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 said.
(Chorus:)
Take a load off Annie, take a load for free;
Take a load off Annie, 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) [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/band/the_weight.html ]
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 rack, 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 cannon ball now, t'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 everyone.
The meaning is be quiet and listen to the music. Go back to the hippy days smoke a joint play a guitar write music and have fun with it. Music is about feeling, it does not have to have a "meaning" you just have to feel it... Great song
I have to say, this version of the song is absolutley terrible. It leaves me wondering how they got home that night. I did however, hear an excellent version done by the queen of soul, aretha franklin. As for the meaning, i have no clue.
There is no meaning. It is a bunch of old drunks sitting around thinking they have some religious wit to it, but their judgment was clouded by whiskey and moonshine. They can't even sing in tune or in harmony. Worst song i ever heard.