Bob and Helana: Tell me the truth one time. Another missed song found

This is obviously a nearly completed song – the set of lyrics might not be totally worked out but the melody, chord sequence and great fun piano accompaniment that bounces along and emphasises the lyrics are all there.

But unfortunately, the recording is not complete – we can hear another verse start at the very end, but then the recording stops.

So why was the song abandoned?  After all they’ve got the piano part bouncing along and although the lyrics are fairly standard “you done me wrong” we’ve got a good catchline in “Tell me the truth one time” which is varied at the end of each verse.

My feeling is that by the time we reach the fourth verse we’re feeling like we need a change – ideally a middle 8 (a secondary section of the music with a different chord sequence and different chord sequence).   With such a strong musical accompaniment established and a clear melody and lyrical format, that would be the easiest thing to write in the song.

And that’s all that is needed.  A rock band accompaniment, leaving the piano dominant, would not be hard to fit in, and the song would be there: a stonking good number for a Helena Springs gig and a song that might well be covered by other bands.

But the song stopped, and was seemingly either deliberately abandoned and simply forgotten, and that seems a shame.

I’m dating the song 1978 and adding it to the song to the list for that year, although without any knowledge where it comes within the collection that Dylan and Springs wrote.

I’ve made my usual inadequate attempt at the lyrics, but if you can improve on them that would be great.

Tell me what is wrong
Why can't we get along?
Tell me what is right
Tell me the truth one time then you lie all night

Your love is like a dying leaf
You bring me so much toil and grief
?
Tell me the truth one time I'll still remain

You leave me stranded on a hook
You were so blind you never looked
Rid your life of mortal sin
Tell me the truth one time and find the truth within

Saw you hanging with that group
Reminds me of that boiled soup
?
Tell me the truth one time and you'll still be late

What else is on the site

You’ll find some notes about our latest posts arranged by themes and subjects on the home page.  You can also see details of our main sections on this site at the top of this page under the picture.

The index to all the 590 Dylan compositions and co-compositions that we have found on the A to Z page.

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