I Shall Be Released Lyrics

Lyric discussion by clovus 

Cover art for I Shall Be Released lyrics by Band, The

I think the prison is a methaphor here. I'm reminded of this bit of poetry by Thomas Wolfe: "Which of us has known his brother? Which of us has looked into his father's heart? Which of us has not remained forever prison-pent? Which of us is not forever a stranger and alone?"