[Verse 1]
Shadows are falling
And I’ve been here all day
It’s too hot to sleep
And time is running away
Feel like my soul has
Turned into steel
I’ve still got the scars
That the sun didn’t heal
There’s not even room enough
To be anywhere
[Refrain]
It’s not dark yet
But it’s getting there
[Verse 2]
Well, my sense of humanity
Has gone down the drain
Behind every beautiful thing
There’s been some kind of pain
She wrote me a letter
And she wrote it so kind
She put down in writin’
What was in her mind
I just don’t see why I should even care
[Refrain]
It’s not dark yet
But it’s getting there
[Verse 3]
Well, I’ve been to London
And I’ve been to gay Paris
I’ve followed the river
And I got to the sea
I’ve been down on the bottom
Of a world full of lies
I ain’t lookin’ for nothin’
In anyone’s eyes
Sometimes my burden
Is more than I can bear
[Refrain]
It’s not dark yet
But it’s getting there
[Instrumental Interlude]
[Verse 4]
I was born here, and I’ll die here
Against my will
I know it looks like I’m moving
But I’m standing still
Every nerve in my body
Is so vacant and numb
I can’t even remember what it was
I came here to get away from
Don’t even hear a murmur of a prayer
[Refrain]
It’s not dark yet
But it’s getting there
“Thunder On The Mountain” is a song written by Bob Dylan, released in 2006 as the first track on his album Modern Times.
The song, alongside “Someday Baby“, has had considerable success, garnering more airtime than any other track on the album.
Dylan references his former residence, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan and a former resident, Alicia Keys. He was inspired to write the song after admiring Keys’ performance at the Grammys.[1]
The song alludes to the bible, with Dylan playing the role of the archangel Gabriel blowing his horn.[2]
Prompted by Dylan, American rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson recorded a country version of the song that was released as a single in 2011. The name “Jerry Lee” was substituted for “Alicia Keys”.[3]
