When He Returns

Bob Dylan © 1979 Special Rider Music

(Official lyrics @ www.bobdylan.com)

  Slow Train Coming session 5, Muscle Shoals Studio, Sheffield AL - 4.may.1979, take 2  
  Slow Train Coming session 5, Muscle Shoals Studio, Sheffield AL - 4.may.1979, album version  

The iron hand ain't no match for the iron rod.
The strongest wall will crumble an' fall to a mighty god.
For all those who have eyes an' all those who have ears
It is only he who can reduce me to tears.
Don't you cry, don't you die and don't you burn.
Like a thief in the night, he'll replace wrong with right
When he returns.

Truth is an arrow an' the gate is narrow that it passes through.
He unleashed his power at an unknown hour that no one knew.
How long can i listen to the lies or prejudice?
How long can i stay drunk on fear out in the wilderness?
Can i cast it aside, all this loyalty an' this pride? Will i ever learn
That there'll be no peace, that the war won't cease
Until he returns?

Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground, take off your mask.
He sees your deeds, he knows your needs even before you ask.
How long can you falsify an' deny what is real?
How long can you hate yourself for the weakness you conceal?
Of every earthly plan that be known to man, he is unconcerned
He's got plans of his owns to set up his throne
When he returns.