Written by Bob Dylan
Performed during the 1979-80 gospel tours.
Tabbed by Eyolf Østrem (but see alternate lyric transcriptions
below)
Ironically, this is probably the song with which Dylan has made the
most energetic attempts at a sing-along kind of rapport with the
audience, but – it doesn't really work, does it...?
The lyrics for the verses – well, I made an attempt. The
transcriptions below are a mixture of phonetic and semantic. I welcome
corrections, as always.
E
Blessed is the name of the Lord forever
*) *) Briefly A, or stay on E
Wisdom and might are his x2 or x3
A B
Are his, yes are his
E [or n.c.]
Blessed is the name of the Lord forever
*)
Wisdom and might are his x2
18/11 '79
When he move his face upon the water
Sit up high on a throne
Like him there is no other
He's God all by himself alone
Well to the just he will be faithful
[let it rain fire and] brimstone down
But he did not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah
Till Lot was safely out of the town
19/11 '79
When he move his face upon the water
Sit up high on a throne
With him there is no other
He's God all by himself alone
Well to the just he will be faithful
[hittin' on/he won't] drive you out of town
But he did not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah
Till Lot was safely out of the town
20/11 '79
When he move his face upon the water
Sit up high on a throne
Like him there is no other
He's God all by himself alone
Way back down in the days of Noah
He'd drive you out of the town
But he did not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah
Till Lot was safely out of the town
21/11 '79
Well [...]
Sit up high on a throne
He will not share his glory
He's God all by himself alone
[Well jumpin'] in the days of Noah
[sending] fire and brimstone down
But he did not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah
Till Lot was safely out of the town
[Well in Eden on] the days of power
King on his own time clock
Like him there is no other
And, hey, he will not be mocked
16/1 '80
When he move his face upon the water
Sit up high on a throne
Like him there is no other
He's God all by himself alone
Well, in the time by the days of Noah
[...] the dark
But not one drop of water fell
Till Noah was safely in the ark
23/1 '80
When he move his face upon the water
Sit up high on a throne
Like him there is no other
He's God all by himself alone
Listen, back in the days of Noah
[... faithful of the/after] dark
But not one drop of water fell
Till Noah was safely in the ark
The following lyrics have been submitted by Jeff Moore. They are probably taken from Nov 2 and 9 1979, and from Feb 5, 1980.
Blessed is the name of the Lord forever Wisdom and might are His Well He moved His face on the water He sits up high on the throne Like Him there is no other He is God all by Himself alone ... ... ... singing the blues And He can renew your mind Well He ... upon the peoples ... He's got His own time clock He will not share His glory And He will not be mocked Way back in the days of Noah They found Him faithful at the dock Remember not one drop of water fell Til Noah was safely in the ark Well He always will forewarn you Before He rains fire and brimstone down He did not destroy Sodom and Gomorrah Until Lot was safely out of town He made the mountains He made the sea He made the way of salvation for you and me