Lily
Bob Dylan Lyrics


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The festival was over, the boys were all plannin' for a fall
The cabaret was quiet except for the drillin' in the wall
The curfew had been lifted and the gamblin' wheel shut down
Anyone with any sense had already left town
He was standin' in the doorway lookin' like the Jack of Hearts

He moved across the mirrored room, "Set it up for everyone," he said
Then everyone commenced to do what they were doin' before he turned their heads
Then he walked up to a stranger and he asked him with a grin
"Could you kindly tell me, friend, what time the show begins?"
Then he moved into the corner, face down like the Jack of Hearts

Backstage the girls were playin' five-card stud by the stairs
Lily had two queens, she was hopin' for a third to match her pair
Outside the streets were fillin' up, the window was open wide
A gentle breeze was blowin', you could feel it from inside
Lily called another bet and drew up the Jack of Hearts

Big Jim was no one's fool, he owned the town's only diamond mine
He made his usual entrance lookin' so dandy and so fine
With his bodyguards and silver cane and every hair in place
He took whatever he wanted to and he laid it all to waste
But his bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts

Rosemary combed her hair and took a carriage into town
She slipped in through the side door lookin' like a queen without a crown
She fluttered her false eyelashes and whispered in his ear
"Sorry, darlin', that I'm late," but he didn't seem to hear
He was starin' into space over at the Jack of Hearts

"I know I've seen that face before," Big Jim was thinkin' to himself
"Maybe down in Mexico or a picture up on somebody's shelf"
But then the crowd began to stamp their feet and the house lights did dim
And in the darkness of the room there was only Jim and him
Starin' at the butterfly who just drew the Jack of Hearts

Lily was a princess, she was fair-skinned and precious as a child
She did whatever she had to do, she had that certain flash every time she smiled
She'd come away from a broken home, had lots of strange affairs
With men in every walk of life which took her everywhere
But she'd never met anyone quite like the Jack of Hearts

The hangin' judge came in unnoticed and was being wined and dined
The drillin' in the wall kept up but no one seemed to pay it any mind
It was known all around that Lily had Jim's ring
And nothing would ever come between Lily and the king
No, nothin' ever would except maybe the Jack of Hearts

Rosemary started drinkin' hard and seein' her reflection in the knife
She was tired of the attention, tired of playin' the role of Big Jim's wife
She had done a lot of bad things, even once tried suicide
Was lookin' to do just one good deed before she died
She was gazin' to the future, riding on the Jack of Hearts

Lily took her dress off and buried it away
"Has your luck run out?" she laughed at him
"Well, I guess you must have known it would someday
Be careful not to touch the wall, there's a brand-new coat of paint
I'm glad to see you're still alive, you're lookin' like a saint"
Down the hallway footsteps were comin' for the Jack of Hearts

The backstage manager was pacing all around by his chair
"There's something funny going on," he said, "I can just feel it in the air"
He went to get the hangin' judge, but the hangin' judge was drunk
As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk
There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts

No one knew the circumstance but they say that it happened pretty quick
The door to the dressing room burst open and a cold revolver clicked
And Big Jim was standin' there, ya couldn't say surprised
Rosemary right beside him, steady in her eyes
She was with Big Jim but she was leanin' to the Jack of Hearts

Two doors down the boys finally made it through the wall
And cleaned out the bank safe, it's said that they got off with quite a haul
In the darkness by the riverbed they waited on the ground
For one more member who had business back in town
But they couldn't go no further without the Jack of Hearts

The next day was hangin' day, the sky was overcast and black
Big Jim lay covered up, killed by a penknife in the back
And Rosemary on the gallows, she didn't even blink
The hangin' judge was sober, he hadn't had a drink
The only person on the scene missin' was the Jack of Hearts

The cabaret was empty now, a sign said, "Closed for repair"
Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair
She was thinkin' 'bout her father, who she very rarely saw




Thinkin' 'bout Rosemary and thinkin' about the law
But, most of all she was thinkin' 'bout the Jack of Hearts

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Bob Dylan's epic ballad "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts" are shrouded in a mystery that has long fascinated and puzzled listeners. The song tells an intricate story of intrigue and betrayal involving a diverse cast of characters, including a ruthless gangster named Big Jim, his beautiful wife Rosemary, and a mysterious stranger known only as the Jack of Hearts. The song thrums with a sense of dramatic tension throughout, as each twist and turn of the plot unfolds in vivid detail.


At the heart of the song lies a deeply embedded exploration of the complex workings of human desire, and of the dangerous games that people are willing to play in order to get what they want. With its dizzying array of interlocking storylines and sharply drawn characters, "Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts" is a quintessential example of the songwriting genius of Bob Dylan, whose ability to weave intricate narratives into his songs has long captivated audiences.


Line by Line Meaning

The festival was over, the boys were all plannin' for a fall
The event had come to an end, and the men were preparing for a downfall or misfortune.


The cabaret was quiet except for the drillin' in the wall
The cabaret was devoid of noise, except for the persistent sound of drilling coming from the wall.


The curfew had been lifted and the gamblin' wheel shut down
The curfew had ended, and the wheel used for gambling had ceased its operation.


Anyone with any sense had already left town
People who possessed wisdom had already departed the town.


He was standin' in the doorway lookin' like the Jack of Hearts
He stood in the entrance, resembling the enigmatic and charming character known as the Jack of Hearts.


He moved across the mirrored room, 'Set it up for everyone,' he said
He traversed the room adorned with mirrors and instructed the arrangement to accommodate everyone present.


Then everyone commenced to do what they were doin' before he turned their heads
Subsequently, all individuals resumed their previous activities after briefly diverting their attention due to his presence.


Then he walked up to a stranger and he asked him with a grin
He approached an unfamiliar individual and queried with a mischievous smile.


'Could you kindly tell me, friend, what time the show begins?'
'Would you please inform me, my acquaintance, about the time the performance commences?'


Then he moved into the corner, face down like the Jack of Hearts
Afterward, he retreated to a secluded corner, assuming a defeated posture reminiscent of the Jack of Hearts.


Backstage the girls were playin' five-card stud by the stairs
Behind the scenes, the girls were engaging in a game of five-card stud near the staircase.


Lily had two queens, she was hopin' for a third to match her pair
Lily possessed two queen cards and anticipated obtaining a third to complete her set of pairs.


Outside the streets were fillin' up, the window was open wide
Outside, the streets were becoming crowded, and a wide-open window allowed the outside atmosphere to permeate the room.


A gentle breeze was blowin', you could feel it from inside
A subtle breeze wafted through, tangible from within the room.


Lily called another bet and drew up the Jack of Hearts
Lily placed another wager and fortuitously received the Jack of Hearts.


Big Jim was no one's fool, he owned the town's only diamond mine
Big Jim possessed astuteness and owned the sole diamond mine in the town.


He made his usual entrance lookin' so dandy and so fine
He entered the scene as he typically did, exuding elegance and refinement.


With his bodyguards and silver cane and every hair in place
Accompanied by his entourage and wielding a silver cane, he ensured every strand of his hair was immaculate.


He took whatever he wanted to and he laid it all to waste
He arrogantly seized whatever he desired and squandered it without remorse.


But his bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts
However, neither his bodyguards nor his prestigious silver cane could rival the power and influence of the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.


Rosemary combed her hair and took a carriage into town
Rosemary meticulously groomed her hair and traveled to town via a carriage.


She slipped in through the side door lookin' like a queen without a crown
Unnoticed, she discreetly entered through a side entrance, emanating an air of regality despite lacking a crown.


She fluttered her false eyelashes and whispered in his ear
She batted her fake eyelashes and whispered into his ear seductively.


'Sorry, darlin', that I'm late,' but he didn't seem to hear
'Apologies, my dear, for being tardy,' she uttered, although he appeared oblivious to her words.


He was starin' into space over at the Jack of Hearts
Lost in thought, he gazed fixedly in the direction of the Jack of Hearts.


'I know I've seen that face before,' Big Jim was thinkin' to himself
'I am certain I have encountered that visage previously,' Big Jim ruminated internally.


'Maybe down in Mexico or a picture up on somebody's shelf'
'Perhaps it was in Mexico or maybe a portrait displayed on a shelf somewhere,' he speculated.


But then the crowd began to stamp their feet and the house lights did dim
However, at that moment, the crowd initiated rhythmic stomping, and the illumination within the venue gradually faded.


And in the darkness of the room there was only Jim and him
Within the obscurity of the room, only Jim and the enigmatic figure remained.


Starin' at the butterfly who just drew the Jack of Hearts
Both of them fixated their gaze upon the distinct butterfly who had fortuitously acquired the Jack of Hearts.


Lily was a princess, she was fair-skinned and precious as a child
Lily possessed a regal aura, characterized by her fair complexion and delicate, childlike demeanor.


She did whatever she had to do, she had that certain flash every time she smiled
Lily resorted to any necessary action, and her smile always carried an alluring allure.


She'd come away from a broken home, had lots of strange affairs
She had emerged from a shattered family, finding herself entangled in numerous peculiar relationships.


With men in every walk of life which took her everywhere
Engaging with men from diverse backgrounds, she traversed a variety of locations.


But she'd never met anyone quite like the Jack of Hearts
Nevertheless, she had never encountered an individual comparable to the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.


The hangin' judge came in unnoticed and was being wined and dined
The hangman, who entered discreetly, was being treated to food and wine.


The drillin' in the wall kept up but no one seemed to pay it any mind
Despite the continuation of the drilling sound from the wall, it went unnoticed by the attendees.


It was known all around that Lily had Jim's ring
Throughout the area, it was widely recognized that Lily possessed a ring symbolizing her connection to Jim.


And nothing would ever come between Lily and the king
No external force could ever create a rift between Lily and the king, their bond was unbreakable.


No, nothin' ever would except maybe the Jack of Hearts
However, perhaps the only exception to this unyielding loyalty was the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.


Rosemary started drinkin' hard and seein' her reflection in the knife
Rosemary resorted to excessive drinking and found solace in viewing her reflection in a knife.


She was tired of the attention, tired of playin' the role of Big Jim's wife
Exhausted by the constant scrutiny, she grew weary of fulfilling the role as Big Jim's spouse.


She had done a lot of bad things, even once tried suicide
Having engaged in numerous nefarious deeds, she had even attempted suicide at one point.


Was lookin' to do just one good deed before she died
Yearning to fulfill a solitary act of benevolence prior to her demise.


She was gazin' to the future, riding on the Jack of Hearts
She devoted her attention to the future, relying on the enigmatic Jack of Hearts for guidance.


Lily took her dress off and buried it away
Lily removed her dress and concealed it in a hidden location.


'Has your luck run out?' she laughed at him
'Perhaps your good fortune has come to an end?' she chuckled at his expense.


'Well, I guess you must have known it would someday
'Well, I suppose you had foreseen this outcome at some point.


Be careful not to touch the wall, there's a brand-new coat of paint
Exercise caution to avoid contact with the wall, as it has recently been painted with a fresh layer.


I'm glad to see you're still alive, you're lookin' like a saint
I am pleased to witness your survival, for you bear a striking resemblance to a virtuous figure.


Down the hallway footsteps were comin' for the Jack of Hearts
Footsteps could be heard approaching the Jack of Hearts from down the hallway.


The backstage manager was pacing all around by his chair
The individual responsible for managing backstage affairs anxiously paced in the vicinity of his chair.


'There's something funny going on,' he said, 'I can just feel it in the air'
'Something peculiar is occurring,' he declared, 'I can sense it permeating the atmosphere.'


He went to get the hangin' judge, but the hangin' judge was drunk
He proceeded to retrieve the intoxicated hangman, yet the hangman was inebriated.


As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk
Simultaneously, the principal actor hurried past, adorned in the attire of a monk.


There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts
None could rival the performance of the Jack of Hearts, as he was the epitome of a exemplary actor.


No one knew the circumstance but they say that it happened pretty quick
The precise details surrounding the incident remained unknown, yet rumors suggested it occurred swiftly.


The door to the dressing room burst open and a cold revolver clicked
Abruptly, the door to the dressing room swung open, accompanied by the chilling sound of a cocked revolver.


And Big Jim was standin' there, ya couldn't say surprised
Present before them stood Big Jim, and one would be hard-pressed to claim he appeared startled.


Rosemary right beside him, steady in her eyes
Rosemary stood unflinchingly by his side, her gaze resolute.


She was with Big Jim but she was leanin' to the Jack of Hearts
While she remained in the company of Big Jim, her inclinations favored the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.


Two doors down the boys finally made it through the wall
A couple of doors away, the boys eventually succeeded in breaching the barrier.


And cleaned out the bank safe, it's said that they got off with quite a haul
They successfully emptied the bank's safe, reportedly escaping with a substantial amount of stolen goods.


In the darkness by the riverbed they waited on the ground
Within the obscurity near the riverbank, they patiently lay in wait on the ground.


For one more member who had business back in town
Anticipating the arrival of an additional member who had unfinished matters within the town.


But they couldn't go no further without the Jack of Hearts
Nevertheless, they were unable to proceed any farther without the presence and involvement of the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.


The next day was hangin' day, the sky was overcast and black
The imminent day marked the occurrence of a public execution, as the sky remained clouded and consumed by darkness.


Big Jim lay covered up, killed by a penknife in the back
Big Jim lay motionless, covered with a sheet, having met his demise due to a knife inserted into his back.


And Rosemary on the gallows, she didn't even blink
Rosemary, perched upon the gallows, faced her fate without flinching.


The hangin' judge was sober, he hadn't had a drink
The hangman, having abstained from alcohol, was clear-headed in his execution of the sentence.


The only person on the scene missin' was the Jack of Hearts
The sole absentee from the scene was the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.


The cabaret was empty now, a sign said, 'Closed for repair'
The cabaret now stood vacant, indicated by a sign stating that it was temporarily closed for maintenance.


Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair
Lily had previously removed all traces of dye from her hair.


She was thinkin' 'bout her father, who she very rarely saw
Her thoughts revolved around her seldom-seen father.


Thinkin' 'bout Rosemary and thinkin' about the law
Contemplating both Rosemary and the implications of the law.


But, most of all she was thinkin' 'bout the Jack of Hearts
However, above all else, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the enigmatic Jack of Hearts.




Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@magicbus63

My 20 favorite Bob Dylan songs
20. Maggie's Farm
19. Lay Lady Lay
18. It Ain't Me Babe
17. Just Like A Woman
16. I Want You
15. Shelter From The Storm
14. The Times They Are A Changin'
13. Blowin' In The Wind
12. Mr. Tambourine Man
11. Postively 4th Street
10. Tangled Up In Blue
9. Hurricane
8. Desolation Row
7. Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
6. Don't Think Twice It's Alright
5. Rainy Day Women 12&35
4. Subterranean Homesick Blues
3. Tombstone Blues
2. Like A Rolling Stone
1. Lily Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts



All comments from YouTube:

@tonykavanagh9764

This song is an absolute masterpiece. It's a big part of the reason that blood on the tracks is considered one of the best albums ever made. The story, the lyrics and the way he ties it all in. No one else could write this song.

@1mattadams

It’s really dreamy, ethereal. My fav .

@yianpap6093

Arguably the best album ever made and one of the greatest works of art ever:)

@ExtremeBeatlesArchive

And no chorus. Just a plowing steam engine of a song.

@steviesevieria1868

The best, not β€œone of”

@jgfunk

Well, this song and Shelter From the Storm...and Tangled Up in Blue...and Idiot Wind...and Simple Twist of Fate...and Meet Me in the Morning...and Buckets of Rain...

OK... You get the picture.

39 More Replies...

@davejohnston2700

yOU DON'T need a video clip. You just picture it in your mind.

@1fluffypuss

Yes, so true.:-)

@thegreenbird795

old school

@chrisrogan4531

Nailed it there

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