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
Precious Angel
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How was I to know you'd be the one
To show me I was blinded, to show me I was gone
How weak was the foundation I was standing upon ?
Now there's spiritual warfare and flesh and blood breaking down
Ya either got faith or ya got unbelief and there ain't neutral ground
The enemy is subtle, how be it we are so deceived
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
I'm a little too blind to see.
My so called friends have fallen under a spell
They look me squarely in the eye and they say, "Well all is well'"
Can they imagine the darkness that will fall from on high
When men will beg God to kill them and they won't be able to die.
Sister, lemme tell you about a vision that I saw
You were drawing water for your husband, you were suffering under the law
You were telling him about Buddha, you were telling him about Mohammed in the same breath
You never mentioned one time the Man who came and died a criminal's death.
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
I'm a little too blind to see.
Precious angel, you believe me when I say
What God has given to us no man can take away
We are covered in blood girl, you know our forefathers were slaves
Let us hope they've found mercy in their bone-filled graves.
You're the queen of my flesh, girl, you're my woman, you're my delight
You're the lamb of my soul, girl, and you touch up the night
But there's violence in the eyes, girl, so let us not be enticed
On the way out of Egypt, through Etopoia, to the judgement hall of Christ.
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
I'm a little too blind to see.
Bob Dylan's song "Precious Angel" is a powerful reflection on the frailty of human faith, and the importance of staying true to one's core beliefs in the face of external pressures. Dylan begins with a description of a "precious angel" who has opened his eyes to the limitations of his previous understanding of the world. Through this angel, Dylan recognizes the weaknesses of his own foundation and the need for spiritual guidance in navigating the challenges of life.
But despite the presence of this "precious angel," Dylan recognizes the ongoing struggle between faith and unbelief in the world. He acknowledges the "spiritual warfare" and the deceptive nature of the enemy, who can lead even those with the truth in their hearts astray. Dylan's call for the angel to "shine your light" on him is a plea for continued guidance and illumination in navigating these dangers.
The second half of the song takes on a more prophetic tone, as Dylan warns of the coming darkness and the need to stay strong in one's faith. He laments the blindness of his "friends" who cannot see the coming societal collapse, and the importance of staying true to one's faith even in the most trying circumstances. The final stanza highlights the importance of recognizing the historical legacy of oppression and fighting for justice, while maintaining a focus on the spiritual journey towards the "judgement hall of Christ."
Overall, "Precious Angel" is a powerful mediation on the importance of faith and the ongoing struggle between light and darkness in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Precious angel, under the sun
Addressing a woman he refers to as a precious angel, Bob Dylan is setting the stage for a conversation that takes place under the sun.
How was I to know you'd be the one
Bob Dylan expresses his surprise that this woman would be the one to help him see through his blindness.
To show me I was blinded, to show me I was gone
The woman helped Bob Dylan to see that he had been blind and lost before she appeared in his life.
How weak was the foundation I was standing upon ?
Bob Dylan questions the foundation of his life before he met this woman, acknowledging that it was weak and unstable.
Now there's spiritual warfare and flesh and blood breaking down
Bob Dylan observes that there is a battle between the spiritual and physical worlds, and that people are struggling with breakdowns of both kinds.
Ya either got faith or ya got unbelief and there ain't neutral ground
Bob Dylan declares that people either have faith or they don't, and that there is no middle ground.
The enemy is subtle, how be it we are so deceived
Bob Dylan notes that the spiritual enemy is subtle, and that people are deceived by this enemy.
When the truth's in our hearts and we still don't believe ?
Bob Dylan wonders how people can have the truth in their hearts but still not believe.
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Bob Dylan asks the woman to shine her light on him; he is seeking her guidance and wisdom.
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
Bob Dylan acknowledges that he needs help; he can't get through life on his own.
I'm a little too blind to see.
Bob Dylan admits that he is blinded by something and cannot see clearly.
My so called friends have fallen under a spell
Bob Dylan laments that his friends are under some sort of spell or deception.
They look me squarely in the eye and they say, "Well all is well'"
Despite the fact that his friends are under a spell, they continue to act as if everything is fine and nothing is wrong.
Can they imagine the darkness that will fall from on high
Bob Dylan questions whether his friends can possibly understand the true darkness that is coming.
When men will beg God to kill them and they won't be able to die.
Bob Dylan describes a dark future where men will beg for death, but it will not come to them.
Sister, lemme tell you about a vision that I saw
Bob Dylan addresses the woman as sister and tells her about a vision he had.
You were drawing water for your husband, you were suffering under the law
The woman in Bob Dylan's vision was drawing water for her husband, but was suffering under the weight of the law.
You were telling him about Buddha, you were telling him about Mohammed in the same breath
The woman in Bob Dylan's vision was discussing different religious figures in the same breath, suggesting that they were all equally important.
You never mentioned one time the Man who came and died a criminal's death.
Bob Dylan points out that in the woman's discussion about religion, she failed to mention Jesus, who came and died a criminal's death.
Precious angel, you believe me when I say
Bob Dylan has established a rapport with this woman, and now addresses her again as a precious angel.
What God has given to us no man can take away
Bob Dylan reminds the woman of the power of God's gifts, which are beyond human control.
We are covered in blood girl, you know our forefathers were slaves
Bob Dylan reminds the woman of the history of slavery and how their ancestors were covered in blood.
Let us hope they've found mercy in their bone-filled graves.
Bob Dylan expresses the wish that their ancestors have found mercy in death.
You're the queen of my flesh, girl, you're my woman, you're my delight
Bob Dylan declares his love for this woman, calling her the queen of his flesh and his delight.
You're the lamb of my soul, girl, and you touch up the night
Bob Dylan speaks figuratively of the woman as the lamb of his soul, and the one who touches up the night.
But there's violence in the eyes, girl, so let us not be enticed
Even as he declares his love, Bob Dylan acknowledges that there is violence in the world and that they should not be lured into it.
On the way out of Egypt, through Etopoia, to the judgement hall of Christ.
Bob Dylan references the biblical story of the exodus from Egypt, and sees their journey leading to the judgement hall of Christ.
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Bob Dylan repeats his request for the woman to shine her light on him, to help guide him through life.
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
Bob Dylan reiterates that he needs help and cannot go it alone.
I'm a little too blind to see.
Bob Dylan reminds the woman that he is still blinded by something and needs her help.
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rifathossain658
Precious angel, under the sun
How was I to know you'd be the one
To show me I was blinded, to show me I was gone
How weak was the foundation I was standing upon ?
Now there's spiritual warfare and flesh and blood breaking down
Ya either got faith or ya got unbelief and there ain't neutral ground
The enemy is subtle, how be it we are so deceived
When the truth's in our hearts and we still don't believe ?
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
I'm a little too blind to see.
My so called friends have fallen under a spell
They look me squarely in the eye and they say, "Well all is well'"
Can they imagine the darkness that will fall from on high
When men will beg God to kill them and they won't be able to die.
Sister, lemme tell you about a vision that I saw
You were drawing water for your husband, you were suffering under the law
You were telling him about Buddha, you were telling him about Mohammed in the same breath
You never mentioned one time the Man who came and died a criminal's death.
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
I'm a little too blind to see.
Precious angel, you believe me when I say
What God has given to us no man can take away
We are covered in blood girl, you know our forefathers were slaves
Let us hope they've found mercy in their bone-filled graves.
You're the queen of my flesh, girl, you're my woman, you're my delight
You're the lamb of my soul, girl, and you touch up the night
But there's violence in the eyes, girl, so let us not be enticed
On the way out of Egypt, through Etopoia, to the judgement hall of Christ.
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Shine you light, shine your light on me
Ya know I just couldn't make it by myself
I'm a little too blind to see.
@oscarmarrero6596
I am a Bob Dylan fan since I was 10 years (40 years ago) and this one of my 5 favorites of all times. Mark Knopfler to the guitar... Perfectly describes Dylan's style
@constantwireless3290
Mine too. It's hard to make a top 5 best songs of Dylan. But this one is in it.
@HCastelli
Precious Angel is one of the greatest songs ever written. Mark Knopler’s guitar 🎸 is marvelous.
@teerachaicheeva-akrapan2412
๑ๅๆ
@teerachaicheeva-akrapan2412
!
@raindeerprojekt4119
YOU even got a red Strat!! lol Well played
@shannonpruitt8008
Knopler is in a class by himself.
@teerachaicheeva-akrapan2412
ๆ
@todhursen8102
This was Dylan's heart cry and break from conforming to corp rock . He helped many to claim their freedom by bring their faith to light. God bless him.
@bansheeofinisheerin
Let us hope they found mercy in their bone-filled graves