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
In The Garden
Bob Dylan Lyrics
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When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
Did they know He was the Son of God, did they know that He was Lord?
Did they hear when He told Peter, "Peter, put up your sword"?
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
Nicodemus came at night so he wouldn't be seen by men
Saying, "Master, tell me why a man must be born again."
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
When He said, "Pick up your bed and walk, why must you criticize?
Same thing My Father do, I can do likewise."
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
The multitude wanted to make Him king, put a crown upon His head
Why did He slip away to a quiet place instead?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
He said, "All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Did they know right then and there what that power was worth?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
He said, "All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth."
Did they know right then and there what that power was worth?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
The lyrics to Bob Dylan's song, "In the Garden," are a series of rhetorical questions that make up a meditation on the nature of faith, belief, and understanding. The verses are structured around various key moments in the life and teachings of Jesus, and the repeated question of the chorus is an invitation to consider the responses of those who encountered him: did they know, did they hear, did they see, did they dare, did they believe? The image of the garden is significant in its echoes of the garden of Gethsemane, the site of Jesus' betrayal and arrest, as well as the Garden of Eden, the site of humanity's original sin and loss of innocence. By framing the questions within this evocative setting, Dylan invites the listener to reflect on their own understanding of divine mysteries and the complex interplay between knowledge, faith, and doubt.
The first verse focuses on Jesus' arrest in the garden, posing the question of whether his captors were aware of his true identity as the Son of God. The second verse shifts to an encounter in the city between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee who came to him seeking spiritual guidance. The third verse explores Jesus' miraculous healings, and the reactions of those who witnessed them. The fourth verse addresses the response of the crowd to Jesus' teachings and wonders, and the question of why he chose to withdraw from public adulation. Finally, the fifth and sixth verses consider the moment of Jesus' resurrection, and the faith required to truly understand the significance of this event and the power it reveals.
Overall, "In the Garden" is a contemplative and searching song that grapples with the paradoxes and challenges of faith. Its repeated questioning structure creates a sense of ongoing uncertainty and searching, while Dylan's rich imagery and allusions add depth and complexity to the themes at its heart.
Line by Line Meaning
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
Did those who arrested Jesus in the garden understand that he was the Son of God?
Did they know He was the Son of God, did they know that He was Lord?
Were the people arresting Jesus aware that he was the Son of God and Lord?
Did they hear when He told Peter, 'Peter, put up your sword'?
Did the people arresting Jesus witness him telling Peter to put down his sword?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
Did Jesus' message resonate with those who heard him speak in the city?
Nicodemus came at night so he wouldn't be seen by men Saying, 'Master, tell me why a man must be born again.'
Nicodemus approached Jesus in secrecy to learn about the importance of being born again.
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
Did those who witnessed Jesus perform miracles truly comprehend their significance?
When He said, 'Pick up your bed and walk, why must you criticize? Same thing My Father do, I can do likewise.'
Jesus questioned why people would criticize him for healing the sick when it was the same thing his Father had also done.
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
Did anyone have the courage to openly oppose Jesus and his teachings?
The multitude wanted to make Him king, put a crown upon His head Why did He slip away to a quiet place instead?
When the crowd wanted to make Jesus their king, why did he leave for a secluded spot instead?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
Did people truly believe that Jesus had risen from the dead?
He said, 'All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth.' Did they know right then and there what that power was worth?
When Jesus declared that he had been given all power in heaven and on earth, did people understand the true extent of his power and influence?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind