes, I certainly recognize that. |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: May 07, 2012 - 06:16 hippiechick wrote: I have listened to this song at least 1000 times and still don't get what it's about. In a certain way, you do: it's about a guy coming to some place where he just doesn't get it. |
| hippiechick (topsy turvy land) | Posted: May 07, 2012 - 06:12 I have listened to this song at least 1000 times and still don't get what it's about. |
| WonderLizard (2,755.46 mi. due east of Paradise) | Posted: May 07, 2012 - 06:11 Giselle62 wrote: I felt a little like crying when I heard Pop Staples' voice. And today I feel like crying a little bit when I hear Levon's and Danko's voices. |
| Giselle62 (many bear, big rock, estuary California) | Posted: Apr 05, 2012 - 13:07 I felt a little like crying when I heard Pop Staples' voice. |
| dw (PHill, CA) | Posted: Apr 05, 2012 - 13:00 The live version (video) is incredible - much better than this (although this is very good). |
| Dave_Mack (Ball of Confusion) | Posted: Nov 30, 2011 - 16:01 Funny thing about the Last Waltz. An electrical engineer who used to work for me was also a sax player, and he was called at the last minute to fill in for the player who couldn't make it. Not a bad gig  I think he played flute on some songs too. Charlie Keagle is his name. |
| johnjconn (chicago land) | Posted: Jul 27, 2011 - 13:13 Here's a lesson in time perspective. When this movie came out I remember thinking how "old" the artist all felt. Dylan looked old, Band looked old, Staples looked old, etc. Now their voices sound so young , fresh and strong. Funny how 30 years changes one's "old and young" perspective |
| coding_to_music (Beantown) | Posted: Jul 27, 2011 - 13:12 with the Staples - and she is still rocking — great ! |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Jun 26, 2011 - 01:50 ozzie1313 wrote: The song is "Godlike" but this version "Outstanding." Agree! |
| ozzie1313 | Posted: May 25, 2011 - 10:17 The song is "Godlike" but this version "Outstanding." |
| CCinSB (the west coast) | Posted: May 25, 2011 - 10:16 Love it! |
| black321 (Apogee) | Posted: Mar 23, 2011 - 07:41 Xeric wrote: Yes. And I've yet to see The Last Waltz (I assume that's what you mean), but man, what an utterly essential album. Hmmm. Wait. There are subtle differences here. From the "remastered" version? This is from the Last Waltz, but not the actual concert...for the film, they did a couple of "live" studio tracks. |
| katiediddler (one of the dominoes, hopefully near the back) | Posted: Mar 23, 2011 - 07:41 Pops steals it on this one |
| grogg | Posted: Mar 23, 2011 - 07:41 Jimmy86 wrote: Exact same set just played now Aug. 14, 1:02 am PT... It WAS a good set, though... and I had missed it first time around... It is indeed a good set. Experiencing it now. |
| Wizzuvvoz (crosshairs of radical conservatism on route 66) | Posted: Feb 19, 2011 - 21:07 Hard to argue with the coolness of this one |
| Jamunca (Asheville, NC) | Posted: Jan 19, 2011 - 15:24 Can't hear this song now without thinking of the Saturday Night Live sketches. Anyone else? |
| kaybee (Lost in the Wilds of Toronto) | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 14:25 Listening to this with the knowledge that some of the singers (from the Band at least) are no longer with us, is a sad/happy experience. |
| Hannio (Austin, TX) | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 12:06 fredriley wrote: Sit yersel' down, take a load off fanny ;) Heh. I never heard it that way, but now it's impossible not to. |
| hmarcy | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 12:06 Emmylou Harris and Low Anthem sang this in Albany on Sunday. Great rendition!! |
| jptl (Potomac, MD) | Posted: Nov 17, 2010 - 12:05 One of my all-time favorites. I never tire of hearing this version. Makes me want to get comfortable and watch the Last Waltz from beginning to end. |
| Jimmy86 (CA) | Posted: Aug 14, 2010 - 01:03 calypsus_1 wrote: The Band - The Weight (With The Staples) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky John Prine and Bonnie Raitt - Angel from Montg and radio has moments .... Exact same set just played now Aug. 14, 1:02 am PT... It WAS a good set, though... and I had missed it first time around... |
| raga (Italy - Como) | Posted: Jun 11, 2010 - 06:44 Boring?  |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: Jun 11, 2010 - 06:43 Sit yersel' down, take a load off fanny ;) |
| Businessgypsy (Deepest, Darkest Florida) | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 13:21 big_gare wrote: Are you haters for real? The Band with The Staple Singers? This is sublime to those who appreciate greatness. If you can't recognize a brilliant pairing of great artists like this, then get out your Michael Bolton Cassettes & be happy... :-) I guess that there are an infinite variety of music enthusiasts out there. I enjoy pretty much everything up and down the Band's DNA chain, but have always found the Staples to be syrupy and self-important beyond redemption. Seeing them live a couple of times (admittedly, post-Pops) confirmed this for me. Worked for the Band, obviously. Not so much for me, and I'm thinking that I appreciate greatness on a regular basis.Your results may vary. Member FDIC. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 13:16 The Band - The Weight (With The Staples) Wilco - Sky Blue Sky Jackson Browne - Late For The Sky John Prine and Bonnie Raitt - Angel from Montg and radio has moments .... |
| jinthefields (left, after the big rock) | Posted: May 10, 2010 - 13:08 Angel from Montgomery. Late for the Sky. Sky Blue Sky. The Weight. Ok Bill, I'll give you money now... |
| Xeric (Montana) | Posted: Apr 08, 2010 - 19:48 wbeaver wrote: Some may find it hard to like this song because it was way overplayed by certain radio stations during a certain era. I think the Band has better tunes, as well. Don't know if this version is directly from The Last Waltz, but I can say that stumbling upon The Last Waltz made me appreciate The Band more than simply listening to their music. Yes. And I've yet to see The Last Waltz (I assume that's what you mean), but man, what an utterly essential album. Hmmm. Wait. There are subtle differences here. From the "remastered" version? |
| sirdroseph (Outer Mongolia) | Posted: Mar 08, 2010 - 05:07 This is my favorite tune from The Band, though not a big fan of them overall, I do like this song even if it was overplayed.  |
| Ulises (Fairbanks, Alaska) | Posted: Feb 04, 2010 - 17:11 AphidA wrote: This is the worst. You'd think that ladling a bunch of silly gospel crap on top would make this already horrible song better but it just makes it crappier. Where I live we suffer from aphid infestations from time-to-time. There is a great tea mixture you can buy at any head shop, brew it and then spray on your plants. No more disgusting aphids sucking the life force out our precious plants. |
| michaelc (Walnut Creek, CA) | Posted: Feb 04, 2010 - 17:04 oh yaa take me back |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Dec 13, 2009 - 10:57 The Band - "The Weight" Live |
| wbeaver | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:39 Some may find it hard to like this song because it was way overplayed by certain radio stations during a certain era. I think the Band has better tunes, as well. Don't know if this version is directly from The Last Waltz, but I can say that stumbling upon The Last Waltz made me appreciate The Band more than simply listening to their music. |
| flatpicker (Toronto, Canada) | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:35 AphidA wrote: This is the worst. You'd think that ladling a bunch of silly gospel crap on top would make this already horrible song better but it just makes it crappier. wow  |
| Bleyfusz | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:34 DDB61 wrote: Recorded on a Thanksgiving weekend at the Fillmore West, wasn't it? Although this sounds like a studio cut. It is. For some reason, the Staple Singers were not able to turn up at the Filmore that day, so they played the gig apart from the concert just to get it into the movie. |
| AphidA | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:31 This is the worst. You'd think that ladling a bunch of silly gospel crap on top would make this already horrible song better but it just makes it crappier. |
| flatpicker (Toronto, Canada) | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:30 The deserves an 11 The song is absolute greatness to begin with. But this version with the Staples gives me shivers of delight every time I hear it. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't love it. It's one of the best things I have ever heard! |
| DaveInVA (In a crumbling Queen Anne mansion in Damnville, VA) | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:27 This is my favorite version of this song...love it |
| DDB61 | Posted: Nov 02, 2009 - 12:27 Recorded on a Thanksgiving weekend at the Fillmore West, wasn't it? Although this sounds like a studio cut. |
| crockydile (I miss Excelsior!) | Posted: Aug 31, 2009 - 10:44 After many years, this song seems more significant to me now that I know who The Staples are... |
| big_gare (Langley, Bee Cee, Canada) | Posted: Aug 31, 2009 - 10:43 Are you haters for real? The Band with The Staple Singers? This is sublime to those who appreciate greatness. If you can't recognize a brilliant pairing of great artists like this, then get out your Michael Bolton Cassettes & be happy... :-) |