Tell Ol' Bill

Words and music Bob Dylan

Tabbed by Eyolf Østrem


Tell Ol' Bill Chords
Bob Dylan

Capo 3rd fret (sounding key Bb major)

Intro: G D G G D The river whispers in my ear, G a hardly penny to my name. D The heavens never seemed so near. G All of my body glows with flame. C G The tempest struggles in the air. C G and to myself alone I sing. D It could sink me then and there, G I can hear the echoes ring. C G I try to find one smilin' face C G to drive the shadows from my head. D I'm stranded in this nameless place, G lyin' restless in a heavy bed Tell me straight out if you will why must you torture me within why must you come down if you know i'm here throw my fate to the clouds and wind far away in a silent land secret thoughts are hard to bear remember me and understand emotions we can never share you trampled on me as you passed left the coldest kiss upon my brow all my doubts and fears are gone at last i've nothing more to tell you now I walked by tranquil lakes and streams as each new season goes away i lie awake at night with trembling dreams the enemy is at the gate beneathe the thunder blasted trees the words are ringing off your tongue the ground is hard at times like these stars are cold, the night is young the rocks are weak, the trees are bear iron clouds go floating by snowflakes falling in my hair beneathe the bleak and stormy sky the evening sun is sinking low the woods are dark the town is tame they'll drag you down, they'll run the show ain't no tellin' what they'll do Tell ol' Bill when he comes home anything is worth a try tell him that i'm not alone that the hour has come to do or die all the world i would advise let me ring it plane as day i look at you now and i sigh how could it be any other way