Duncan and Brady
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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Well, it's twinkle, twinkle little star
Along came Brady in his 'lectric car
Got a mean look right in his eye
Gonna shoot somebody just to see him die
Well, he been on the job too long

Well, Duncan, Duncan was tending the bar
Along comes Brady with his shiny star
Brady says, Duncan, you are under arrest
And Duncan shot a hole right in Brady's chest
Yes, he been on the job too long

Brady, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Yes, you been on the job too long

Well, old King Brady was a big fat man
Doctor reached out, grabbed hold of his hand
He felt for his pulse, doctor said
"I believe unto my soul King Brady's dead"
Yes, he been on the job too long

High tailed carriages standing around
Waiting to take King Brady to the burying ground
High tailed carriages, rubber tired hack
Well, they took him to the graveyard
But they didn't bring him back
Yes, he been on the job too long

Well, women all heard King Brady was dead
They go back home and re-rag in red
Come a-slipping and a-sliding and a-shuffling down the street
In their big Mother Hubbards and their stocking feet
He been on the job too long

Well, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Breaking in here when my game's going on
Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door




And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Yes, you been on the job too long

Overall Meaning

Bob Dylan's song "Duncan and Brady" tells the story of two men who meet in a bar, one of whom is a corrupt police officer who has been on the job for too long. As the lyrics go, "He been on the job too long." The other man, Duncan, tends the bar and the two of them exchange heated words. When the officer, named Brady, tries to arrest Duncan, a scuffle ensues and Duncan shoots him dead.


The song then tells of the aftermath of the shooting, with the doctor confirming Brady's death and the women of the town mourning him in their Mother Hubbard dresses. The song ends with the repeated refrain of "He been on the job too long," suggesting that the corruption and violence of law enforcement can only last for so long before it comes crashing down.


The lyrics of "Duncan and Brady" have been interpreted in a number of ways, with some speculating that it is related to the murder of New York officer John Brady in the 1850s. Others believe it may refer to a real-life incident in which a police officer in Dylan's hometown of Hibbing, Minnesota was shot and killed.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, it's twinkle, twinkle little star
The song begins with a line that doesn't have any direct connection to the rest of the song. It's just an introduction to the story that's about to unfold.


Along came Brady in his 'lectric car
Brady, the sheriff, arrives in his electric car, which was a fairly new invention at the time, to the bar where Duncan is tending bar.


Got a mean look right in his eye
Brady has a look on his face that suggests that he means business and he's not there for a friendly chat.


Gonna shoot somebody just to see him die
Brady is so threatening that Dylan implies that he would shoot someone just to watch them die. It shows how brutal and dangerous Brady is.


Well, he been on the job too long
The repetition of this line at the end of every stanza acts as a chorus and suggests that Brady's been a sheriff for too long and has become corrupted by the power of his position.


Well, Duncan, Duncan was tending the bar
Duncan, the singer of the song, is introduced properly. He's doing his job, just as he always does.


Along comes Brady with his shiny star
Brady arrives and brandishes his badge, which is a symbol of his supposed authority. It's shiny and new, but it doesn't fool Duncan.


Brady says, Duncan, you are under arrest
Brady accuses Duncan of some vague crime and attempts to place him under arrest.


And Duncan shot a hole right in Brady's chest
Duncan, fearing for his life, defends himself against Brady by shooting him dead.


Brady, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong
Duncan speaks to Brady's corpse and confirms that he knows he deserved what he got. He's calling out the corruption that led to Brady's downfall.


Breaking in here when my game's going on
Duncan highlights the injustice of Brady's actions. He interrupted the game that the regulars at the bar were enjoying, which was harmless fun.


Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door
Duncan shows how much damage Brady caused just to try and assert his power and control over the people in the bar.


And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor
Duncan's actions have led to Brady's death, and he acknowledges it. It's the inevitable conclusion to Brady's abusive behavior.


Well, old King Brady was a big fat man
Duncan derisively refers to Brady as 'King Brady', mocking his supposed authority and status in the town.


Doctor reached out, grabbed hold of his hand
The doctor takes Brady's pulse, which confirms that he's dead. There's no hope for him.


He felt for his pulse, doctor said
The repetition of the word 'pulse' emphasizes the finality of death, and how it's a physical, measurable event.


I believe unto my soul King Brady's dead
Despite the doctor's medical training, he's still referring to Brady as 'King Brady', acknowledging his power in the town.


High tailed carriages standing around
The townspeople have come to take Brady's body away, and they're waiting patiently.


Waiting to take King Brady to the burying ground
The townspeople are going to give Brady a proper burial, but it's not clear if they're doing it out of respect for him or just as a formality.


High tailed carriages, rubber tired hack
The type of carriage that's transporting Brady's body is mentioned. It's a small detail, but it adds to the overall mood and atmosphere of the song.


Well, they took him to the graveyard
The townspeople follow through on their intentions and properly bury Brady's body in the graveyard.


But they didn't bring him back
Despite the effort of the townspeople, they can't bring Brady back to life. His actions have led him to a permanent end, and there's no resurrection for him.


Well, women all heard King Brady was dead
The news of Brady's death spreads quickly, and even women, who are not usually involved in such matters, come out to hear what happened.


They go back home and re-rag in red
The women are wearing red clothes as a sign of mourning for Brady's death. This is a form of ritualistic behavior that people engage in to show respect for the dead.


Come a-slipping and a-sliding and a-shuffling down the street
The women are not walking with their usual grace and dignity, but in a shuffling, unsteady way that captures the sense of chaos and confusion that surrounds Brady's death.


In their big Mother Hubbards and their stocking feet
The women are wearing comfortable clothes that allow them to move freely, but also suggest that they're in a state of undress and disarray.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TOM RUSH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Boba Mis

This is glorious. Was the first song I ever saw Bob play in person, the next year in Memphis. Great, great stuff! He was on a roll in Fall '00.

Larry Francona

... that was a great sound in the early 2000s, Bobby. So true.

Bernie Bass

Again, an outstanding performance of "Duncan & Brady" by Mr Bob 😀

Larry Francona

Saw many shows during this era. Loved the Duncan & Brady opener. The Larry Campbell Era - beauty.

DorothyParker

I loved when his shows opened with that one, and Roving Gambler, and that lovely fragrance of Nag Champa. You can even see the big sticks of it in the video! Great times! Thanks!

Peter Piper

Love that track........

peki buzz

20 years ago, can you believe it? 🥰

peki buzz

@Woolhall Just phantastic, happy for you, good memories! 🥰👍😎

Woolhall

Yes , I was one of the lucky ones to get a ticket with my brother and travel over to Ireland and film this, but got stopped halfway through the show, but happy to get the first few songs inc this gem.

Poobalan Pather

Never can get a proper live video of Bob Dylan. It's always someone's cell fone.

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