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
John Brown
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
His mama sure was proud of him
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all
His mama's face broke out all in a grin
"Oh son, you look so fine, I'm glad you're a son of mine
You make me proud to know you hold a gun
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get
As that old train pulled out, John's ma began to shout
Tellin' ev'ryone in the neighborhood
"That's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know"
She made well sure her neighbors understood
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
As she showed them to the people from next door
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war
Oh, good old-fashioned war!
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come
They ceased to come for about ten months or more
Then a letter finally came saying, "Go down and meet the train
Your son's a-coming home from the war"
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
But she could not see her soldier son in sight
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes
Oh his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
And he wore a metal brace around his waist
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know
While she couldn't even recognize his face!
Oh, lord, not even recognize his face!
"Oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done
How is it you come to be this way?"
He tried his best to talk but his mouth could hardly move
And the mother had to turn her face away
"Don't you remember, ma, when I went off to war
You thought it was the best thing I could do?
I was on the battleground, you were home acting proud
You wasn't there standing in my shoes"
"Oh, and I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
And I saw that his face looked just like mine"
Oh, lord, just like mine!
"And I couldn't help but think, through the thunder rolling and stink
That I was just a puppet in a play
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke
And a cannonball blew my eyes away"
As he turned away to walk, his ma was still in shock
At seein' the metal brace that helped him stand
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
And he dropped his medals down into her hand
Bob Dylan's song "John Brown" explores the effects of war on both soldiers and their families. The song tells the story of a mother and her soldier son, John, who leaves for war and returns home wounded. The song begins with the mother expressing her pride in her son as he goes off to fight on a foreign shore. She speaks of the medals he will receive and how she will display them when he returns. However, as time goes on, letters from John become scarce, and his mother's pride quickly turns to concern.
When John finally returns home, his mother is shocked to see that he has lost his hand and his face has been "shot up." As John struggles to speak, he reveals the horrors of war to his mother - the realization that he's just a "puppet in a play," the fear of killing someone who looks like him, and the trauma caused by the cannonball that leaves him blinded. The song ends with John dropping his medals into his mother's hand and walking away.
Through his lyrics, Dylan illustrates the devastating effects of war on individuals and society. The song highlights how a mother's pride in her son's service can quickly turn to shock and horror as she sees the physical and emotional damage wrought by war. Dylan also touches on the psychological toll that war takes on soldiers, offering a sobering reminder that the ravages of war go far beyond physical injury.
Line by Line Meaning
John Brown went off to war to fight on a foreign shore
John Brown left to join the military and fight in a foreign country.
His mama sure was proud of him
John Brown's mother was very proud of him for joining the military.
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all
John Brown was proud to wear his military uniform and stood confidently.
His mama's face broke out all in a grin
John Brown's mother was overjoyed when she saw him in his military uniform.
"Oh son, you look so fine, I'm glad you're a son of mine
John Brown's mother complimented him on how he looked in his uniform and was happy to have him as her son.
You make me proud to know you hold a gun
His mother was proud that John Brown was fighting in the military.
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get
John Brown's mother encouraged him to follow orders so he could earn medals
And we'll put them on the wall when you come home"
She planned to display the medals John Brown earned on the family wall.
As that old train pulled out, John's ma began to shout
As John Brown left, his mother shouted to the whole neighborhood.
Tellin' ev'ryone in the neighborhood
She wanted everyone to know that her son was leaving to join the military.
"That's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know"
She was proud to announce that her son had become a soldier.
She made well sure her neighbors understood
She wanted to make it clear to her neighbors that John Brown was going to war.
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
John Brown's mother was happy every time she received a letter from him.
As she showed them to the people from next door
She enjoyed sharing John Brown's letters with her neighbors.
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun
She boasted about her son's military uniform and weapon.
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war
She referred to the war as an old-fashioned conflict.
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come
After a while, John Brown stopped writing to his mother.
They ceased to come for about ten months or more
There was a long period of no communication from John Brown.
Then a letter finally came saying, "Go down and meet the train
John Brown's mother finally received a letter saying that he was coming home.
Your son's a-coming home from the war"
The letter informed her that her son would be coming home from the war.
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
John Brown's mother immediately went to the station to greet him.
But she could not see her soldier son in sight
She couldn't find John Brown among the returning soldiers.
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last
After everyone else had passed, John Brown's mother finally spotted him.
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes
John Brown's appearance shocked his mother.
Oh his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
John Brown's appearance was disfigured from being wounded in battle.
And he wore a metal brace around his waist
He had a metal brace that helped him stand.
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know
John Brown's voice was so different that his mother initially didn't recognize it.
While she couldn't even recognize his face!
His injuries made him appear unrecognizable to his mother.
"Oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done
His mother asked him what had happened to him.
How is it you come to be this way?"
She wanted to know how he had been wounded.
He tried his best to talk but his mouth could hardly move
John Brown's voice had been damaged to the point where he had trouble speaking.
And the mother had to turn her face away
His mother couldn't bear to watch him struggle to speak.
"Don't you remember, ma, when I went off to war
John Brown reminded his mother of when he initially left to join the military.
You thought it was the best thing I could do?
His mother had supported his decision to join the military.
I was on the battleground, you were home acting proud
While John Brown was fighting in the war, his mother was at home.
You wasn't there standing in my shoes"
John Brown wished his mother could have experienced what he went through in battle.
"Oh, and I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?
John Brown questioned the purpose of the war while he was fighting.
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'
He realized that he was either going to kill someone or be killed.
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
The most terrifying thing for John Brown was seeing his opponents up close.
And I saw that his face looked just like mine"
John Brown was shocked to find that his opponent resembled him.
Oh, lord, just like mine!
This realization was deeply disturbing for John Brown.
"And I couldn't help but think, through the thunder rolling and stink
Amidst the chaos and the horrific smell of war, John Brown saw his own reflection in his opponent.
That I was just a puppet in a play
John Brown felt like he was just a pawn in someone else's game.
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke
John Brown's connection to the military was finally over.
And a cannonball blew my eyes away"
John Brown was wounded so badly that he lost his eyesight.
As he turned away to walk, his ma was still in shock
John Brown's mother was still trying to take in the situation.
At seein' the metal brace that helped him stand
She noticed the metal brace that John Brown was using to walk.
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
Before leaving, John Brown called his mother over.
And he dropped his medals down into her hand
He gave his medals to his mother as a symbol of his service to his country.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yyaa2539
John Brown went off to war to fight on a foreign shore.
His mama sure was proud of him!
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all.
His mama's face broke out all in a grin.
"Oh son, you look so fine, I'm glad you're a son of mine,
You make me proud to know you hold a gun.
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get,
And we'll put them on the wall when you come home."
As that old train pulled out, John's ma began to shout,
Tellin' ev'ryone in the neighborhood:
"That's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know."
She made well sure her neighbors understood.
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
As she showed them to the people from next door.
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun,
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war.
Oh! Good old-fashioned war!
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come.
They ceased to come for about ten months or more.
Then a letter finally came saying, "Go down and meet the train.
Your son's a-coming home from the war."
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
But she could not see her soldier son in sight.
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last,
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes.
Oh his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
And he wore a metal brace around his waist.
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know,
While she couldn't even recognize his face!
Oh! Lord! Not even recognize his face.
"Oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done.
How is it you come to be this way?"
He tried his best to talk but his mouth could hardly move
And the mother had to turn her face away.
"Don't you remember, Ma, when I went off to war
You thought it was the best thing I could do?
I was on the battleground, you were home . . . acting proud.
You wasn't there standing in my shoes."
"Oh, and I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'.
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
And I saw that his face looked just like mine."
Oh! Lord! Just like mine!
"And I couldn't help but think, through the thunder rolling and stink,
That I was just a puppet in a play.
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke,
And a cannon ball blew my eyes away."
As he turned away to walk, his Ma was still in shock
At seein' the metal brace that helped him stand.
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
And he dropped his medals down into her hand.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Bob Dylan
John Brown lyrics © Special Rider Music, Universal Tunes
@BOBDYLANESPANOL
ResumenLetras
Cuando John Brown se fue a la guerra para pelear en una costa extranjera
When John Brown went off to war to fight on a foreign shore
Su mamá seguro estaba orgullosa de él
His mama sure was proud of him
Se mantuvo erguido y alto en su uniforme y todo
He stood straight and tall in his uniform and all
La cara de su mamá estalló en una sonrisa
His mama's face broke out all in a grin
"Oh hijo, te ves tan bien, me alegro de que seas un hijo mío
"Oh son, you look so fine, I'm glad you're a son of mine
Me haces sentir orgulloso de saber que tienes un arma
You make me proud to know you hold a gun
Haz lo que dice el capitán, muchas medallas obtendrás
Do what the captain says, lots of medals you will get
Y los pondremos en la pared cuando vuelvas a casa"
And we'll put them on the wall when you come home"
Y ese viejo tren salió, la mamá de John comenzó a gritar
And that old train pulled out, John's ma began to shout
Diciendo a todos en el vecindario
Tellin' everyone in the neighborhood
"Ese es mi hijo que está a punto de irse, ahora es un soldado, ya sabes"
"That's my son that's about to go, he's a soldier now, you know"
Se aseguró bien de que sus vecinos entendieran
She made well sure her neighbors understood
Ella recibió una carta de vez en cuando y su rostro se iluminó con una sonrisa.
She got a letter once in a while and her face broke into a smile
Como ella les mostró a la gente de al lado
As she showed them to the people from next door
Y presumió de su hijo con su uniforme y pistola
And she bragged about her son with his uniform and gun
Y estas cosas que llamaste una buena guerra pasada de moda
And these things you called a good old-fashioned war
Oh, buena guerra a la antigua
Oh, good old-fashioned war
Entonces las cartas dejaron de llegar, durante mucho tiempo no llegaron.
Then the letters ceased to come, for a long time they did not come
Dejaron de venir durante unos diez meses o más.
They ceased to come for about ten months or more
Entonces finalmente llegó una carta que decía: "Baja y encuéntrate con el tren".
Then a letter finally came saying, "Go down and meet the train
Tu hijo vuelve a casa de la guerra"
Your son's a-coming home from the war"
Ella sonrió y bajó, miró por todas partes a su alrededor
She smiled and went right down, she looked everywhere around
Pero ella no vio a su hijo soldado a la vista.
But she did not see her soldier son in sight
Pero al pasar toda la gente, vio por fin a su hijo
But as all the people passed, she saw her son at last
Cuando lo hizo, apenas podía creer lo que veía.
When she did she could hardly believe her eyes
Oh, le dispararon en la cara y le volaron la mano
Oh, his face was all shot up and his hand was all blown off
Y llevaba un aparato ortopédico de metal alrededor de su cintura
And he wore a metal brace around his waist
Susurró un poco lento, con una voz que ella no conocía.
He whispered kind of slow, in a voice she did not know
Mientras que ella ni siquiera podía reconocer su rostro
While she couldn't even recognize his face
Oh Señor, reconoce su rostro
Oh Lord, recognize his face
"Oh, dime, mi querido hijo, por favor, dime lo que hicieron
"Oh tell me, my darling son, pray tell me what they done
¿Cómo es que llegaste a ser así?"
How is it that you come to be this way?"
Hizo todo lo posible para hablar ya que su boca apenas podía moverse.
He tried his best to talk as his mouth could hardly move
Y la madre tuvo que apartar la cara
And the mother had to turn her face away
"¿No te acuerdas, mamá, cuando me fui a la guerra
"Don't you remember, Ma, when I went off to war
¿Pensaste que era lo mejor que podía hacer?
You thought it was the best thing I could do?
Yo estaba en el campo de batalla, tú estabas en casa actuando orgulloso
I was on the battleground, you were home acting proud
No estabas ahí parado en mis zapatos"
You wasn't there standing in my shoes"
“Señor, pensé cuando estaba allí, Dios, ¿qué estoy haciendo aquí?
"Lord, I thought when I was there, God, what am I doing here?
Estoy tratando de matar a alguien o morir en el intento
I'm a-tryin' to kill somebody or die tryin'
Pero lo que más me asustó fue cuando mi enemigo se acercó
But the thing that scared me most was when my enemy came close
Y vi que su cara se parecía a la mía"
And I saw that his face looked just like mine"
Oh Señor, como el mío
Oh Lord, just like mine
"Y no pude evitar pensar, a través del sonido del trueno y el hedor
"And I couldn't help but think, through the thunder sound and stink
Que yo solo era un títere en una obra de teatro
That I was just a puppet in a play
Y a través del rugido y el humo, esta cuerda finalmente se rompió
And through the roar and smoke, this string is finally broke
Y una bala de cañón me voló los ojos"
And a cannonball blew my eyes away"
Cuando se dio la vuelta para caminar, su mamá todavía estaba en estado de shock.
As he turned away to walk, his Ma was still in shock
Al ver la abrazadera de metal que lo ayudó a ponerse de pie
Seein' the metal brace that helped him stand
Pero cuando se dio la vuelta para irse, llamó a su madre cerca
But as he turned to go, he called his mother close
Y dejó caer sus medallas en su mano
And he dropped his medals down into her hand
@mitchconnerandsometimesjlotoo
Lyrics:
John Brown once said to me How happy you can be If you live a life that Is free Just like me won't you see John Brown oh John Brown
Teach me what I need, oh how I learn and how I read but you know the way John Brown.
What happened to cause the change of this world of hate
I kicked and broke my gate that I hate
I broke my toe don't you know and slapped your sister she's a hoe. I hate my brother he's not my bro and he's shoveling snow
Makes me think of John Brown oh John Brown. Down town with John Brown. No messing round with John Brown. Ooh John Brown ooh John Brown yeah John Brown John Brown.
@mitchconnerandsometimesjlotoo
Lyrics:
John Brown once said to me
How happy you can be
If you live a life that Is free
Just like me won't you see
John Brown oh John Brown teach me what I need I tried to listen and read but you got the seed
Happiness is withing
Won't take sadness or doubt
You can scream and you can shout but it won't have any clout
I'll just sing bout ol John Brown
John Brown oh John Brown
Teach me what I need to deliver me from greed of this strange ol world that I don't need.
@nemonautilus9807
A voice of an old Man into the body of a young guy.
First steps of a legendary Life!
The supreme expression of performing Art!.
Sublime!.
@gmsingh100
Channeling Woody Guthrie.
@Bobdylan11225
I'm so happy and really appreciate your love for me and my music, thanks a lot. I hope you are doing great??
@1DaTJo
What a genius. In every way.
@franksmith7226
Strong personality, brave, intelligent, poet, writer, songwriter, singer, guitarre and piano player. He will be considered one of the most influential personality of the last 60 years...
@1DaTJo
@Frank Smith maybe of the last thousand years
@ohiko9594
God, my heart is breaking when I'm listening to this song. I'm from Ukraine and now as my country has to fight in that disgusting useless war this performance being published struck me as a lightning. This song was first performed when Dylan was of my current age, 60 years ago, and yet people, and, more importantly, politicians manipulating the minds of people, still haven't learned this simple lesson: war is always pain, suffering and death, on whichever side you fight. People, please, live in peace and don't hurt each other just because some arrogant talking head from TV tells you to.
@AlicedeTocqueville
Bless you and the people of Ukraine, and may we all resolve to stand together and live in peace.
@machgeorge9070
Keeping the faith of humanity weeping dry eyes with no tears never again
@alanlafromboise2927
Very well spoken ohiko and I hope by some miracle this world will heal cause right now it doesn't look good for many!