His most famous work is Alice's Restaurant, a talking blues song that lasts eighteen minutes and twenty seconds (in its original recorded version; Guthrie has been known to spin the story out to forty-five minutes in concert). The song, a bitingly satirical protest against the Vietnam War draft, is based on a true incident. In the song, Guthrie was called up for a draft examination, and rejected as unfit for military service as a result of a criminal record consisting in its entirety of a single arrest, court appearance, fine and clean-up order for littering. In reality, Guthrie, though a carrier of the genetically inherited disease Huntington's chorea, was classified as fit (1A); however, his draft-lottery number did not come up.
Percy's Song
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics
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Turn, turn, turn again
Sayin' one of my friends is in trouble deep
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
Tell me the trouble, tell me once to my ears
Turn, turn, turn again
Juliet prison for ninety-nine years
A crash on the highway threw a car into a field
Turn, turn, turn again
There were four people killed and he was at the wheel
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
But I knew him as well as I know my own self
Turn, turn, turn again
And he wouldn't harm a life that belonged to someone else
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
That may be so said the judge from the side of his mouth
Turn, turn, turn again
But the witness who saw it, he left little doubt
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
He may, he may have a sentence to server
Turn, turn, turn again
But ninety-nine years, he just does not deserve
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
Too late, too late, for his case it is sealed
Turn, turn, turn again
A sentence, it is passed and it can not be repealed
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
But he ain't no criminal and his crime it is none
Turn, turn, turn again
And what happened to him could have happened to anyone
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
At that the judge jumped forward and his face it did freeze
Turn, turn, turn again
Sayin', ?Would you kindly leave my office now, please?
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I squinted my eyes and I stood up slow
Turn, turn, turn again
With no other choice except for me to go
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I walked down the hall and I heard his door slam
Turn, turn, turn again
I walked down the stairs but I did not understand
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
And I played my guitar through the night and through the day
Turn, turn, turn again
But the only tune that my guitar would play
Was oh how cruel, the wind and the rain
The song "Percy's Song" by Arlo Guthrie tells a story of a friend in trouble deep, facing a 99-year prison sentence for a car crash that killed four people. The singer of the song, who knew Percy well, believes that he wouldn't intentionally harm someone else's life. However, the witness who saw what happened left little doubt about Percy's involvement, leading to his sentencing.
The song expresses the singer's disbelief and indignation at the injustice of the sentence, as he knew Percy as a good person who didn't deserve such a harsh punishment. The judge dismisses the singer's protestations, and the singer is left feeling helpless and frustrated, with the only solace found in the melancholic tune of his guitar.
The song's lyrics reflect on themes such as loyalty, justice, and the cruelty of fate. It portrays how someone's life can change in an instant, and how the law can sometimes be unforgiving, even when it seems unjust.
Line by Line Meaning
Bad news, bad news, come to me where I sleep
I am being visited by bad news that haunts my sleep and disturbs my peace.
Turn, turn, turn again
I seek guidance and resolution, but it is not easy and requires repeated attempts.
Sayin' one of my friends is in trouble deep
The bad news is about a good friend who is facing serious trouble and danger.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am turning to the elements of nature and chaos for an answer that seems elusive.
Tell me the trouble, tell me once to my ears
I request to hear the details of my friend's plight, hoping that I can offer help.
Juliet prison for ninety-nine years
My friend has been sentenced to a long imprisonment for a severe crime, like Romeo's Juliet.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I continue my pursuit for a solution that seems to be as easy and fleeting as the wind and the rain.
A crash on the highway threw a car into a field
The incident that led to my friend's imprisonment was a car accident that resulted in fatalities and injuries.
Turn, turn, turn again
I try again to find any evidence or explanation that could alter the unfavorable situation.
There were four people killed and he was at the wheel
My friend was driving the car that caused the accident, and it resulted in multiple deaths.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I feel lost and helpless, seeking for guidance from a source that is beyond my control and understanding.
But I knew him as well as I know my own self
I insist that my friend is not a malicious criminal, and I can vouch for his character and intentions.
Turn, turn, turn again
I keep repeating my defense and plea, but it seems to fall on deaf ears.
And he wouldn't harm a life that belonged to someone else
I stress that my friend would never intentionally harm anyone or take a life, especially one that did not belong to him.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I remain persistent even though I am aware that it might be a futile attempt.
That may be so said the judge from the side of his mouth
The judge shows a sign of skepticism and disbelief towards my argument and insists on following the law and evidence presented.
Turn, turn, turn again
I continue to seek justice and mercy that might not be available in the legal system.
But the witness who saw it, he left little doubt
An eyewitness testifies against my friend and provides evidence that leaves little doubt about his responsibility and guilt.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am still hoping for a miracle that could shift the outcome in my friend's favor.
He may, he may have a sentence to server
My friend might face a long punishment for his actions, as a result of strict laws and justice system.
Turn, turn, turn again
I am not giving up yet, and I am willing to try every possible angle to find a way out.
But ninety-nine years, he just does not deserve
Even though my friend committed a mistake that led to severe consequences, I believe that the punishment he received is too harsh and unfair.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am aware that my quest is as challenging and unpredictable as the weather patterns, but I am still seeking answers and comfort.
Too late, too late, for his case it is sealed
The time for appeal, changes, or protests has passed, and my friend's fate is sealed according to the court's decision.
Turn, turn, turn again
I can't help but keep searching for a way out and a sliver of hope, even if it seems impossible.
A sentence, it is passed and it can not be repealed
The judge's verdict is final, and there is no way to change the outcome of my friend's case.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am still looking for some sort of reasoning, explanation or solace in the face of this harsh and unchangeable reality.
But he ain't no criminal and his crime it is none
I refuse to perceive my friend as a criminal, since I believe that his mistake was not one of malice, but just an accident and a tragedy.
Turn, turn, turn again
I am grasping at straws and trying to find any glimmer of truth or fairness in this dark and bleak situation.
And what happened to him could have happened to anyone
I emphasize that my friend's situation is not unique or exclusive to him, but it could have beenfallen anyone in his position.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I keep seeking sympathy and understanding, hoping that someone would hear me out and offer kindness and mercy.
At that the judge jumped forward and his face did freeze
The judge is taken aback by my statement and reacts defensively to my accusations and protests.
Turn, turn, turn again
I am still searching for closure and comprehension in this painful and disillusioning experience.
Sayin', ?Would you kindly leave my office now, please?
The judge dismisses me and asks me to leave his office, implying that further discussion or negotiation is futile.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am left with nothing but my own devices and resources, as even the authorities are unwilling to assist or intervene.
I squinted my eyes and I stood up slow
I stare at the judge in disbelief and shock, trying to process what just happened and what it means for me and my friend.
Turn, turn, turn again
I am still searching for answers and insight, hoping that a solution can be found or a lesson can be learned.
With no other choice except for me to go
I realize that there is nothing left for me to do or say, so I give up on my quest for justice and mercy.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am once again seeking refuge and consolation from the unpredictable and ever-changing forces of nature.
I walked down the hall and I heard his door slam
I leave the judge's office, feeling rejected and disillusioned, as represented by the sound of his door slamming behind me.
Turn, turn, turn again
I am still seeking resolution and closure, even if it seems elusive and unattainable.
I walked down the stairs but I did not understand
I descend the stairs, still feeling confused and numb, unable to comprehend the gravity and finality of the situation.
Turn, turn to the wind and the rain
I am still hoping for some sort of answer or revelation that could soothe my confusion and sorrow.
And I played my guitar through the night and through the day
I turn to music as a source of healing and comfort, playing my guitar incessantly without any regard to time or fatigue.
Turn, turn, turn again
I am still seeking understanding and solace in the form of music, hoping that its melodies and rhythms would penetrate my soul and relieve my spirit.
But the only tune that my guitar would play
Despite my best efforts and intentions, my guitar is incapable of producing any tune except that of sorrow and lamentation.
Was oh how cruel, the wind and the rain
The only melody that echoes from my guitar is that of despair and agony, as I try to cope with the harsh and unrelenting forces of nature that seem to work against me and my friend.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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