Dylan started his musical odyssey in 1959 when he began playing in Dinkytown, Minneapolis while attending the University of Minnesota. Shortly after starting to play he changed his stage name to Bob Dylan, after being influenced by the poetry of Dylan Thomas before legally changing his name in 1962.
Much of his best known work is from the 1960s, when he became an informal documentarian and reluctant figurehead of American unrest, promoted by Joan Baez. Some of his songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'", became anthems of the anti-war and civil rights movements, with Joan Baez and Dylan singing together at the March on Washington in 1963. However he later became disenchanted with the civil liberty protest scene, feeling that he had been used by them.
His album Bringing It All Back Home marked a move away from the folk scene and a move towards rock and roll and Dylan began to consciously distance himself from his early association with civil rights. He also started to become irritated when being interviewed, often given facetious or irreverent answers to questions. Bringing It All Back Home was a controversial album as it the first on which he played electric guitar. This was seen by some of his fans as a betrayal of this folk roots, with some saying that it obscured his meaningful and poetic lyrics.
The second half of the 1960s was marked by a string of well received releases, with his song "Like a Rolling Stone", released in July of 1965, later being named "The Greatest Song of All Time" by Rolling Stone magazine in 2004, placing #1 in a list of 500 titles. It also marked the formation of Dylan's backing band The Hawks (who would later call themselves simply The Band). Dylan embarked on a world tour of Australia and Europe in 1966, during which he seemed to be under a lot of strain and pressure by both his fans, the music press and his own promoters. Dylan himself admitted that he began taking drugs seriously whilst on this tour, and found it immensely hard work. On returning to New York he crashed his motorbike, sustaining serious injuries in the process, and went into a period of withdrawal while he recuperated. During the late 1960s, Dylan again changed stylistic tradition, moving away from the psychedelic culture of the time. It was then that he recorded All Along the Watchtower, perhaps more famously recorded by Jimi Hendrix.
The 1970s were a period during which Dylan was more sporadic in his output, releasing some poorly received LPs. He rarely appeared in person until 1974, when he began touring again with his backing band The Band. He also wrote one of his most extensively covered songs, Knockin' On Heaven's Door, as well as what is now recognised as one of his best albums Blood On The Tracks. Towards the end of the 1970s, Dylan discovered Christ, and released some albums of gospel music. He started to talk to the crowd about his faith during his performances, and wouldn't play any of his early work, which alienated some of his previous fans.
Dylan today still remains an influential and popular artist; despite a period of little note between 1980-2000, his 2006 album Modern Times reached the US chart at #1, as did his 2009 album Together Through Life, in the US, Britain, France and several other countries. His 2012 album Tempest was also critically acclaimed. Since 1988, Dylan has been on the so-called Never Ending Tour, during which his performances have provoked controversy, with some critics claiming that his lyrics have become incomprehensible, an experience which is not helped by his tendency to change his set-list and vocals almost every performance.
Bob Dylan's strong influence over the past few years is becoming even more prominent amongst a growing group of younger emerging artists such as George Ellias and Devendra Banhart. Dylan's early lyrics incorporated politics, social commentary, philosophy and literary influences, defying existing pop music conventions and appealing widely to the counterculture of the time. While expanding and personalizing musical styles, Dylan has shown steadfast devotion to traditions of American song, from folk and country/blues to rock and roll and rockabilly, to Gaelic balladry, even jazz, swing and Broadway.
Dylan performs with the guitar, keyboard and harmonica. Backed by a changing lineup of musicians, he has toured steadily since the late 1980s. He has also recently performed alongside other iconic artists, such as Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Tom Petty and Eric Clapton. Although his contributions as a performer and recording artist have been central to his career, his songwriting is generally held as his highest accomplishment.
Nobel Prize for Literature (2016) - On October 13, 2016, Dylan was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for āfor having created new poetic expressions within the great American song traditionā. The prestigious award has been given annually since 1901 and previous Nobel Laureates for Literature include Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett. Here is the speech written by Dylan, although unable to attend:
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/10/arts/bob-dylan-nobel-prize-acceptance-speech.html?_r=0
Aināt Talkinā
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
Someone hit me from behind
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through this weary world of woe
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
They say prayer has the power to heal
So pray from the mother
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
I am a-tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others
But oh, mother, things ain't going well
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost
Now I'm all worn down by weeping
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I'll just slaughter 'em where they lie
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' through the cities of the plague
Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
The whole wide world which people say is round
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Eatin' hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Some day you'll be glad to have me around
They will crush you with wealth and power
Every waking moment you could crack
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll avenge my father's death then I'll step back
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Hand me down my walkin' cane
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Got to get you out of my miserable brain
All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
My mule is sick, my horse is blind
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Thinkin' 'bout that gal I left behind
Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin'
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire gone out but the light is never dyin'
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Carryin' a dead man's shield
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' with a toothache in my heel
The sufferin' is unending
Every nook and cranny has its tears
I'm not playing, I'm not pretending
I'm not nursin' any superfluous fears
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Walkin' ever since the other night
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' 'til I'm clean out of sight
As I walked out in the mystic garden
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn
Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon
There's no one here, the gardener is gone
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Up the road, around the bend
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
In the last outback at the world's end
The lyrics of "Ain't Talkin'" by Bob Dylan describe the struggles of a solitary narrator as they wander through a bleak and threatening world. In the first verse, the singer describes a garden where everything seems to be wounded or dying. Though surrounded by such dire conditions, the singer remains stoic and resolute, only stating their intentions to continue walking through the world. The singer goes on to discuss the power of prayer and their attempts to love their neighbors and be good to others, despite the troubles they face. The second verse continues this sense of hardship and isolation, with the singer expressing a desire to destroy those who they see as their opponents. They also express their disillusionment with the world, with all its speculation and its tendency to take advantage of those in a weakened state. The song concludes with the singer wandering toward the world's end, evoking a sense of the journey and continuation of the singer's own trials as they walk.
This song is a haunting and contemplative exploration of the human condition, particularly in times of difficulty and dislocation. It offers a sobering view of the world, where darkness seems to be the norm and hope is a scarce commodity. At the same time, it is a powerful statement of resilience and determination, suggesting that even in the face of overwhelming odds, one can keep pushing forward.
Line by Line Meaning
As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden
I strolled through a serene natural environment
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
The garden was in a state of disrepair
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
I observed a sparkling fountain
Someone hit me from behind
I was unexpectedly attacked
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
I'm remaining silent and moving forward
Through this weary world of woe
I'm traversing a difficult and sorrowful world
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
My emotions are intense and my desires are strong
No one on earth would ever know
I'm keeping my feelings to myself
They say prayer has the power to heal
Many believe in the healing power of prayer
So pray from the mother
I'm asking for the help of a higher power
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
People can harbor malevolent thoughts and emotions
I am a-tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others
I'm attempting to lead a moral and loving life
But oh, mother, things ain't going well
Despite my efforts, my circumstances aren't improving
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
I'll be proactive and destroy any possibility of betrayal
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost
I won't show any compassion to those who have wronged me
Now I'm all worn down by weeping
I'm exhausted from my emotional turmoil
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
I'm experiencing the physical effects of crying
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I won't hesitate to attack when they're vulnerable
I'll just slaughter 'em where they lie
I'll take revenge without mercy or restraint
Through the world mysterious and vague
The world is full of mystery and uncertainty
Walkin' through the cities of the plague
I'm moving through disease-ridden urban areas
Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
People are always theorizing about everything
The whole wide world which people say is round
The world is commonly believed to be spherical
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
Others will distract you from introspection
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down
People will take advantage of your weaknesses
Eatin' hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town
I'm consuming greasy food in a dirty, rural town
Some day you'll be glad to have me around
One day, my presence will be appreciated
They will crush you with wealth and power
The wealthy and powerful can be oppressive
Every waking moment you could crack
Life can be overwhelming and stressful
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll seize any opportunity I have left
I'll avenge my father's death then I'll step back
I'll seek vengeance for my father and then remove myself from the situation
Hand me down my walkin' cane
I'm requesting my walking stick
Got to get you out of my miserable brain
I want to forget you and move on
All my loyal and my much-loved companions
My close friends and associates
They approve of me and share my code
They endorse my values and beliefs
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
I adhere to a religion that's no longer popular
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road
I'm traveling a solitary path without religious landmarks
My mule is sick, my horse is blind
I'm dealing with obstacles and challenges
Thinkin' 'bout that gal I left behind
I'm reminiscing about a girl I parted ways with
Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin'
The sky is clear and vehicles are moving quickly
Fame and honor never seem to fade
Reputation is long-lasting
The fire gone out but the light is never dyin'
Even when flames extinguish, the glow remains
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?
I'm questioning whether divine intervention is possible
Carryin' a dead man's shield
I'm carrying the burden of a deceased person
Walkin' with a toothache in my heel
I'm enduring physical pain while walking
The sufferin' is unending
I'm constantly experiencing pain and hardship
Every nook and cranny has its tears
Every detail carries sadness and pain
I'm not playing, I'm not pretending
I'm not pretending to be happy or carefree
I'm not nursin' any superfluous fears
I'm not dwelling on unnecessary worries
Walkin' ever since the other night
I've been walking continuously since a recent event
Walkin' 'til I'm clean out of sight
I'll be walking a long distance
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn
It was a scorching day on a parched lawn
Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon
I'm politely interrupting a woman
There's no one here, the gardener is gone
The garden is abandoned
Up the road, around the bend
Further along the path
In the last outback at the world's end
At the edge of the world and civilization
Lyrics Ā© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Camacho
As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
Someone hit me from behind
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through this weary world of woe
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
No one on earth would ever know
They say prayer has the power to heal
So pray from the mother
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
I am a-tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others
But oh, mother, things ain't going well
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost
Now I'm all worn down by weeping
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I'll just slaughter 'em where they lie
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' through the cities of the plague
Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
The whole wide world which people say is round
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Eatin' hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Some day you'll be glad to have me around
They will crush you with wealth and power
Every waking moment you could crack
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll avenge my father's death then I'll step back
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Hand me down my walkin' cane
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Got to get you out of my miserable brain
All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
My mule is sick, my horse is blind
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Thinkin' 'bout that gal I left behind
Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flyin'
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire gone out but the light is never dyin'
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Carryin' a dead man's shield
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' with a toothache in my heel
The sufferin' is unending
Every nook and cranny has its tears
I'm not playing, I'm not pretending
I'm not nursin' any superfluous fears
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Walkin' ever since the other night
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' 'til I'm clean out of sight
As I walked out in the mystic garden
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn
Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon
There's no one here, the gardener is gone
Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Up the road, around the bend
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
In the last outback at the world's end
Martin & Guitar
LYRICS:
As I walked out tonight in the mystic garden
The wounded flowers were dangling from the vine
I was passing by yon cool crystal fountain
Someone hit me from behind
Ain't talking, just walking
Through this weary world of woe
Heart burning, still yearning
No one on earth would ever know
They say prayer has the power to heal
So pray for me, mother
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
I am trying to love my neighbor and do good unto others
But oh, mother, things ain't going well
Ain't talking, just walking
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
Heart burning, still yearning
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost
Now I'm all worn down by weeping
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I'll just slaughter them where they lie
Ain't talking, just walking
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burning, still yearning
Walking through the cities of the plague.
Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
The whole wide world which people say is round
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down
Ain't talking, just walking
Eating hog eyed grease in a hog eyed town.
Heart burning, still yearning
Some day you'll be glad to have me around.
They will crush you with wealth and power
Every waking moment you could crack
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll revenge my father's death then I'll step back
Ain't talking, just walking
Hand me down my walking cane.
Heart burning, still yearning
Got to get you out of my miserable brain.
All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road
Ain't talking, just walking
My mule is sick, my horse is blind.
Heart burning, still yearning
Thinking about that girl I left behind.
Well, it's bright in the heavens and the wheels are flying
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire gone out but the light is never dying
Who says I can't get heavenly aid?
Ain't talking, just walking
Carrying a dead man's shield
Heart burning, still yearning
Walking with an ache in my heel
The suffering is unending
Every nook and cranny has its tears
I'm not playing, I'm not pretending
I'm not nursing any superfluous fears
Ain't talking, just walking
Walking ever since the other night.
Heart burning, still yearning
Walking until I'm clean out of sight.
As I walked out in the mystic garden
On a hot summer day, a hot summer lawn
Excuse me, ma'am, I beg your pardon
There's no one here, the gardener is gone
Ain't talking, just walking
Up the road, around the bend.
Heart burning, still yearning
In the last outback at the world's end.
ian sings
"As I walked out in the mystic garden,
on a hot summer day, hot summer lawn.
Excuse me m'am,
I beg your pardon.
There's no one here, the gardener is gone..
Ain't talkin, just walkin
Up the road
around the bend.
Heart burnin,
still yearnin.
In the last outback
at the world's end."
William Fever
Hard to believe it was written in 2006. Dylan, after all these years, was still able to write a masterpiece. He never lost it, he still got it.
Karol Dorian
His last albums were the best
TheScramble
@Karol DorianWhat do you think about time out of mind ?
Constant wireless
"Iāll avenge my fatherās death then Iāll step back. Walkinā with a toothache in my heel" Dylan singing about Jesus with a aching heel who crushed satan the murderer of Adam (and us). This is a great and powerfull song.
JackTheMusicGuy
@TheScramble I really enjoyed that album I think its his best out of "Love and Theft" and "Modern times" , "Can't wait" has to be my favorite song from "Time out of mind".
Vagabond245
Another one of his many underrated songs. The absolute best and greatest song writer in history.
larry english
Another one of Bob's Greatest songs written in History.
Robert Browne
This song is one of Dylanās hidden gems.
Semliot
The way the entire song is in a minor key until the last ringing chord, which is major... it makes it seem like there's a happy ending hidden in there somewhere. I like it.
Stephen Lee
Dylan's musicianship becomes more and more evident as his career progresses. He has some claim to be considered a major composer I think.