The Weight

I pulled into Nazareth; I was feelin' about half past dead;

I just need some place where I can lay my head.

"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a man might find a bed?"

He just grinned and shook my hand, and "No!” was all he said.

Chorus:

Take a load off Fannie, take a load for free;

Take a load off Fannie, And, and, and you can put the load right on me.

 

I picked up my bag, I went lookin' for a place to hide;

When I saw Carmen and the Devil walkin' side by side.

I said, "Hey, Carmen, come on, let's go downtown."

She said, "I gotta go, but m'friend can stick around." (Chorus)

Go down, Miss Moses, there's nothin' you can say

It's just old' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgment Day.

"Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"

He said, "Do me a favor, son, won’t you stay an' keep Anna Lee company?"

(Chorus)

Crazy Chester followed me, and he caught me in the fog.

He said, "I will fix your rags, if you'll take Jack, my dog."

I said, "Wait a minute, Chester, you know I'm a peaceful man."

He said, "That's okay, boy, won't you feed him when you can." (Chorus)

Catch a Cannonball, now, to take me down the line

My bag is sinkin' low and I do believe it's time.

To get back to Miss Annie, you know she's the only one.

Who sent me here with her regards for everyone. (Chorus)

 

* Recorded by The Band