Oxford Town
Bob Dylan/To Cry/ll Night) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everybody's got their heads bowed down
The sun don't shine above the ground
Ain't a-goin' down to Oxford Town
He went down to Oxford Town
Guns and clubs followed him down
All because his face was brown
Oxford Town around the bend
Come to the door, he couldn't get in
All because of the color of his skin
What do you think about that, my friend?
Me and my gal, my gal's son
We got met with a tear gas bomb
I don't even know why we come
Goin' back where we come from
Oxford Town in the afternoon
Everybody singin' a sorrowful tune
Two men died 'neath the Mississippi moon
Somebody better investigate soon
Bob Dylan's song Oxford Town was written in response to the events surrounding James Meredith's enrollment at the University of Mississippi in 1962, during a time of heated racial tensions in the United States. At the beginning of the song, Dylan sings that everyone has their heads bowed down and that the sun doesn't shine above the ground. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the events in Oxford. The chorus sets up the central motif of the song. The singer declares that he is "not going down to Oxford Town", implying that Oxford is a dangerous and hostile place.
In the second verse, Dylan sings that "guns and clubs followed him down" as he went to Oxford Town. This line paints a vivid picture of the violent opposition that James Meredith faced when he attempted to enroll at the University. Dylan doesn't mince words when he says that this opposition was "all because his face was brown." The third verse tells a more personal story about someone who couldn't get into a building in Oxford because of the color of their skin. The singer asks "What do you think about that, my friend?" seemingly challenging the listener to consider their own views on race relations.
The fourth verse tells a brief story about the singer, his girlfriend, and her son being met with a tear gas bomb. The singer is confused as to why they even bothered to come to Oxford. The final verse states that somebody needs to investigate the events that have taken place beneath the Mississippi moon. This line is a call to action for those who hear the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Oxford Town, Oxford Town
The song is about Oxford, Mississippi, and its struggle with racial tension.
Everybody's got their heads bowed down
The citizens of Oxford are living with fear, uncertainty and are not able to speak their mind without trouble.
The sun don't shine above the ground
The reality of Oxford is harsh and oppressive, burying under its veil any hope of freedom or happiness.
Ain't a-goin' down to Oxford Town
The artist is quite clear that he wants nothing to do with Oxford.
He went down to Oxford Town
The song introduces a character who went to Oxford for unknown reasons.
Guns and clubs followed him down
The character was being followed or threatened by the police for reasons unknown (perhaps because of his ethnicity).
All because his face was brown
The song seems to suggest that the character was racially profiled and targeted by the police for his skin color.
Better get away from Oxford Town
The artist is encouraging the character to leave the dangerous town and return to a safer place.
Oxford Town around the bend
The song takes a turn and introduces a new setting somewhere in the same geographical area.
Come to the door, he couldn't get in
The song tells a story of someone being denied access to a home or building, presumably because of their race.
All because of the color of his skin
Again, the song highlights how racism and discrimination played a role in this character's experience.
What do you think about that, my friend?
The artist asks an open-ended and rhetorical question about racism, forcing listeners to reflect on the issues presented in the song thus far.
Me and my gal, my gal's son
The singer shifts to the first person and introduces two new characters, a man and his girlfriend with her son.
We got met with a tear gas bomb
The family experienced a violent attack (perhaps from the police), with tear gas being used as a weapon.
I don't even know why we come
The singer is questioning why they ever traveled to Oxford, given the danger and oppression they faced there.
Goin' back where we come from
The family is returning to their original home or destination, as Oxford proved to be too unsafe and unwelcoming.
Oxford Town in the afternoon
The song shifts to a new time of day, with Oxford still being the geographic location being sung about.
Everybody singin' a sorrowful tune
The singer observes people in Oxford showing their sadness and grief about something (perhaps related to racism and violence).
Two men died 'neath the Mississippi moon
The song confirms that violence and death occurred in Oxford, with two men losing their lives.
Somebody better investigate soon
The artist calls for some sort of intervention or inquiry into what transpired in Oxford, perhaps hoping that justice will be served.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind