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
Man of Peace
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The band is playing "Dixie", a man got his hand outstretched
Could be the Fuhrer
Could be the local priest
You know sometimes Satan, you know he comes as a man of peace
He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue
He knows every song of love that ever has been sung
Both hands can be full of grease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, first he's in the background, and then he's in the front
Both eyes are looking like they're on a rabbit hunt
Nobody can see through him
No, not even the Chief of Police
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, he catch you when you're hoping for a glimpse of the sun
Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton
He could be standing next to you
The person that you'd notice least
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull
He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull
I can smell something cooking
I can tell there's going to be a feast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
He's a great humanitarian, he's great philanthropist
He knows just where to touch you honey, and how you like to be kissed
He'll put both his arms around you
You can feel the tender touch of the beast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl
Trees that've stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall
Want to get married? Do it now
Tomorrow all activity will cease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Somewhere Mama's weeping for her blue-eyed boy
She's holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy
And he's following a star
The same one them three men followed from the East
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
The lyrics of 'Man of Peace' by Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead describe the deceptive nature of evil, which can come in many forms, including those that are charming, generous, or even religious. The song is a warning to be vigilant against those who would seek to harm us, even when they appear to be benevolent. The opening verse sets the scene of a man with his hand outstretched, which could be either the Fuhrer or the local priest, suggesting that evil can present itself even in the forms of authority figures. The mention of Dixie, the anthem of the Confederacy, adds an extra layer of meaning, hinting that evil can also be found in bigotry and racism.
The second verse describes the man of peace as someone with a gift of gab and a harmonious tongue, who can sing songs of love and appear to have good intentions, but underneath it all, their hands can be full of grease. This is a metaphor for how the deceptive nature of evil can be masked by surface-level charm and kind words, but is still there, lurking beneath the surface. The final verse includes references to biblical stories, including the star followed by three men from the East and the weeping mother holding her blue-eyed boy's broken toy, suggesting that evil has existed throughout history and will continue to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Look out your window, baby, there's a scene you'd like to catch
There is something happening outside that you might find interesting
The band is playing "Dixie", a man got his hand outstretched
Someone is reaching out for help while a specific type of music is being played
Could be the Fuhrer
The man reaching out could be someone like Hitler
Could be the local priest
The man reaching out could be a religious leader from the area
You know sometimes Satan, you know he comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue
This person is skilled with words, and they can be convincing and pleasant to listen to
He knows every song of love that ever has been sung
This person is well-versed in love and romance, and may use that knowledge to manipulate others
Good intentions can be evil
Even those who seem to have good intentions can be dangerous or have hidden motives
Both hands can be full of grease
This person may have something to hide or be involved in shady business
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
Well, first he's in the background, and then he's in the front
This person can shift positions or intentions easily, starting off in a support role before moving to a more prominent one
Both eyes are looking like they're on a rabbit hunt
This person is focused and intense, as if searching for something
Nobody can see through him
This person is difficult to understand or predict
No, not even the Chief of Police
This person is especially hard to read, even by those in a position of authority
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
Well, he catch you when you're hoping for a glimpse of the sun
This person may take advantage of someone who is vulnerable or in need of something positive
Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton
This person may prey on those going through difficult times or experiencing hardship
He could be standing next to you
This person may be close by and yet difficult to spot or recognize
The person that you'd notice least
This person may seem unremarkable or simple, but still have ulterior motives
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull
This person can be both interesting and boring, depending on the situation
He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull
This person can have a strong impact on your mind or psyche
I can smell something cooking
I sense that something is happening or changing
I can tell there's going to be a feast
I sense that something big or important is coming
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
He's a great humanitarian, he's great philanthropist
This person seems very charitable and giving
He knows just where to touch you honey, and how you like to be kissed
This person is skilled at making others feel good or comfortable, and knows how to win people over
He'll put both his arms around you
This person may try to embrace or envelop you in some way
You can feel the tender touch of the beast
This person may have darker, more animalistic motives beneath their surface charm
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl
Something dangerous or unpredictable is about to happen
Trees that've stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall
Something that has been stable or unchanging for a long time will soon end or collapse
Want to get married? Do it now
Act on your desires or plans immediately, as time is running out
Tomorrow all activity will cease
Something big or disruptive is about to happen, bringing everything to a halt
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
Somewhere Mama's weeping for her blue-eyed boy
A mother is grieving for a son who may have been taken by evil
She's holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy
The mother has mementos of her lost child that symbolize his innocence and vulnerability
And he's following a star
The lost boy is on a journey, perhaps toward something greater or more meaningful
The same one them three men followed from the East
Like the wise men who followed the star to find the baby Jesus, the lost boy may have a special destiny or purpose to fulfill
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Evil can often appear in unexpected forms, even as something peaceful or benevolent
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bryan Keisling
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Look out your window, baby, there’s a scene you’d like to catch
The band is playing “Dixie,” a man got his hand outstretched
Could be the Führer
Could be the local priest
You know sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 2]
He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue
He knows every song of love that ever has been sung
Good intentions can be evil
Both hands can be full of grease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 3]
Well, first he’s in the background, then he’s in the front
Both eyes are looking like they’re on a rabbit hunt
Nobody can see through him
No, not even the Chief of Police
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 4]
Well, he catch you when you’re hoping for a glimpse of the sun
Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton
He could be standing next to you
The person that you’d notice least
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 5]
Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull
He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull
I can smell something cooking
I can tell there’s going to be a feast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 6]
He’s a great humanitarian, he’s a great philanthropist
He knows just where to touch you, honey, and how you like to be kissed
He’ll put both his arms around you
You can feel the tender touch of the beast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 7]
Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl
Trees that’ve stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall
Want to get married? Do it now
Tomorrow all activity will cease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 8]
Somewhere Mama’s weeping for her blue-eyed boy
She’s holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy
And he’s following a star
The same one them three men followed from the East
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Juan Camacho
Look out your window, baby, there's a scene you'd like to catch
The band is playing "Dixie", a man got his hand outstretched
Could be the Fuhrer
Could be the local priest
You know sometimes Satan, you know he comes as a man of peace
He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue
He knows every song of love that ever has been sung
Good intentions can be evil
Both hands can be full of grease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, first he's in the background, and then he's in the front
Both eyes are looking like they're on a rabbit hunt
Nobody can see through him
No, not even the Chief of Police
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Well, he catch you when you're hoping for a glimpse of the sun
Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton
He could be standing next to you
The person that you'd notice least
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull
He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull
I can smell something cooking
I can tell there's going to be a feast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
🎵🎶🎵🎶
He's a great humanitarian, he's great philanthropist
He knows just where to touch you honey, and how you like to be kissed
He'll put both his arms around you
You can feel the tender touch of the beast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl
Trees that've stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall
Want to get married? Do it now
Tomorrow all activity will cease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
🎵🎶🎵🎶
Somewhere Mama's weeping for her blue-eyed boy
She's holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy
And he's following a star
The same one them three men followed from the East
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
AmericanCoverArtist
A lyricist ahead of his time.
Long live Bob Dylan!!!
This song is still red 🔥 hot
yama penny
for ever and ever...
Bob, be clever ....🎶💞💎🎩
Michael Pordan
Dylan at his best, and what a great band!!! I love this album it's perfect to me.
Edited
Is each chorus is deliberately delivered differently but very significant for the message of the song.
Simon sebastian
Great song's..Great vocals..Good musicians.
Patrick Callahan
Mark Knopfler and Mick Taylor play the guitar 🎸 parts
Bryan Keisling
Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
Look out your window, baby, there’s a scene you’d like to catch
The band is playing “Dixie,” a man got his hand outstretched
Could be the Führer
Could be the local priest
You know sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 2]
He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue
He knows every song of love that ever has been sung
Good intentions can be evil
Both hands can be full of grease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 3]
Well, first he’s in the background, then he’s in the front
Both eyes are looking like they’re on a rabbit hunt
Nobody can see through him
No, not even the Chief of Police
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 4]
Well, he catch you when you’re hoping for a glimpse of the sun
Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton
He could be standing next to you
The person that you’d notice least
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 5]
Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull
He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull
I can smell something cooking
I can tell there’s going to be a feast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 6]
He’s a great humanitarian, he’s a great philanthropist
He knows just where to touch you, honey, and how you like to be kissed
He’ll put both his arms around you
You can feel the tender touch of the beast
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 7]
Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl
Trees that’ve stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall
Want to get married? Do it now
Tomorrow all activity will cease
You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
[Verse 8]
Somewhere Mama’s weeping for her blue-eyed boy
She’s holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy
And he’s following a star
The same one them three men followed from the East
I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace
Freeman Griffin
I so prefer having the lyrics to follow along with on all of Bob's songs, so thank you! (: This song has a great beat to it and a great message too - so many "nice" people are not what they seem to be - 100% of all the politicians come to my mind!
Kenneth Lippertshauser
Thank you Brother Bryan 🙂✌️
Thomas Dungl
Thank you so much for the text ...