Belle Isle

by Bob Dylan

From the album: Self Portrait

Track 10 of 24 on Self Portrait (1970).

Duration: 2:33

Self Portrait cover art

Lyrics for Belle Isle

One evening for pleasure I rambled to view The fair fields all alone Down by the banks of Loch Eiron Where beauty and pleasure were known. I spied a fair maid at her labour Which caused me to stay for a while And I thought of a goddess to beauty Bloomin' bright star of Bright Isle. I humbled myself to her beauty "Fair maiden, where do you belong? Are you from heaven descended Abiding in Cupid's fair throne?". "Young man, I will tell you a secret It's true I'm a maid that is poor And to part from my vows and my promise Is more than my heart can endure. Therefore I remain at my service And go through all my hardship and toil And wait for the lad that has left me All alone on the banks of Belle Isle". "Young maiden I wish not to banter It's true I come here in disguise I came here to fulfill our last promise And hope to give you a surprise. I've known you're a maid I love dearly And you've been in my heart all the while For me there is no other damsel Than my bloomin' bright star of Belle Isle".

Listen On

More from Self Portrait

  1. All the Tired Horses
  2. Alberta #1
  3. I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know
  4. Days of '49
  5. Early Mornin' Rain
  6. In Search of Little Sadie
  7. Let It Be Me
  8. Little Sadie
  9. Woogie Boogie
  10. Belle Isle
  11. Living the Blues
  12. Like a Rolling Stone - Live at the Isle of Wight, UK - August 1969
  13. Copper Kettle
  14. Gotta Travel On
  15. Blue Moon
  16. The Boxer
  17. (Quinn the Eskimo) The Mighty Quinn - Live at the Isle of Wight, UK - August 1969
  18. Take Me as I Am (Or Let Me Go)
  19. Take a Message to Mary
  20. It Hurts Me Too
  21. Minstrel Boy - Live at the Isle of Wight, UK - August 1969
  22. She Belongs to Me - Live at the Isle of Wight, UK - August 1969
  23. Wigwam
  24. Alberta #2