I Shall Be Released

The song is influenced by gospel music, combining images of religious redemption with implied literal release from prison. David Yaffe described the song as a song about redeemed prisoners.[2] The song describes life behind a wall, hearing a man who "swears he's not to blame" and is "crying out that he was framed". While the narrator reflects on "every man who put me here", and says that "any day now I shall be released".

Author Mike Marqusee observed that the cruelty of the justice system is a recurring theme in Dylan's work, but that Dylan broadens the idea of imprisonment to social issues with an urge for freedom.[3] Clinton Heylin writes in his book Revolution In The Air:[4]

Prisons of the body and the mind seem to have preyed on Dylan's mind throughout his time spent with the boys on retainer. Among the songs recorded at early basement sessions were covers of "Folsom Prison Blues" and "The Banks of the Royal Canal" (the latter is particularly affecting), both songs written—metaphorically—from inside prison walls. Dylan then takes a leaf from Johnny Cash and Brendan Behan (brother of Dominic Behan), authors of those earlier songs, by writing his own prison song, "I Shall Be Released." He is characteristically careful not to confuse simplicity of construction with a commensurate simplicity of meaning. The release that he is singing about—and that Richard Manuel echoes—is not from mere prison bars but rather from the cage of physical existence, the same cage that corrodes on "Visions of Johanna".

Photograph of The Last Waltz. The Band with Bob Dylan and other guests performing I Shall Be Released.
seated behind instruments: Garth Hudson (organ), Ringo Starr (drums), Levon Helm (drums)
standing: Dr. John, Neil Diamond, Joni Mitchell (hidden), Neil Young, Rick Danko (Bass), Van Morrison, Bob Dylan (guitar), Ronnie Hawkins, Robbie Robertson (guitar)
not shown: Richard Manuel, Eric Clapton, Ron Wood

"I Shall Be Released" has been demoed by The Beatles (on 2 January 1969 during their Get Back / Let It Be recording sessions[5]) and recorded by The Youngbloods, The Earl Scruggs Revue, Jeff Buckley, The Marmalade, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, Sun Araw, Joe Cocker, Tremeloes, Bette Midler, The Box Tops, The Byrds, Ricky Nelson, Aaron Neville, Melissa Etheridge, Coheed and Cambria, Tom Robinson Band, Nina Simone, The Slackers, The Heptones, Paul Weller, Jerry Garcia Band, Sting, The Deftones, The Hollies, Trinitones, Pearls Before Swine, OK Go, Beth Rowley, Ken Lazarus, Big Mama Thornton, Chatham County Line, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Jack Johnson, Gov't Mule, Martin Harley, Kiosk, Dino McGartland with Laurence Jones, James Blundell, Miriam Makeba, Boz (first release of that song, May 1968), Mahotella Queens, Jacob Miller, Bobby McFerrin, Black Oak Arkansas, Marion Williams, Lera Lynn, Wilco, Jack Johnson, Lisa Loeb, Zac Brown Band, Kesha, Half Moon Run, Greta Van Fleet, Hideki Saijo, Michael McDonald, and Elvis Presley.

• Richard Manuel – lead vocal, harmony vocals on chorus, piano
• Rick Danko – bass guitar, harmony vocal on chorus
• Levon Helm – drums, snare drum (strings strummed by hand), harmony vocal on chorus
• Garth Hudson – Rocksichord organ
• Robbie Robertson – acoustic guitar

• Lyrics: 1962–2001, Simon & Schuster, page 303
• Rise Up Singing, Hal Leonard Books, page 102