About the song
“The Weight” by The Band is a timeless classic that has endured through the decades since its release in 1968. Featured on their debut album “Music from Big Pink,” the song showcases The Band’s unique blend of folk, rock, and Americana influences.
Written by Robbie Robertson, the guitarist and primary songwriter for The Band, “The Weight” is renowned for its rich storytelling, vivid imagery, and soulful melodies. The song’s lyrics tell the tale of a traveler who encounters various characters on a journey, each with their own burdens to bear. Robertson’s evocative storytelling and the band’s tight harmonies create an immersive listening experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Upon its release, “The Weight” became one of The Band’s most beloved songs, reaching number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning widespread critical acclaim. The album “Music from Big Pink” itself was also a commercial success, helping to establish The Band as one of the most influential acts of the late 1960s.
For fans of The Band and enthusiasts of folk and rock music, “The Weight” remains a cherished classic that continues to inspire and connect with listeners around the world. Its timeless themes of friendship, responsibility, and redemption make it a song that transcends generations, reminding us of the universal struggles and triumphs of the human experience.
Whether heard on the radio, in a movie soundtrack, or at a live concert, “The Weight” is a testament to The Band’s enduring legacy as one of the most innovative and influential groups in rock history.
Video
Lyrics
I pulled into Nazareth, 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, “no” was all he saidTake a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
(You 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 my friend can stick around.”Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
(You put the load right on me)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 and keep Anna Lee company?”Take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
(You put the load right on me)Crazy Chester followed me and he caught me in the fog
He said, “I will fix your rack if you take Jack, my dog.”
I said, “Wait a minute, Chester, you know I’m a peaceful man.”
He said, “That’s OK, boy, won’t you feed him when you can?”Yeah, take a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
(You put the load right on me)Catch a cannon ball now to take me down the line
My bag is sinkin’ low and I do believe it’s time
To get back to Miss Fanny, you know she’s the only one
Who sent me here with her regards for everyoneTake a load off Fanny
Take a load for free
Take a load off Fanny
And (and, and) you put the load right on me
(You put the load right on me)