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Bob Dylan – Boots Of Spanish Leather

Copyright – 1964 Columbia Records

“Boots of Spanish Leather” is a song written by Bob Dylan, released in 1964 on his album The Times They Are A-Changin’.

Musically, this song consists of Dylan alone on the acoustic guitar. He plays in the “fingerpicking” style: that is, he plays each string individually, with no strumming. The song is played, in the officially released studio recording, in the key of A? major; Dylan probably effects this key by using a capo on the first fret and positioning his fingers as if he were playing G major. The dominant notes in the guitar part seem to be what on a piano is called “Middle C,” which in this song is the major third in the tonic chord; and the D-flat immediately above “Middle C,” which is the perfect fourth; with the top note at any point in the song rotating between these two notes. It is of note that musically this song is nearly identical to his earlier composition “Girl from the North Country.”

Lyrically, “Boots of Spanish Leather” is “a restless, forlorn ballad for the ages and sages – a classic Dylan tale of two lovers, a crossroads, and the open sea…” (Trager 80). Most critics have not found it far-fetched to say that this song was written about and maybe to Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s New York City girlfriend in the early ’60s, who in 1964 left him for Italy. Rotolo confirmed that interpretation in a 2008 NPR interview. The song is written as a dialogue, with the first six verses alternating between the man and woman; however, the last three verses are all given by the one who has been left, presumably the man (Dylan). Within these nine verses, the woman goes across the sea. She writes, asking whether the man would like any gift, and he refuses, poetically saying he only wants her back. Towards the end it becomes clear that she is not returning, and she finally writes saying she may never come back, “It depends on how I’m a-feelin’.” The man comes to realize what has happened and finally gives her a material request: “Spanish boots of Spanish leather.” Michael Gray has pointed out a strong parallel between this line and the traditional folk song “Blackjack Davey,” which Dylan arranged and recorded for his 1992 album Good as I Been to You, and in which footwear of Spanish leather also plays a significant role (Gray 657).

Of note is this song’s inclusion in the Norton Anthology of Poetry, 5th edition, in the section titled “Popular Ballads of the 20th Century.”

Though performed live here and there since its composition, Dylan did not start performing “Boots of Spanish Leather” regularly until his Never Ending Tour began in 1988.

Lyrics:
Oh, I’m sailin’ away my own true love,
I’m sailin’ away in the morning.
Is there something I can send you from across the sea,
From the place that I’ll be landing?

No, there’s nothin’ you can send me, my own true love,
There’s nothin’ I wish to be ownin’.
Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled,
From across that lonesome ocean.

Oh, but I just thought you might want something fine
Made of silver or of golden,
Either from the mountains of Madrid
Or from the coast of Barcelona.

Oh, but if I had the stars from the darkest night
And the diamonds from the deepest ocean,
I’d forsake them all for your sweet kiss,
For that’s all I’m wishin’ to be ownin’.

That I might be gone a long time
And it’s only that I’m askin’,
Is there something I can send you to remember me by,
To make your time more easy passin’.

Oh, how can, how can you ask me again,
It only brings me sorrow.
The same thing I want from you today,
I would want again tomorrow.

I got a letter on a lonesome day,
It was from her ship a-sailin’,
Saying I don’t know when I’ll be comin’ back again,
It depends on how I’m a-feelin’.

Well, if you, my love, must think that-a-way,
I’m sure your mind is roamin’.
I’m sure your heart is not with me,
But with the country to where you’re goin’.

So take heed, take heed of the western wind,
Take heed of the stormy weather.
And yes, there’s something you can send back to me,
Spanish boots of Spanish leather.

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