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
Property of Jesus
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Because he has denied himself the things that you can't live without
Laugh at him behind his back jut like the others do
Remember him of what he used to be when he comes walking through.
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, wouldn't that be sweet
Because he can't be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can't be bribed or bought by the things that you adore.
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
When the whip that's keeping you in line doesn't make him jump
Say he's hard-of-hearing, say that he's a chump
Say he's out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn't pay tribute to the king that you serve.
He's property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
Say that he's a loser 'cause he got no common sense
Because he don't increase his worth at someone else's expense
Because he's not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
'Cause he doesn't tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile.
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you'll go back from where you came
But you're picked up quite a story and you've changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you've been captured but by whom?
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
In “Property of Jesus,” Bob Dylan describes a man who has found Christ and given up his previous way of life. The chorus, “He’s the property of Jesus, resent him to the bone, you got something better, you got a heart of stone,” speaks directly to those who mock and deride this man for his newfound beliefs. They resent him because he no longer subscribes to their way of life, and because he is no longer “exploited by superstition” or able to be bought by material possessions. The man is mocked for his lack of common sense and style, and is seen as a loser because he does not increase his worth at someone else’s expense. Dylan’s use of irony is clear, as the people who mock this man for his beliefs are the ones who are truly in bondage, trapped by materialism and unable to find true fulfillment outside of possessions and money.
Throughout the song, Dylan uses imagery and metaphors to convey his message. The line “when the whip that’s keeping you in line doesn’t make him jump” speaks to the man’s refusal to bow to societal norms and expectations, while “say that he’s a chump, say he’s out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve” describes the way in which he is continually challenged and put down by those around him. Despite this, he remains steadfast in his beliefs, not telling jokes or fairy tales to please the masses. He is in many ways a Christ figure, sacrificed for the sins of those who mock and ridicule him.
Overall, “Property of Jesus” is a powerful condemnation of materialism and a call to embrace a life of faith and purpose. The man who is the song’s subject is held up as an example of what true freedom and fulfillment can look like, even in the face of great opposition.
Line by Line Meaning
Do ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Talk about him all you want because he challenges your beliefs and makes you question your own values and morals.
Because he has denied himself the things that you can't live without
His refusal to indulge in materialistic things that society deems essential makes you feel uncomfortable and defensive of your own lifestyle.
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
You join in with everyone else who mocks him, though you're too cowardly to do it to his face.
Remember him of what he used to be when he comes walking through.
You judge him for his present choices, but can't help reminiscing his past and comparing it to his current state whenever you encounter him.
He's the property of Jesus
He belongs to Jesus, who he follows and obeys above all else.
Resent him to the bone
You harbor intense bitterness and hostility towards him for his way of life and beliefs.
You got something better
You believe that your lifestyle is superior to his and that you possess more valuable things in life than he does.
You got a heart of stone.
Your lack of empathy and compassion towards him and those like him is indicative of your cold-hearted nature.
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
You purposefully halt your chatter when he walks by as a subtle sign of disrespect and exclusion.
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, wouldn't that be sweet
You secretly wish for his downfall or a negative event to occur in his life just to validate your belief that his choices are wrong.
Because he can't be exploited by superstition anymore
The fact that he doesn't believe in things like luck or fate cannot be leveraged or manipulated, and that makes you uneasy and frustrated.
Because he can't be bribed or bought by the things that you adore.
He cannot be swayed or influenced by material wealth and possessions, and that threatens your belief that money and status equals happiness and success.
When the whip that's keeping you in line doesn't make him jump
The punishments and societal pressure that keep you conforming to the norm, have no impact on him or his morals.
Say he's hard-of-hearing, say that he's a chump
You resort to childish name-calling and false accusations to discredit him, because you cannot find any logical or valid arguments.
Say he's out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
You attempt to incite him or make him question his own beliefs by telling him he's disconnected from the real world and its happenings.
Because he doesn't pay tribute to the king that you serve.
He doesn't bow down to the same authority figures or societal leaders that you do, which you see as a direct challenge to your own beliefs and values.
Say that he's a loser 'cause he got no common sense
You try to belittle him by implying that he lacks basic reasoning or intelligence due to his nonconformity.
Because he don't increase his worth at someone else's expense
He doesn't believe in accumulating wealth or power by exploiting or taking advantage of another's misfortune or suffering, which strikes at the heart of your own economic beliefs.
Because he's not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
You make light of his willingness to experiment and try new things because you see it as 'uncool' or lacking any social status.
'Cause he doesn't tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile.
You reduce his impact to that of an entertainer or simpleton who cannot provide anything of value or worth to you beyond entertainment or humor.
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You find amusement in his belief in a higher power or religious doctrine, and see it as something to mock or ridicule.
You think that when you rest at last you'll go back from where you came
You believe that after you've lived your life, you'll be reincarnated or returned back to your place of origin without having made any real impact or change in the world.
But you're picked up quite a story and you've changed since the womb
You have a unique story and journey that has shaped who you are today, and that change and growth started long before you were even born.
What happened to the real you, you've been captured but by whom?
You question where the 'real' you is, and who or what has taken control of your life and shaped your beliefs and morals to what they are now.
Lyrics © BOB DYLAN MUSIC CO
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johan Sterk
'You can laugh at salvation, you can play olympic games, ... '. I've always revered this song, one of Dylan's many little known masterpieces. The driving tempo, the words, the guitar works, percussion, the whole caboodle just mesmerises me when played on repeat. Thanks for posting!! The lyrics ...
Go ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Because he has denied himself the things that you can’t live without
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walkin’ through
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, won’t that be sweet
Because he can’t be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can’t be bribed or bought by the things that you adore
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
When the whip that’s keeping you in line doesn’t make him jump
Say he’s hard-of-hearin’, say that he’s a chump
Say he’s out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn’t pay no tribute to the king that you serve
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Say that he’s a loser ’cause he got no common sense
Because he don’t increase his worth at someone else’s expense
Because he’s not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
’Cause he doesn’t tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile/say his friends make you smile (??).
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you’ll go back from where you came
But you’ve picked up quite a story and you’ve changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you’ve been captured but by whom?
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Randy Felts
[Verse 1]
Go ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Because he has denied himself the things that you can’t live without
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walking through
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 2]
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, won’t that be sweet
Because he can’t be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can’t be bribed or bought by the things that you adore
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 3]
When the whip that’s keeping you in line doesn’t make him jump
Say he’s hard-of-hearing, say that he’s a chump
Say he’s out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn’t pay tribute to the king that you serve
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 4]
Say that he’s a loser ’cause he got no common sense
Because he don’t increase his worth at someone else’s expense
Because he's not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
'Cause he doesn't tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile
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[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
[Verse 5]
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you’ll go back from where you came
But you’ve picked up quite a story and you’ve changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you’ve been captured but by whom?
[Chorus]
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Seaweed Hero
Go ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Because he has denied himself the things that you can’t live without
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walkin’ through
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, won’t that be sweet
Because he can’t be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can’t be bribed or bought by the things that you adore
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
When the whip that’s keeping you in line doesn’t make him jump
Say he’s hard-of-hearin’, say that he’s a chump
Say he’s out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn’t pay no tribute to the king that you serve
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Say that he’s a loser ’cause he got no common sense
Because he don’t increase his worth at someone else’s expense
Because he’s not afraid of trying, ’cause he don’t look at you and smile
’Cause he doesn’t tell you jokes or fairy tales, say he’s got no style
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you’ll go back from where you came
But you’ve picked up quite a story and you’ve changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you’ve been captured but by whom?
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
bobdylan.com/songs/property-jesus/
a cw
Such a great song. It's clear to see those who have a "heart of stone" in the world today.
The un-likeable Smugs who push everyone else off the stage and get off scot free.
Imagine what John Lennon would say and do if he were here now?
Imagine what George Harrison would say and do if he were here now?
They hated war mongering hypocrites, liars and cowards (heart of stone people).
They called for Peace and Love, not War.
Over 40 years and nothing changed, just more calls for War.
How can these cold hearted people at the The Department of No Justice even STAND THEMSELVES?
Juan Camacho
Do ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Because he has denied himself the things that you can't live without
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
Remember him of what he used to be when he comes walking through.
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, wouldn't that be sweet
Because he can't be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can't be bribed or bought by the things that you adore.
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
When the whip that's keeping you in line doesn't make him jump
Say he's hard-of-hearing, say that he's a chump
Say he's out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn't pay tribute to the king that you serve.
He's property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
Say that he's a loser 'cause he got no common sense
Because he don't increase his worth at someone else's expense
Because he's not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
'Cause he doesn't tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile.
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
🎵🎶🎵🎶
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you'll go back from where you came
But you're picked up quite a story and you've changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you've been captured but by whom?
He's the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You got a heart of stone.
Jake Klutts
I am continually discovering my new favorite Dylan song. The amount of work he’s put out is incredible.
Jake Klutts
@ferociousgumby I’ve heard his concerts are “hit or miss” some people who saw him in the 70’s would return to see him often times bringing their children and being underwhelmed by the concert second time around, when like as you pointed out—the dude has lived a whole life and a half.
Some of my favorite Dylan songs are his more low-key tracks. I would love to see him live at least once. The fact that he’s still putting out music and touring is incredible. My first Dylan song I heard was “times are a changin” when I was in Jr High, and every time I dig deeper I find something even better—-and there are whole albums of his I haven’t even touched!!
The eagles greatest hits is exactly that—no reason to listen to anything beyond while Bob’s best works are often times B-sides.
ferociousgumby
I love how when you play one of his videos, his latest performance is listed in the description, with a place to click to get tickets to actually SEE him. He's what, 81 years old now?
Leo Ryan
The only Artist i listened to in my teens that i can still listen to and enjoy just as much as back then..
nancy gorman
Only gets better in time
George Wade
right on !
Detrait Brigitte
Quel plaisir de retrouver cet album que j'ai écouté en boucle au moment de ma conversion. J'avais 20 ans et j'en ai maintenant 60. Mais ces chansons me touchent énormément 👏🤗. Que le Seigneur bénisse Bob 🌾🙏
Johan Sterk
'You can laugh at salvation, you can play olympic games, ... '. I've always revered this song, one of Dylan's many little known masterpieces. The driving tempo, the words, the guitar works, percussion, the whole caboodle just mesmerises me when played on repeat. Thanks for posting!! The lyrics ...
Go ahead and talk about him because he makes you doubt
Because he has denied himself the things that you can’t live without
Laugh at him behind his back just like the others do
Remind him of what he used to be when he comes walkin’ through
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Stop your conversation when he passes on the street
Hope he falls upon himself, oh, won’t that be sweet
Because he can’t be exploited by superstition anymore
Because he can’t be bribed or bought by the things that you adore
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
When the whip that’s keeping you in line doesn’t make him jump
Say he’s hard-of-hearin’, say that he’s a chump
Say he’s out of step with reality as you try to test his nerve
Because he doesn’t pay no tribute to the king that you serve
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
Say that he’s a loser ’cause he got no common sense
Because he don’t increase his worth at someone else’s expense
Because he’s not afraid of trying, say he's got no style
’Cause he doesn’t tell you jokes or fairy tales, say things that make you smile/say his friends make you smile (??).
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
You can laugh at salvation, you can play Olympic games
You think that when you rest at last you’ll go back from where you came
But you’ve picked up quite a story and you’ve changed since the womb
What happened to the real you, you’ve been captured but by whom?
He’s the property of Jesus
Resent him to the bone
You got something better
You’ve got a heart of stone
nancy gorman
Thank you!❤️
Crystal Belle 2
He’s the property of Jesus.
Thank you SO much for the lyrics as my hearing & memory have strolled on ahead of me dear friend.✨