The Weight

"The Weight" is a song by the band 'The Band' and features references to the town of Nazareth. The song was released in 1968 on their Music from Big Pink album and while it was on the charts for 7 weeks it never eached higher than # 63. Rolling Stone Magazine named The Weight the 41st Greatest Song of All Time.

Why Nazareth? That's what's weird. These were folk musicians so obviously there is a connection to Martin Guitars. There also is the symbolism of biblical Nazareth. The answer is not clear.

Check out a sample of the song HERE.

Lyrics:

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 ol' Luke, and Luke's waitin' on the Judgement Day."
Well, Luke, my friend, what about young Anna Lee?"
He said, "Do me a favor, son, woncha 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, t'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)