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
Early Roman Kings
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In their sharkskin suits
Bow ties and buttons
High top boots
Drivin' the spikes in
Blazin' the rails
Nailed in their coffins
In top hats and tails
Fly away, little bird
Fly away, flap your wings
Fly by night
Like the early Roman kings
All the early Roman kings
In the early, early morn'
Coming down the mountain
Distributing the corn
Speeding through the forest
Racing down the track
You try to get away
They drag you back
Tomorrow is Friday
We'll see what it brings
Everybody's talking
'Bout the early Roman kings
They're peddlers and they're meddlers
They buy and they sell
They destroyed your city
They'll destroy you as well
They're lecherous and treacherous
Hell-bent for leather
Each of 'em bigger
Than all men put together
Sluggers and muggers
Wearing fancy gold rings
All the women goin' crazy
For the early Roman kings
I can dress up your wounds
With a blood-clotted rag
I ain't afraid to make love
To a bitch or a hag
If you see me comin'
And you're standing there
Wave your handkerchief
In the air
I ain't dead yet
My bell still rings
I keep my fingers crossed
Like them early Roman kings
I can strip you of life
Strip you of breath
Ship you down
To the house of death
One day
You will ask for me
There'll be no one else
That you'll wanna see
Bring down my fiddle
Tune up my strings
I'm gonna break it wide open
Like the early Roman kings
I was up on black mountain
The day Detroit fell
They killed 'em all off
And they sent 'em to hell
Ding dong daddy
You're coming up short
Gonna put you on trial
In a Sicilian court
I've had my fun
I've had my flings
Gonna shake 'em all down
Like the early Roman kings
The song "Early Roman Kings" by Bob Dylan is a reflection of the corruption and greed of those in power. Dylan uses imagery of the ancient Roman Empire to describe the actions of those in society who abuse their power for their own benefit. The lyrics suggest that these individuals are willing to destroy anyone or anything that gets in their way in pursuit of their selfish desires.
The verses describe the early Roman kings adorned in their finest suits, bow ties, and high-top boots, driving spikes and blazing rails. They are seen as dominant figures with their size and lecherous nature. The chorus describes them as fleeting, like a bird flying away in the night, suggesting that their power is short-lived. Dylan goes on to describe them as peddlers and meddlers, buying and selling whatever they can to increase their wealth, even if it means destroying entire cities. The early Roman kings are treacherous and full of greed, willing to do whatever it takes to maintain their power.
The final verse describes Dylan himself as a survivor who has seen much of this greed and corruption over the years. He can dress wounds and make love to anyone who needs it, showing his willingness to help others. He claims that he is not afraid of death and that he will continue to play his fiddle, just like the early Roman kings. The repeated reference to the early Roman kings suggests that, like these historical figures, those in power today will eventually fall, and their empires will be no more.
Line by Line Meaning
All the early Roman kings
The powerful leaders who ruled in ancient Rome
In their sharkskin suits
Dressed flamboyantly in suits made of a shiny fabric
Bow ties and buttons
Adorned with accessories such as bowties and fine buttons
High top boots
Wearing trendy boots that go up to their knees
Drivin' the spikes in
Constructing railroads and making them functional by securing the spikes in place
Blazin' the rails
Expanding the rail networks at a rapid pace
Nailed in their coffins
Ended up meeting their ultimate fate
In top hats and tails
Dressed in their finest suits, as they were put to rest with dignity
Fly away, little bird
Fly away and escape from the rulers who are oppressive
Fly away, flap your wings
Use your abilities to escape from the ancient Roman rulers
Fly by night
Flee quickly and under the cover of darkness
Like the early Roman kings
As the leaders of Rome were oppressive and could be equated with the devil
All the early Roman kings
The mighty rulers of ancient Rome
In the early, early morn'
Start of the day, in the early hours of the morning
Coming down the mountain
Descending from the hills where they had made their abode
Distributing the corn
They were engaged in the business of grain distribution
Speeding through the forest
Racing through the forests to reach their destination
Racing down the track
Going fast on the rails on their way to their intended destination
You try to get away
Seeking to distance yourself from their oppression
They drag you back
But they grab and force you to return to face the ramifications
Tomorrow is Friday
Referencing that it's time to celebrate the onset of the weekend
We'll see what it brings
Asking to later see what the future holds
Everybody's talking
Everyone is discussing their deeds
'Bout the early Roman kings
About those who ruled Rome
They're peddlers and they're meddlers
They are viewed as shady character who engage in underhanded dealings
They buy and they sell
Haggling over prices and vending commodities
They destroyed your city
They conquered places and caused widespread devastation
They'll destroy you as well
They can leave people empty and devastated in their wake
They're lecherous and treacherous
They are considered to be horny and disloyal
Hell-bent for leather
Determined to achieve their goals at any cost
Each of 'em bigger
Each one of the Romans was massive in their own way
Than all men put together
They were superior to all other men
Sluggers and muggers
Thugs who violently attack and mug people
Wearing fancy gold rings
Decked in precious gold rings
All the women goin' crazy
They too had a certain appeal that drove women crazy
For the early Roman kings
For those who were kings of Rome
I can dress up your wounds
I can patch your wounds and heal them
With a blood-clotted rag
Using a dirty and infected rag in the process
I ain't afraid to make love
I'm not scared to engage in sexual acts
To a bitch or a hag
Regardless of whether the partner is considered undesirable by society
If you see me comin'
As a warning that one of the Roman kings is approaching
And you're standing there
If you find yourself near when they show up
Wave your handkerchief
As a signal of surrender and acceptance
In the air
Holding it aloft
I ain't dead yet
I am still full of energy and life
My bell still rings
I'm still active and alive in my endeavors
I keep my fingers crossed
I hope to attain success in my pursuits
Like them early Roman kings
As the Romans had big aspirations, so too do I
I can strip you of life
I have the capability of taking your life from you
Strip you of breath
Take away your breath of life
Ship you down
Ship you away to some place
To the house of death
To a place of death and dying
One day
In the future sometime
You will ask for me
You'll seek my help someday
There'll be no one else
There won't be any other option available to you
That you'll wanna see
You'll have no choice
Bring down my fiddle
Get my fiddle out for me to play
Tune up my strings
Prepare the strings for playing
I'm gonna break it wide open
I'm ready to engage life and expose it for what it is
Like the early Roman kings
Just like the leaders of Rome
I was up on black mountain
I went up to the mountain tops
The day Detroit fell
When Detroit was defeated
They killed 'em all off
They killed all the combatants in battle, without prejudice
And they sent 'em to hell
Consigning the vanquished to the flames of hell
Ding dong daddy
A person who thinks themselves to be a ladies' man
You're coming up short
You're not worth what you think you are
Gonna put you on trial
Holding someone accountable for their actions
In a Sicilian court
In the court of public opinion
I've had my fun
I enjoyed myself
I've had my flings
I have experienced life in all of its configurations
Gonna shake 'em all down
Going to do my best to live life to its fullest
Like the early Roman kings
Living life like the rulers of Rome did
Lyrics © AUDIAM, INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Juan Camacho
All the early Roman kings
In their sharkskin suits
Bow ties and buttons
High top boots
Drivin' the spikes in
Blazin' the rails
Nailed in their coffins
In top hats and tails
Fly away, little bird
Fly away, flap your wings
Fly by night
Like the early Roman kings
🎵🎶🎵🎶
All the early Roman kings
In the early, early morn'
Coming down the mountain
Distributing the corn
Speeding through the forest
Racing down the track
You try to get away
They drag you back
Tomorrow is Friday
We'll see what it brings
Everybody's talking
'Bout the early Roman kings
They're peddlers and they're meddlers
They buy and they sell
They destroyed your city
They'll destroy you as well
They're lecherous and treacherous
Hell-bent for leather
Each of 'em bigger
Than all men put together
Sluggers and muggers
Wearing fancy gold rings
All the women goin' crazy
For the early Roman kings
I can dress up your wounds
With a blood-clotted rag
I ain't afraid to make love
To a bitch or a hag
If you see me comin'
And you're standing there
Wave your handkerchief
In the air
I ain't dead yet
My bell still rings
I keep my fingers crossed
Like them early Roman kings
I can strip you of life
Strip you of breath
Ship you down
To the house of death
One day
You will ask for me
There'll be no one else
That you'll wanna see
Bring down my fiddle
Tune up my strings
I'm gonna break it wide open
Like the early Roman kings
I was up on black mountain
The day Detroit fell
They killed 'em all off
And they sent 'em to hell
Ding dong daddy
You're coming up short
Gonna put you on trial
In a Sicilian court
I've had my fun
I've had my flings
Gonna shake 'em all down
Like the early Roman kings
Tom Swift
All the early Roman Kings in their sharkskin suits
Bowties and buttons, high top boots
Driving the spikes in, blazing the rails
Nailed in their coffins in top hats and tails
Fly away little bird, fly away, flap your wings
Fly by night like the early Roman Kings
All the early Roman Kings in the early, early morn’
Coming down the mountain, distributing the corn
Speeding through the forest, racing down the track
You try to get away, they drag you back
Tomorrow is Friday, we’ll see what it brings
Everybody’s talking ‘bout the early Roman Kings
They’re peddlers and they’re meddlers, they buy and they sell
They destroyed your city, they’ll destroy you as well
They’re lecherous and treacherous, hell bent for leather
Each of them bigger than all men put together
Sluggers and muggers wearing fancy gold rings
All the women going crazy for the early Roman Kings
I'll dress up your wounds with a blood clotted rag
I ain’t afraid to make love to a bitch or a hag
If you see me coming and you’re standing there
Wave your handkerchief in the air
I ain’t dead yet, my bell still rings
I keep my fingers crossed like the early Roman Kings
I'll strip you of life, strip you of breath
Ship you down to the house of death
One day you will ask for me
There’ll be no one else that you’ll want to see
Bring down my fiddle, tune up my strings
Gonna break it wide open like the early Roman Kings
I was up on black mountain the day Detroit fell
They killed them all off and they sent them to hell
Ding Dong Daddy, you’re coming up short
Gonna put you on trial in a Sicilian court
I’ve had my fun, I’ve had my flings
Gonna shake ‘em all down like the early Roman Kings
Colin Limberger
He has the best lyrics, writes the best songs, has a nuanced voice, and is a humble person.
William Fever
I don't think that "humble" would be necessarily an appropriate term to describe Dylan's persona, but I think you are on the right track. He is enigmatic, divine, badass and charismatic, that's for sure.
Juan Camacho
All the early Roman kings
In their sharkskin suits
Bow ties and buttons
High top boots
Drivin' the spikes in
Blazin' the rails
Nailed in their coffins
In top hats and tails
Fly away, little bird
Fly away, flap your wings
Fly by night
Like the early Roman kings
🎵🎶🎵🎶
All the early Roman kings
In the early, early morn'
Coming down the mountain
Distributing the corn
Speeding through the forest
Racing down the track
You try to get away
They drag you back
Tomorrow is Friday
We'll see what it brings
Everybody's talking
'Bout the early Roman kings
They're peddlers and they're meddlers
They buy and they sell
They destroyed your city
They'll destroy you as well
They're lecherous and treacherous
Hell-bent for leather
Each of 'em bigger
Than all men put together
Sluggers and muggers
Wearing fancy gold rings
All the women goin' crazy
For the early Roman kings
I can dress up your wounds
With a blood-clotted rag
I ain't afraid to make love
To a bitch or a hag
If you see me comin'
And you're standing there
Wave your handkerchief
In the air
I ain't dead yet
My bell still rings
I keep my fingers crossed
Like them early Roman kings
I can strip you of life
Strip you of breath
Ship you down
To the house of death
One day
You will ask for me
There'll be no one else
That you'll wanna see
Bring down my fiddle
Tune up my strings
I'm gonna break it wide open
Like the early Roman kings
I was up on black mountain
The day Detroit fell
They killed 'em all off
And they sent 'em to hell
Ding dong daddy
You're coming up short
Gonna put you on trial
In a Sicilian court
I've had my fun
I've had my flings
Gonna shake 'em all down
Like the early Roman kings
Nancy Robinson
Thanks for posting lyrics Juan ❤️☮️
Tilly Whopsomes
Lyrically, this is superb. 1000s of years of history of the ‘sluggers and muggers’ running the show, all compressed into a 5 minute song.
Dragonstaye
Why does yt keep changing my 👍 to a 👎🏼 on Bob's songs?
Dragonstaye
Please allow me to introduce myself
Im a man of wealth snd taste
....
1000's of years. Nicely stated. Thank you.
james bradshaw
With all the crazy wars, great injustices and sadness in our world, This world is still a far better place with Rocking Bob in town singing and playing his songs
JVS 3
This has got “Howlin Wolf” all over it. Love it
Frank Landsman
Not to mention Muddy Waters, surely?