Bob Dylan Cover Down/Break Through
The song was never released on record, and simply formed part of the April 17 to May 21 1980 tour. After that it was put away forever. Even the official site doesn’t have the lyrics, probably because there is an argument over whether Dylan sings “Cover down, pray through” or “Cover down breakthrough”. Personally I’m not too worried either way.
For me, whichever phrase I have in my head is the one I hear, and since I don’t really understand what either phrase actually means I just call it Cover Down which is what Bob called it when he introduced it for the first time.
One of the better songs from the Gospel Period IMO is this killer blues/ raggae number that Bob oddly never put on record. In fact, he only performed it for a limited run of a couple months during the 1980 tour.
That said, it would have been a great addition on Saved and could have even gotten better into 1981 had he kept it.
The girls’ voices are mind-blowing here and Bob is in awesome sound as well.
Strangely, I have no idea what the title and chorus means exactly but the rest of the song is pretty explanatory….
LYRICS
Well you heard about Pharaoh's army Trampling through the mud You heard about the Hebrew children Redeemed by blood Same spirit drivin' in ya That raised Christ from the dead If you're quick in your mortal body Then let it under your head. You got to cover down, cover down, break through Cover down, cover down, break through. We need that protection By the armour of the Lord The sword of God is sharper than any double sided sword He's the hammer of salvation blade of righteousness Genesis to revelation Repent and confess. Cover down, cover down, break through Cover down, cover down, break through. Well, you wake up early in the morning Turning from side to side Something giving you a warning You can run, but you can't hide Demands are laid upon you And burdens you can't bear Sins you can't even remember Are waiting to meet you there. Cover down, cover down, break through Cover down, cover down, break through. You got an image of yourself You've built by yourself alone But it will come a-tumbling down Just like the walls made of stone You will be separated From everything you seem to be You think you'll be liberated, yeah But the grave won't set you free. You got to cover down, cover down, break through Cover down, cover down, break through. (Cover down, cover down, break through Cover down, cover down, break through)