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 “for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”. 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
Ballad of Hollis Brown
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children
And his cabin fallin' down
You looked for work and money
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh, please send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh, please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell ya
That you ain't a-got no friend
Your babies are crying louder
It's pounding on your brain
Your babies are crying louder
It's pounding on your brain
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain
Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
Your grass is turning black
There's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hangin' on the wall
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewheres in the distance
There's seven new people born
"The Ballad of Hollis Brown" tells the story of a poor farmer named Hollis Brown who struggles to provide for his family. The song describes how Brown lives on the outskirts of town with his wife and five children in a cabin that is falling apart. He is unable to find work or provide food for his hungry children, and his desperation eventually leads him to contemplate suicide.
Throughout the song, Dylan paints a bleak picture of life on the fringes of society, where poverty, hunger, and despair are rampant. The lyrics are a commentary on the harsh realities of life for those who lack social and economic privilege.
In the final verse, it is revealed that Brown has killed his family and himself. This tragic ending serves as a warning against the dangers of neglecting those in need and allowing them to fall through the cracks.
Overall, "The Ballad of Hollis Brown" is a haunting and powerful depiction of poverty and despair. It highlights the need for greater social and economic justice, and the importance of supporting those who are struggling to survive.
Line by Line Meaning
Hollis Brown
The singer of the song
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown and his family lived in poverty and isolation
With his wife and five children
Hollis was responsible for a large family
And his cabin fallin' down
Their living conditions are terrible
You looked for work and money
And you walked a ragged mile
Hollis searched desperately for a job that could provide for his family, despite the effort and distance required
Your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile
The severity of their hunger deprives even the littlest joys of life
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
The stress and pressure of the situation affects everyone in the family, especially the youngest
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe
Hollis regrets his current situation and the decisions that lead to it
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
Even the little resources that Hollis had are being taken away or destroyed
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?
Hollis feels abandoned and alone in his struggles
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh, please send you a friend
Hollis loses hope and turns to God for support
Your empty pockets tell ya
That you ain't a-got no friend
The lack of financial support is a hard reminder of his isolation
Your babies are crying louder
It's pounding on your brain
The sound of his children suffering is unbearable to Hollis
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain
Even his wife's pain is causing him agony
Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
The scarcity of resources is leading to the death of the little they had
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells
Hollis takes desperate measures to protect his family
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
The wilderness surrounds them ominously
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
The extreme stress is causing physical pain
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hangin' on the wall
Hollis's desperation has driven him to suicidal thoughts
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
The air of foreboding suggests something terrible is about to happen
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar
Hollis has committed a murder-suicide of his family and himself
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
The tragedy is complete
Somewheres in the distance
There's seven new people born
Life goes on and replaces what has been lost
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rob Hagen
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children
And his cabin broken down
Oh he looked for work and money
And he walked a ragged mile
Oh he looked for work and money
And he walked a ragged mile
And your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe
Hey, hey!
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
Oh
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?
And oh, you prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
And oh, you prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you
That you ain't a-got no friend
Your babies' eyes are crying
It's pounding on your brain
Your babies' eyes are crying
It's pounding on your brain
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain
Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
Your grass is turning black
There's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hangin' on the wall
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh, Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance
There's seven new people born
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Bob Dylan
Ballad of Hollis Brown lyrics © Special Rider Music, Universal Tunes
Bravo Mr. Zimmerman !
Olga Tee
Grand Tribute to Hollis Brown.. and to all living in same poor situations..sad Ballad😔
LYRICS: BALLAD OF HOLLIS BROWN
WRITTEN BY: BOB DYLAN
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children
And his cabin fallin’ down
You looked for work and money
And you walked a rugged mile
You looked for work and money
And you walked a rugged mile
Your children are so hungry
That they don’t know how to smile
Your baby’s eyes look crazy
They’re a-tuggin’ at your sleeve
Your baby’s eyes look crazy
They’re a-tuggin’ at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
If there’s anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell yuh
That you ain’t a-got no friend
Your babies are crying louder
It’s pounding on your brain
Your babies are crying louder now
It’s pounding on your brain
Your wife’s screams are stabbin’ you
Like the dirty drivin’ rain
Your grass it is turning black
There’s no water in your well
Your grass is turning black
There’s no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That’s hangin’ on the wall
Your brain is a-bleedin’
And your legs can’t seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin’
And your legs can’t seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you’re holdin’ in your hand
There’s seven breezes a-blowin’
All around the cabin door
There’s seven breezes a-blowin’
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean’s pounding roar
There’s seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
There’s seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance
There’s seven new people born
Copyright © 1963 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1991 by Special Rider Music
Juan Camacho
Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown, he lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children and his cabin brokin' down
You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile
You looked for work and money and you walked a rugged mile
Your children are so hungry that they don't know how to smile
Your baby's eyes look crazy, they're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy, they're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why with every breath you breathe
The rats, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
The rats, it got your flour, bad blood, it got your mare
If there's anyone that knows is there anyone that cares?
You prayed to the Lord above, oh, please, send you a friend
You prayed to the Lord above, oh, please, send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you that you ain't a-got no friend
Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain
Your babies are crying louder now, it's a-pounding on your brain
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you like the dirty drivin' rain
Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well
Your grass is turning black, there's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar on seven shotgun shels
Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness a cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shortgun that's hangin' on the wall
Your brain is a-bleedin' and your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin' and your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shortgun that you're holdin' in your hand
There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door
There's seven breezes blowin' all around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out like the ocean's pounding roar
🎵🎶🎵🎶
There's seven people dead an a South Dakota farm
There's seven people dead on a South Dakota farm
Somewheres in the distance there's seven new people born
PresterJon
This is genius. Bob plays with the pronouns "he" and "you", and that tiny little thing makes the whole fucking song. At a point, Hollis Brown goes from being "he" to "you". It's a magician's sleight of hand. You don't notice it, but it makes it suddenly so personal. Now you're having starving screaming children. Now you're the one on the island. Now you're the one who picks up the shotgun.
The only other time he reverts back to "he" is when he prays to the lord to send you a friend, and then it's right back to you praying for yourself.
He forces you to be Hollis Brown. He makes you make that choice. That is the powerful songwriting you'll never see again.
common logic
Woooow
azcactus2008
Thanks for that detail. So true
Erick Deveau
He's absolutely amazing.
Wayne Johanson
Great Observation.
Legalize Cannibalism!
@Wayne Johanson yeah, man.... fuck it
Benaiah
This is one of my favorite examples of storytelling in music. He is so good at setting up the misery of the family that it makes the climax so intense to listen to. The last lines longer in your mind.
THEJR1948
I have been a Bob Dylan fan since 1963ish Almost 60 years and the power of Bob's lyrics still upset me. There are so many songs that hit you in the guts, and make you sit up and pat attention.
Vic Wigner
What a powerful, haunting song. Nazareth does a amazing cover of it on their "Loud n Proud" album. Dan McCafferty's vocals give me chills everytime I listen to it.
cargiar
some of the most bone chilling, depictive lyrics ever written. Superb.