Observations placeholder
Odetta - Tomorrow is a long time
Identifier
022534
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
"Tomorrow Is a Long Time" is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan. Dylan's first ‘official’ version appeared on the album Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II compilation, released in 1971. It was subsequently included in the rare triple LP compilation, Masterpieces. But, Dylan's first version of the song is a live recording from his April 12, 1963, concert at New York's Town Hall. And Odetta liked it so much, she recorded it for her 1965 album Odetta Sings Dylan.
Elvis Presley also recorded the song on May 26, 1966 during a session for his album How Great Thou Art. Presley first heard the song via Charlie McCoy, who played him the 1965 Odetta album Odetta Sings Dylan. So it is Odetta who inspired Elvis Presley!
A description of the experience
Tomorrow Is a Long Time
If today was not a crooked highway
If tonight was not a crooked trail
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all
Yes and only if my own true love was waitin'
And if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin'
Yes, only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again
I can't see my reflection in the waters
I can't speak the sounds that show no pain
I can't hear the echo of my footsteps
Or remember the sound of my own name
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin'
And if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin'
Yes and only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again
There's beauty in the silver, singin' river
There's beauty in the sunrise in the sky
But none of these and nothing else can touch the beauty
That I remember in my true love's eyes
Yes and only if my own true love was waitin'
I could hear her heart a softly poundin'
Yes and only if she was lyin' by me
Then I'd lie in my bed once again