Crossing The Rubicon (2022)

Bob Dylan live-debuted this song on March 3, 2022, and quickly established a near nightly lyric variation. Documented here is the first instance of each lyric change, together with audio.

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March 3, 2022 Phoenix, AZ

I can feel the bones beneath my skin and they’re tremblin’ with rage
I’ll make your wife a widow – you’ll never see old age
The summer turned to gold, and the winter chill is gone
I pawned my watch, and I paid my debts, then I crossed the Rubicon

Put my heart up on the hill, where some happiness I’ll find
If I survive then let me love – let the hour be mine
Take the high road – take the low, take any one that you’re on
But I poured the cup, I passed along, I crossed the Rubicon

Well, you foxy man, you’re the talk of the town
You’ve been suckin’ off all of the younger men
I trusted you once and that was more than enough
I’ll never trust another person again
I’ll rip your heart, cut your heart out with a crooked knife
And I’ll weep until it’s gone
I stood between heaven and earth, and I crossed the Rubicon

March 4, 2022 Tucson, AZ

I put my heart up on a hill, where some happiness I’ll find
If I survive then let me love, let the hour be mine
Take the high road, take the low, you take any one you’re on
I poured the cup, I passed around, and I crossed the Rubicon

Well, I can feel the bones beneath my skin, they’re tremblin’ with rage
I’ll make your wife a widow, you’ll never see old age
The summer meadows turned to gold, well, and the winter chill was gone
I pawned my watch, I paid my debts, and I crossed the Rubicon

You foxy man, you’re the talk of the town
Suckin’ off the younger men
I’ll trust you once – that was more than enough
I’ll never trust another livin’ soul again
Well, I’ll cut your heart out with a broken knife
Lord, I’ll weep over you when you’re gone
I stood between heaven and earth, Lord, and I crossed the Rubicon

March 8, 2022 Lubbox, TX

You foxy man, you’re the talk of the town
You been (going) down for other men
I trusted you once – that was more than enough
I’ll never trust anyone again
I’ll cut you up with a crooked knife
I’ll weep over you after you’re gone
I stood between heaven and earth, and I crossed the Rubicon

March 10, 2022 Irving, TX

Well, there’s nothin’ you got, my good man
And that ought to be understood
You can keep your gifts, take ’em all back
I got things that are just as good
Well, I’ll cut your heart out with a crooked knife
And I’ll burn it till it’s gone
I stood between heaven and earth, and I crossed the Rubicon

March 13, 2022 San Antonio, TX

Right or wrong what can I say
What more needs to be said
I’ll spill your brains out on the ground
You’d be better off over there with the dead
Seems like ten – maybe 20 – years now that I’ve been gone
I stood between heaven and earth and I crossed the Rubicon

March 14, 2022 San Antonio, TX

Right or wrong, what can I say?
Anything need to be said?
I’ll spill your brains upon the ground
You’d be better off over there with the dead
The dying sun is goin’ down, and the night was comin’ on
I stood between heaven and earth and I crossed the Rubicon

I can feel the holy spirit inside
I see the light that freedom gives
I believe it’s within the reach of every man who lives
Seem like ten, maybe 20, years now I’ve been gone
I turned the key, I broke it off, and I crossed the Rubicon

March 16, 2022 Austin, TX

Right or wrong, what can I say?
What’s left that needs to be said?
I’ll spill your brains upon the ground
You’ll be better off with the dead
Seem like only yesterday, since then I’ve been gone
I stood between heaven and earth and I crossed the Rubicon

Tweeter And The Monkey Man (Outtake)

An ambulance comes rollin’ in, a State Trooper close behind
Tweeter took his gun and tied him up, and treated him unkind
Undercover cop was left tied up to a tree
Near the souvenir stand by the abandoned factory

An ambulance rolled up, a State Trooper close behind
Tweeter took his gun away and messed up his mind
The undercover cop was left tied up to a tree
Near the souvenir stand by the old abandoned factory

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Watching The River Flow (Shadow Kingdom July 18, 2021)

Wish I was back in the city
In my true love’s arms
She likes older men
They can’t resist her charms.


People disappearing everywhere you look
Don’t know where to draw the line
Only yesterday I seen somebody
Who was really in a bind.

Wish I was back in the city
Instead of this old bank of sand
With the sun beating down over the chimney tops
And the one I love so close at hand


People disagreeing on just about everything, yep
Makes you stop and wonder why
Why only yesterday I saw somebody on the street
Who just couldn’t help but cry

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What Was It You Wanted? (Shadow Kingdom July 18, 2021)

What was it you wanted
Could you say it again?
I’ll be back in a minute
You can tell me then.

Is there something you needed
Something I don’t understand
What was it you wanted
When you were holding my hand?

What was it you wanted
Could you say it again?
I’ll be back in a minute
You can get it together by then.

Is there something you needed
Something I don’t understand
What was it you wanted
Do I have it here in my hand?

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Queen Jane Approximately (Shadow Kingdom July 18, 2021)

And when all of your advisors start to regret you
And you cannot convince them of your pain
And you want someone to protect you
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane?
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane?

Oh, when all of your advisers heave their plastic
At your feet to convince you of your pain
Trying to prove that your conclusions should be more drastic
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane?
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane?

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Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I’ll Go Mine) (Shadow Kingdom July 18, 2021)

You say you (disturb) me
And you don’t deserve me
You know sometimes you lie
You say you got some shakin’
You’re always breakin’
But you know sometimes you lie
Sometimes it gets so hard to please
You’ve got me this time on my knees
I’m gonna let you pass
Yes, and I’ll go last
Then time will tell just who has fell
And who’s been left behind
When you go your way and I go mine

You say you disturb me
And you don’t deserve me
But you know sometimes you lie
You say you’re shakin’
And you’re always achin’
But you know how hard you try
Sometimes it gets so hard to care
It can’t be this way ev’rywhere
And I’m gonna let you pass
Yes, and I’ll go last
Then time will tell who has fell
And who’s been left behind
When you go your way and I go mine

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To Be Alone With You (Shadow Kingdom July 18, 2021)

To be alone with you
Just you and I
Under the moon
In the star-spangled sky
I know you’re alive
And I am, too

My one desire
Is to be
alone with you

To be alone with you
Even for just an hour
In a castle high
In an ivory tower
Some people don’t get it
They just don’t have a clue
They wouldn’t know what it’s like
To be alone with you

They say that nighttime is the right time
To hold each other tight
All our worldly cares will disappear
And everything will come out right
I wish the night was here
Make me scream and shout
I’d fall into your arms
I’ll let it all hang out
I’ll hound you to death
That’s just what I’ll do
I won’t sleep a wink

Till I’m alone with you

I’m collecting my thoughts in a pattern
Movin’ from place to place
Steppin’ out into the dark night
Steppin’ out into space
What happened to me, darlin’?
What was it you saw?
Did I kill somebody?
Did I escape the law?
Got my heart in my mouth
My eyes are still blue
My mortal bliss
Is to be alone with you
My mortal bliss
Is to be alone with you

To be alone with you
Just you and me
Now won’t you tell me true
Ain’t that the way it oughta be?

To hold each other tight
The whole night through
Ev’rything is always right
When I’m
alone with you

To be alone with you
At the close of the day
With only you in view
While evening slips away
It only goes to show
That while life’s pleasures be few
The only one I know
Is when I’m
alone with you

They say that nighttime is the right time
To be with the one you love
Too many thoughts get in the way in the day
But you’re always what I’m thinkin’ of
I wish the night was here
Bringin’ me all of your charms
When only you are near
To hold me in your arms


I’ll always thank the Lord
When my working day is through
I get my sweet reward
To be alone with you

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Angelina (Springtime In New York)

Well, it’s always been my nature to take chances
My right hand drawing back while my left hand advances
Where the current is strong and the monkey dances
To the tune of a concertina

Blood dryin’ in my yellow hair as I go from shore to shore
I know what it is that has drawn me to your door
But I don’t know what it is makes you think you’ve seen me before
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

Her eyes were two slits that would make any snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint and she was well-endowed
Praising the dead as she rode a donkey through the crowd

Or was it a hyena?

Do I need your permission to turn my other cheek?
If you can read my thoughts then why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing about the man that you seek
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

In the valley of the giants where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet and the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions when the judge sent me down the road
With your subpoena

The peaceful exchange of ideas for you was always too tame
Inter-tribal warfare was always more your style and your game
Your best friend and my worst enemy is one and the same
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

There’s a black Mercedes rollin’ through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead, you’re down to the bone
Tell me, tall men, where would you like to be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?

She was stolen from her mother when she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied and her strength cards are showin’ gold
He’s surrounded by God’s angels and she’s wearin’ a blindfold
And so are you, Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

I see pieces of men marching, trying to take heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider, I can see the pale white horse
In God’s truth name tell me what you want and you’ll have it of course
Just step into the arena


Beat a path of retreat up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke, pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy and weepin’ and moanin’ in unholy places
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

Well, it’s always been my nature to take chances
My right hand drawing back while my left hand advances
Where the current is strong and the monkey dances
To the tune of a concertina

Blood dryin’ in my yellow hair as I go from shore to shore
I know what it is that has drawn me to your door
But whatever could it be makes you think you’ve seen me before
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

His eyes were two slits, make any snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint as he walked through the crowd
Worshipping a god with the body of a woman well-endowed
And the head of a hyena

Do I need your permission to turn the other cheek?
If you can read my mind, why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing about the man that you seek
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

In the valley of the giants where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet and the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions when the judge sent me down the road
With your subpoena

When you cease to exist, then who will you blame
I’ve tried my best to love you but I cannot play this game

Your best friend and my worst enemy is one and the same
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

There’s a black Mercedes rollin’ through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead, you’re down to the bone
Tell me, tall men, where would you like to be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?

She was stolen from her mother when she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied and her possessions have been sold
He’s surrounded by God’s angels and she’s wearin’ a blindfold
But so are you
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

I see pieces of men marching, trying to take heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider, I can see the pale white horse
In God’s truth name tell me what you want and you’ll have it of course
Just step into the arena

Beat a path of retreat up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke, pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy and weepin’ in unholy places
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

Tab 1