I have to thank obbverse for introducing this song. This song was on the 1976 album The Best Of The Band. It was also released as a non-album single in 1975, along with “The Weight” in the UK.
This is one I didn’t pay much attention to at first. It sat on that best of record surrounded by their giant songs. But over time, I would give it a listen or two. When obbverse mentioned it…I kept it on my playlist and realized how great a song it is. I also found an alternative version with Levon singing it. Something about Danko’s version, though, that makes it sound so personal.
The song was written by Robbie Robertson; like most Band material, it was shaped by everyone in the room. The sound is rooted in the group’s style, but the direction feels more centered.
Some bands have great voices and tight harmonies. The Beatles and The Beach Boys, to name a few, but The Band’s harmonies were loose, yet at the same time just as tight in their own way. They had that back porch and bluegrass sound. Their music sounded spontaneous, but it was well-crafted. They always left enough raw edge to keep it interesting.
Robbie Robertson’s words and melodies were Americana flowing through a Canadian who had part-Jewish and Native-Canadian roots. He would read one movie screenplay after another. It helped him with his songwriting to express the images he had in his head. Robbie also took stories Levon told him of the South and shaped them into songs.
Twilight
Over by the wildwoodHot summer nightWe lay in the tall grassTill the mornin’ lightIf I had my way I’d neverGet the urge to roamBut a young man serves his countryAn old man guards the homeDon’t send me no silly salutationsOr silly souvenirs from far awayDon’t leave me alone in the twilight‘Cause twilight is the loneliest time of dayI never gave it a second thoughtIt never crossed my mindWhat’s right and what’s notI’m not the judgin’ kindI can take the darkness, ohStorms in the skiesBut we all got certain trialsBurnin’ up insideDon’t put me in a frame upon the mantel‘Fore memories grow dusty old and grayYou don’t leave me alone in the twilight‘Cause twilight is the loneliest time of dayAnd don’t leave me alone in the twilight‘Cause twilight is the loneliest time of day
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