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
Pretty Peggy-O
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I never yet found Fenneario.
Well, as we marched down, as we marched down
Well, as we marched down to Fennerio'
Well, our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
Her name that she had was Pretty Peggy-O
What will your mother say, Pretty Peggy-O
What will your mother say to know you're going away
You're never, never, never coming back-io ?
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs, Pretty Peggy-O
Come a-running down your stairs
Combing back your yellow hair
You're the prettiest darned girl I ever seen-io.
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone, Pretty Peggy-O
The lieutenant he has gone, long gone
He's a-riding down in Texas with the rodeo.
Well, our captain he is dead, our captain he is dead
Our captain he is dead, Pretty Peggy-O
Well, our captain he is dead, died for a maid
He's buried somewhere in Louisiana-O.
Bob Dylan’s song Pretty Peggy-O is a traditional Scottish ballad that Dylan reworked in the 1960s, adding his own personality, lyrics and a vocal performance that made it classic. Bob Dylan explained that, like many traditional folk songs, it has different versions, some more complete than others, and the story can be interpreted in different ways.
The song tells the story of a military unit, marching down to Fennerio, where the captain falls in love with a woman called Pretty Peggy-O. Her beauty and innocence make the captain forget about his troops, his duty and his homeland. The people around her warn her about leaving with the soldier, but she seems smitten and convinced of her love. Meanwhile, the song depicts the lieutenant fleeing to another side of the country, while the captain dies in battle, fighting for his beloved.
The song can be interpreted in various ways. Some see it as a portrayal of the senselessness of war and the willingness of the soldiers to desert their duty for personal concerns, while others believe it speaks to the theme of love and loyalty. Whatever your interpretation may be, it is clear that the rolling melody, the bouncy rhythm and the catchy chorus make it easy to sing along and memorable.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been around this whole country
I've travelled far and wide, but I haven't found what I've been looking for.
But I never yet found Fenneario.
Despite my travels, I have not come across Fenneario.
Well, as we marched down, as we marched down
As we marched along on our journey
Well, as we marched down to Fennerio'
As we marched towards Fennerio
Well, our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
Our captain fell in love with a woman who was gentle and kind
Her name that she had was Pretty Peggy-O
This woman was named Pretty Peggy-O
What will your mother say, what will your mother say
What will your mother think or feel about your actions?
What will your mother say, Pretty Peggy-O
How will your mother react to your decision to leave?
What will your mother say to know you're going away
How will your mother feel when she learns that you're leaving?
You're never, never, never coming back-io ?
Will you ever return home?
Come a-running down your stairs
Can I come to your home and see you?
Come a-running down your stairs
Please come down and see me
Come a-running down your stairs, Pretty Peggy-O
Please come down to see me, Pretty Peggy-O
Come a-running down your stairs
Please come down and see me
Combing back your yellow hair
Playing with and admiring your beautiful blonde hair
You're the prettiest darned girl I ever seen-io.
You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant who was with us has left
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant who was with us has left
The lieutenant he has gone, Pretty Peggy-O
The lieutenant who was with us has left, Pretty Peggy-O
The lieutenant he has gone, long gone
The lieutenant has departed and is far away now
He's a-riding down in Texas with the rodeo.
He has joined the rodeo in Texas
Well, our captain he is dead, our captain he is dead
Our captain has died
Our captain he is dead, Pretty Peggy-O
Our captain has died, Pretty Peggy-O
Well, our captain he is dead, died for a maid
Our captain died because of his love for a particular woman
He's buried somewhere in Louisiana-O.
He was buried in Louisiana
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fortuna.
I've been around this whole country
But I never yet found Fennario
Well, as we marched down, as we marched down
Well, as we marched down to Fennerio'
Well, our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
The name that she had was pretty Peggy-O
Well, what will your mother say, what will your mother say?
What will your mother say, pretty Peggy-O?
What will your mother say to know you're going away?
You're never, never, never coming back-io?
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs, pretty Peggy-O
Come a-running down your stairs
Combing back your yellow hair
You're the prettiest darned girl I ever seen-io
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone, pretty Peggy-O
The lieutenant he has gone, long gone
He's a-riding down in Texas with the rodeo
Well, our captain he is dead, our captain he is dead
Our captain he is dead, pretty Peggy-O
Well, our captain he is dead, died for a maid
He's buried somewhere in Louisiana-O
@juancamacho5746
I've been around this whole country
But I never yet found Fennario
Well, as we marched down, as we marched down
Well, as we marched down to Fennerio'
Well, our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
The name that she had was pretty Peggy-O
Well, what will your mother say, what will your mother say?
What will your mother say, pretty Peggy-O?
What will your mother say to know you're going away?
You're never, never, never coming back-io?
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs, pretty Peggy-O
Come a-running down your stairs
Combing back your yellow hair
You're the prettiest darned girl I ever seen-io
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone, pretty Peggy-O
The lieutenant he has gone, long gone
He's a-riding down in Texas with the rodeo
Well, our captain he is dead, our captain he is dead
Our captain he is dead, pretty Peggy-O
Well, our captain he is dead, died for a maid
He's buried somewhere in Louisiana-O
@GarySmith-hy3jk
Beautiful song 🎵❤ love it takes me back way back 😆
@douchbagelmcmuffinheimer256
His first album was great
@JorgeLMarquezsM
La voz!!
@phildavison9100
As a Scot, I believe Bobby had heard this song from Roy Williamson of the (Scottish) Corries before he arrived in London in December 1962 to sing in a BBC radio play. I believe Bob first recorded it (on Martin Carthy's personal tape recorder) in Dobell's record store -- the most famous in London -- in January 1963, but sticking with the traditional Scottish version and calling himself Blind Boy Grunt because he knew perfectly well that he was about to become the most famous musician in the world under his adopted name Bob Dylan. Back in the States, however, he did what he does. He americanized it, as he has done with so many Scots/English/Irish songs, to beautiful effect. Restless Farewell being a great example.
@emmalouie1663
I like Donna Ray Norton's version of this song as far as an Americanized sound to it. It doesn't need a harmonica.
@fortuna.
I've been around this whole country
But I never yet found Fennario
Well, as we marched down, as we marched down
Well, as we marched down to Fennerio'
Well, our captain fell in love with a lady like a dove
The name that she had was pretty Peggy-O
Well, what will your mother say, what will your mother say?
What will your mother say, pretty Peggy-O?
What will your mother say to know you're going away?
You're never, never, never coming back-io?
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs
Come a-running down your stairs, pretty Peggy-O
Come a-running down your stairs
Combing back your yellow hair
You're the prettiest darned girl I ever seen-io
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone
The lieutenant he has gone, pretty Peggy-O
The lieutenant he has gone, long gone
He's a-riding down in Texas with the rodeo
Well, our captain he is dead, our captain he is dead
Our captain he is dead, pretty Peggy-O
Well, our captain he is dead, died for a maid
He's buried somewhere in Louisiana-O
@edited7382
I've listened to this song for over 50 years and just realized that his opening line about "never yet finding Phenario", was him just joking about how hes been everywhere in the US, but he curiously wasn't able to find this town where the song takes place. It was probably an old European folk song.
@vincetownsend2514
It was an old Scottish song so Fenario is possibly a corruption of a place in Scotland...
@kareennewtonvlog.6361
The Scottish, some say Irish, song is “The Bonnie Lass O’ Fyvie”.
@overthewebb
@Kareen Newton Vlog. It's 100% Scottish, not Irish