Three Songs, One Chord Part 3 – Shelter From the Storm (Dylan)
Hello again, and welcome back! This week's open E chord song that I arranged is from one of my all time favorite artists, Bob Dylan. Before you say, “I can't stand his voice,” and send me into an uncontrollable rage that will make me pick up my ball and go home, I would like to point out why he's quite literally a genius. Even if you can not stand his voice, you can't deny the genius of the man's lyrics. That's not me saying that, that's the Nobel prize for literature saying that. If you don't like his lyrics, then show me another songwriter who has won the Nobel Prize for literature.
...I'll wait.
...oh, no other song writer has won the Nobel Prize for literature? Imagine that.
I've had guitar students bash Bob Dylan, and then want me to figure a song that they had no idea he had written, which recently happened when a student wanted me figure out, “Make You Feel My Love,” the Adele version. I think the exact conversation went along the lines like...
Student: I want to learn, “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele.
Me: Ahh, the Bob Dylan song. That's an amazing song.
Student: Eww, that guy can't sing. No, I like the Adele song.
Me: He wrote the song, Adele covered it.
Student: Oh.... You're so smart and all knowing, Nick.
Me: I know.
Rinse and repeat countless times.
For what it's worth, I enjoy his voice. I like the gravely, “I've seen some things in my life” kind of voice. I find that there is an honesty about the imperfection of his voice.
Blood on the Tracks
The album that this song is from, “Blood on the Tracks” is one of my all time favorite Bob Dylan albums. This was one of those, “Dylan is going to recreate himself” type of albums. My interpretation of this album is that it's an album about a relationship that has ended. There's songs about how scorned someone can be after a relationship with songs like, “Idiot Wind,” but also songs about how you still care for that lost love in songs like, “If You See Her, Say Hello.”
Shelter From the Storm
The reason I enjoy the lyrics from this song so much is because it tells a basic story of a romantic relationship but uses such great imagery, that anyone who's ever been in a relationship from begging to end could relate to it. Take a look at the first verse:
'Twas in another lifetime, one of toil and blood
When blackness was a virtue, the road was full of mud
I came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm
This verse perfectly paints the begging of a romantic relationship, doesn't it? The man singing the verse is saying he's completely lost, in a crazy world and it's scary out there. The women in the song offers a safe haven from that crazy.
I'm not going to analyse the entire song (although I totally could). I would suggest really paying attention to the lyrics the next time you listen to it. Here's a great version I found of it...
https://www.cinnamon.video/watch?v=373186927953708135
Although I won't analyze the entire lyrics, I will share my favorite verse. It's the second to last verse...
In a little hilltop village, they gambled for my clothes
I bargained for salvation and she gave me a lethal dose
I offered up my innocence, I got repaid with scorn
Come in, she said
I'll give ya shelter from the storm
Every soul who has ever had their heart broken can relate to the line, “I offered up my innocence, I got repaid with scorn.” It very clearly paints that feeling of rejection after being your most vulnerable.
The Lesson
The great aspect of the song structure is just one form, and it repeats the whole song.
Intro:
|E / / / | B / / / | E / / / | B / / / | repeat 2X
Verse:
|E / / / | B / / / | A / / / | E / / / ||E / / / | B / / / | A / / / | / / / / |
|E / / / | B / / / | A / / / | / / / / |
|E / / / | B / / / | A / / / | E / / / |
However, there is a little trick after the verse. There are only three measures in between the verse.
|B / / / | A / / / | E / / / |
The strumming or rhythm:
This is the strumming pattern you would play along with the song. The actual strumming would be:
D = Strum Down
U = Strum Up
D D UDU
The count would be:
| + + 3 |
If you recall from last lesson, if this strumming pattern is too difficult to start off with, simplify it! Also, another thing to consider is that this is a folk song, meaning it doesn't have to be one hundred percent exactly like the recorded version. Once you've got a feel for the structure, take it and make it your own.
Harmonica Lesson
Just a crash course on playing the harmonica. Basically, if you have a harmonica in the key that the song is played in, then any note you play on the harmonica will sound good. For this song, you'll need a harmonica in the key of 'E.' I would strongly encourage you to get a harmonica only because it is so fun to play as you are strumming.
Let me know if you have any question or comments!
NickelNDime Out!
Below this line is more tips and tricks about learning that crazy instrument called the guitar. To look below this line you need a subscription.
Continue reading with a Coil membership.