One of Dylan’s best love songs, co-written with backing singer Helena Springs. It was performed only once, at a concert in October 1978. It would be left to the Searchers to put it in the public domain.
-Clinton Heylin (The gems that Bob Dylan discarded – The Telegraph)
COMING FROM THE HEART (THE ROAD IS LONG)
Written by Bob Dylan & Helena Springs
Rundown Studios
Santa Monica, California
April 10, 1978
Rehearsals for the European Tour
The richness of Dylan’s vocal on this tape is striking – he hasn’t backed off his new way of singing (it didn’t even sound like a new way of singing to me at first, just an awkwardness, a stiffness), but has patiently (stubbornly) stood by his original impulse, pushed forward with it to the point where it is starting to be a versatile and
expressive instrument.
-Paul Williams (Bob Dylan: Performing Artist, Vol 2: The Middle Years 1974-1986
Rundown Studios
Santa Monica, California
April 10, 1978
5th Street-Legal session, produced by Don DeVito.
The Lyrics
We have got to come together
How long can we stay apart?
You may get it maybe never
But it’s coming from the heart.
Your life is full of indecision
You can’t make up your mind.
We must get it in position
And move it on down the line.
‘Cause the road is long, it’s a long hard climb
I been on that road too long of a time
Yes the road is long, and it winds and winds
When I think of the love that I left behind.
Make me up a bed of roses
And hang them down from the vine
Of all my loves you’ve been the closest
That’s ever been on my mind.
Please don’t talk about tomorrow
I’m really not one to care
This world is filled with too much sorrow
That nobody’s heart should bear.
‘Cause the road is long, it’s a long hard climb
I been on that road too long of a time
Yes the road is long, and it winds and winds
When I think of the love that I left behind.
Please, please give me indication
Stop and talk to me
Like a river that is flowing
My love will never cease to be.
You will always be my honey
No one could take your part
Our love can’t be bought with money
‘Cause it’s coming from the heart.
‘Cause the road is long, it’s a long hard climb
I been on that road too long of a time
Yes the road is long, and it winds and winds
When I think of the love that I left behind.
The only live version – Civic Center, St Paul, MN – October 31, 1978
The RiverCentre (formerly known as the St. Paul Civic Center) is a large convention center located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It has twice been honored as “Best Convention Center” by Minnesota Meetings and Events Magazine. It hosts a large variety of events and has been the home of the annual Festival of Nations since 1934.
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Let´s also include the version “The Searchers” released on their first album (called “The Searchers”) in 1979:
-Egil
This is a rarity that I actually got to hear live so many years ago in St. Paul, and I didn’t even know what a rarity it was!