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
Workingman's Blues #2
Bob Dylan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Starlight by the edge of the creek
The buyin' power of the proletariat's gone down
Money's gettin' shallow and weak
Well, the place I love best is a sweet memory
It's a new path that we trod
They say low wages are a reality
If we want to compete abroad
My cruel weapons have been put on the shelf
Come sit down on my knee
You are dearer to me than myself
As you yourself can see
While I'm listening to the steel rails hum
Got both eyes tight shut
Just sitting here trying to keep the hunger from
Creeping its way into my gut
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the frontline
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Well, I'm sailin' on back, ready for the long haul
Tossed by the winds and the seas
I'll drag 'em all down to hell and I'll stand 'em at the wall
I'll sell 'em to their enemies
I'm tryin' to feed my soul with thought
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
Sometimes no one wants what we got
Sometimes you can't give it away
Now the place is ringed with countless foes
Some of them may be deaf and dumb
No man, no woman knows
The hour that sorrow will come
In the dark I hear the night birds call
I can feel a lover's breath
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet in the hall
Sleep is like a temporary death
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the frontline
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Well, they burned my barn, and they stole my horse
I can't save a dime
I got to be careful, I don't want to be forced
Into a life of continual crime
I can see for myself that the sun is sinking
How I wish you were here to see
Tell me now, am I wrong in thinking
That you have forgotten me?
Now they worry and they hurry and they fuss and they fret
They waste your nights and days
Them I will forget
But you I'll remember always
Old memories of you to me have clung
You've wounded me with your words
Gonna have to straighten out your tongue
It's all true, everything you've heard
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the frontline
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
In you, my friend, I find no blame
Wanna look in my eyes, please do
No one can ever claim
That I took up arms against you
All across the peaceful sacred fields
They will lay you low
They'll break your horns and slash you with steel
I say it so it must be so
Now I'm down on my luck and I'm black and blue
Gonna give you another chance
I'm all alone and I'm expecting you
To lead me off in a cheerful dance
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Some people never worked a day in their life
Don't know what work even means
Well, meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the frontline
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Bob Dylan's Workingman's Blues #2 paints a poignant picture of a working man who is struggling to make ends meet. The song is filled with vivid images and metaphors that resonate with the working-class struggle. The lyrics capture the despair of the singer who is trying to survive in a world where the buying power of the proletariat has gone down, and the money is getting shallow and weak. The song highlights how the low wages are a reality, and the only way to compete abroad is to accept them. The working man's weapons have been put on the shelf, and he is sitting with closed eyes, trying to keep hunger at bay.
Throughout the song, Dylan captures the essence of the working-class journey, the hardship, and the sacrifice that comes with it. The singer's life is filled with countless foes, and in the dark, he can hear the night birds call. The song talks about the burning of his barn and the stealing of his horse, and now he has to be careful not to be forced into a life of continuous crime. Dylan uses haunting metaphors like "sleep is like a temporary death" to give voice to the working man's struggle.
Overall, the song is a powerful testament to the struggle of the working-class, its journey, and its pain. Dylan masterfully weaves a narrative that captures the essence of the working man's journey while highlighting the harsh reality of life in a capitalist society.
Line by Line Meaning
There's an evenin' haze settlin' over town
The peacefulness of the evening is settling over town.
Starlight by the edge of the creek
The brightness of the stars is shining by the creek.
The buyin' power of the proletariat's gone down
The ability of the working class to purchase goods has diminished.
Money's gettin' shallow and weak
The value of money is becoming shallow and weak.
Well, the place I love best is a sweet memory
The place that I love the most is only a memory now.
It's a new path that we trod
We are taking a new path in life.
They say low wages are a reality
It is a widely known reality that wages are low.
If we want to compete abroad
To compete with other countries, we need to keep wages low.
My cruel weapons have been put on the shelf
I have put away any cruel actions or intentions in the past.
Come sit down on my knee
Sit next to me and hear me out.
You are dearer to me than myself, As you yourself can see
You mean more to me than my own self, and it is clear to see.
While I'm listening to the steel rails hum
Listening to the sound of the steel rails that are humming in the distance.
Got both eyes tight shut
I have closed both of my eyes tightly.
Just sitting here trying to keep the hunger from
Simply trying to prevent hunger from setting in.
Creeping its way into my gut
Hunger is slowly and steadily making its way to my stomach.
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Meet me at the bottom but make sure you don't fall behind.
Bring me my boots and shoes
Get my boots and shoes and bring them to me.
You can hang back or fight your best on the frontline
You can either stay back or fight with all your might on the frontline.
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Sing a song about the struggles of the working-class.
Well, I'm sailin' on back, ready for the long haul
I am returning and ready for a long-term commitment.
Tossed by the winds and the seas
Being thrown around by the harsh winds and waves of the sea.
I'll drag 'em all down to hell and I'll stand 'em at the wall
I will bring them all down to their lowest point and make them face their consequences.
I'll sell 'em to their enemies
I will sell them out to their enemies.
I'm tryin' to feed my soul with thought
Trying to nourish my soul with thoughtful reflection.
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
Going to sleep for the remainder of the day.
Sometimes no one wants what we got
Sometimes what we have to offer is unwanted.
Sometimes you can't give it away
Sometimes what we have to offer is so unwanted that we cannot even give it away.
Now the place is ringed with countless foes
The place is now surrounded by many enemies.
Some of them may be deaf and dumb
Some of the enemies may be deaf and ignorant.
No man, no woman knows, The hour that sorrow will come
No one knows when sorrow or loss may strike.
In the dark I hear the night birds call
In the darkness, I can hear the birds singing.
I can feel a lover's breath
I can feel my lover's breath.
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet in the hall
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet outside the hall.
Sleep is like a temporary death
Sleep feels like a temporary escape or death.
Well, they burned my barn, and they stole my horse
They burned down my barn and stole my horse.
I can't save a dime
I am unable to save any money.
I got to be careful, I don't want to be forced
I have to be careful so I am not forced into anything.
Into a life of continual crime
It may lead me to a life of continuous crimes.
I can see for myself that the sun is sinking
I can see with my own eyes that the sun is going down.
How I wish you were here to see
How I wish you were here to witness it with me.
Tell me now, am I wrong in thinking
Is it incorrect for me to think this?
That you have forgotten me?
Do you still remember me, or have you forgotten me?
Now they worry and they hurry and they fuss and they fret
They are constantly worried, in a hurry and mentally agitated.
They waste your nights and days
They are wasting our days and nights with their worrying.
Them I will forget
I will forget them.
But you I'll remember always
But I'll always remember you.
Old memories of you to me have clung
Old memories of you continue to linger in my mind.
You've wounded me with your words
You have caused me pain with your words.
Gonna have to straighten out your tongue
You need to fix the way you speak.
It's all true, everything you've heard
Everything you've heard is true.
In you, my friend, I find no blame
I don't blame you, my friend.
Wanna look in my eyes, please do
Please look into my eyes.
No one can ever claim That I took up arms against you
No one can ever claim that I fought against you.
All across the peaceful sacred fields
All across the sacred and peaceful fields.
They will lay you low
They will bring you down.
They'll break your horns and slash you with steel
They will leave you defenseless and harm you.
I say it so it must be so
So it is, because I say so.
Now I'm down on my luck and I'm black and blue
I am now unlucky and battered.
Gonna give you another chance
I'll give you another opportunity.
I'm all alone and I'm expecting you
I am alone and I am expecting you.
To lead me off in a cheerful dance
To lead me in a happy dance.
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I have a new suit and a new wife.
I can live on rice and beans
I can live on basic food.
Some people never worked a day in their life
Some people have never had to work.
Don't know what work even means
They are unaware of what work truly is.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael R
There’s an evening’s haze settling over the town
Starlight by the edge of the creek
The buying power of the proletariat’s gone down
Money’s getting shallow and weak
The place I love best is a sweet memory
It’s a new path that we trod
They say low wages are a reality
If we want to compete abroad
My cruel weapons been laid back on the shelf
Come and sit down on my knee
You are dearer to me than myself
As you yourself can see
I’m listening to the steel rails hum
Got both eyes tight shut
I’m just trying to keep the hunger from
Creepin’ its way into my gut
Meet me at the bottom, don’t lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman’s blues
I’m sailing on back getting ready for the long haul
Leaving everything behind
If I stay here I’ll lose it all
The bandits will rob me blind
I’m trying to feed my soul with thought
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
Sometimes nobody wants what you got
Sometimes you can’t give it away
I woke up this morning and sprang to my feet
Went into town on a whim
I saw my father there in the street
At least I think it was him
In the dark I hear the night birds call
The hills are rugged and steep
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet in the hall
If I told you my whole story you’d weep
Meet me at the bottom, don’t lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman’s blues
They burned my barn and they stole my horse
I can’t save a dime
It’s a long way down and I don’t want to be forced
Into a life of continual crime
I can see for myself that the sun is sinking
O’er the banks of the deep blue sea
Tell me, am I wrong in thinking
That you have forgotten me
Now they worry and they hurry and they fuss and they fret
They waste your nights and days
Them, I will forget
You, I’ll remember always
It’s a cold black night and it’s midsummer’s eve
And the stars are spinning around
I still find it so hard to believe
That someone would kick me when I’m down
Meet me at the bottom, don’t lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman’s blues
I’ll be back home in a month or two
When the frost is on the vine
I’ll punch my spear right straight through
Half-ways down your spine
I’ll lift up my arms to the starry skies
And pray the fugitive’s prayer
I’m guessing tomorrow the sun will rise
I hope the final judgment’s fair
The battle is over up in the hills
And the mist is closing in
Look at me, with all of my spoils
What did I ever win?
Gotta brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Some people never worked a day in their life
They don’t know what work even means
Meet me at the bottom, don’t lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line Sing a little bit of these workingman’s blues
Bryan Keisling
Lyrics:
There's an evenin' haze settlin' over the town
Starlight by the edge of the creek
The buyin' power of the proletariat's gone down
Money's gettin' shallow and weak
Where the place I love best is a sweet memory
It's a new path that we trod
They say low wages are reality
If we want to compete abroad
My cruel weapons have been put on the shelf
Come sit down on my knees
You are dearer to me than myself
As you yourself can see
While I'm listenin' to the steel rails hum
Got both eyes tight shut
Just sitting here tryin' to keep the hunger from
Creeping its way into my gut
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Well, I'm sailin' on back, ready for the long haul
Tossed by the winds and the seas
I'll drag 'em all down to hell and I'll stand 'em at the wall
I'll sell 'em to their enemies
I'm tryin' to feed my soul with thought
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
Sometimes no one wants what we've got
Sometimes you can't give it away
Now the place is ringed with countless foes
Some of them may be deaf and dumb
No man, no woman knows
The hour that sorrow will come
In the dark I hear the night birds call
I can hear a lover's breath
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet in the hall
Sleep is like a temporary death
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Well, they burned my barn and they stole my horse
I can't save a dime
I got to be careful, I don't want to be forced
Into a life of continual crime
I can see for myself that the sun is sinking
How I wish you were here to see
Tell me now, am I wrong in thinking
That you have forgotten me?
Now they worry and they hurry and they fuss and they fret
They waste your nights and days
Them I will forget
But you I'll remember always
Old memories of you to me have clung
You've wounded me with words
Gonna have to straighten out your tongue
It's all true, everything you have heard
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman blues
In you, my friend, I find no blame
Wanna look in my eyes, please do
No one can ever claim
That I took up arms against you
All across the peaceful sacred fields
They will lay you low
They'll break your horns and slash you with steel
I say it so it must be so
Now I'm down on my luck and I'm black and blue
Gonna give you another chance
I'm all alone, I'm expecting you
To lead me off in a cheerful dance
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Some people never worked a day in their life
Don't know what work even means
Well, meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Souptik Chakraborty
There's an evenin' haze settlin' over the town
Starlight by the edge of the creek
The buyin' power of the proletariat's gone down
Money's gettin' shallow and weak
Where the place I love best is a sweet memory
It's a new path that we trod
They say low wages are reality
If we want to compete abroad
My cruel weapons have been put on the shelf
Come sit down on my knees
You are dearer to me than myself
As you yourself can see
While I'm listenin' to the steel rails hum
Got both eyes tight shut
Just sitting here tryin' to keep the hunger from
Creeping its way into my gut
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Well, I'm sailin' on back, ready for the long haul
Tossed by the winds and the seas
I'll drag 'em all down to hell and I'll stand 'em at the wall
I'll sell 'em to their enemies
I'm tryin' to feed my soul with thought
Gonna sleep off the rest of the day
Sometimes no one wants what we've got
Sometimes you can't give it away
Now the place is ringed with countless foes
Some of them may be deaf and dumb
No man, no woman knows
The hour that sorrow will come
In the dark I hear the night birds call
I can hear a lover's breath
I sleep in the kitchen with my feet in the hall
Sleep is like a temporary death
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Well, they burned my barn and they stole my horse
I can't save a dime
I got to be careful, I don't want to be forced
Into a life of continual crime
I can see for myself that the sun is sinking
How I wish you were here to see
Tell me now, am I wrong in thinking
That you have forgotten me?
Now they worry and they hurry and they fuss and they fret
They waste your nights and days
Them I will forget
But you I'll remember always
Old memories of you to me have clung
You've wounded me with words
Gonna have to straighten out your tongue
It's all true, everything you have heard
Meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman blues
In you, my friend, I find no blame
Wanna look in my eyes, please do
No one can ever claim
That I took up arms against you
All across the peaceful sacred fields
They will lay you low
They'll break your horns and slash you with steel
I say it so it must be so
Now I'm down on my luck and I'm black and blue
Gonna give you another chance
I'm all alone, I'm expecting you
To lead me off in a cheerful dance
I got a brand new suit and a brand new wife
I can live on rice and beans
Some people never worked a day in their life
Don't know what work even means
Well, meet me at the bottom, don't lag behind
Bring me my boots and shoes
You can hang back or fight your best on the front line
Sing a little bit of these workingman's blues
Alan Eisenberg
What a wonderful song. His creativity has never waned over the years and he has always been a few steps ahead of the rest.
Barb Stegner
Could be my favorite song of his...everything about it is magnificent 👌 ✨
inverterville
Amazing lyrics from the finest songwriter of all time....
wisdomsoldier
If God was a songwriter, Dylan would be his teacher 😊
Constant wireless
Best songwriter after king David his ancestor. I guess it's all in the family. I presume you know Dylan is a discipel from The King Himself?
Christopher Helton
Reminds me of my dad, a certified builder and carpenter all his life. He's lived in the same single-wide trailer for the last 20 years. I remember when I was just out of college I lived with him for a few months. I was a night owl, burning the oil until 3 to 4 a.m. every night. He'd get up to go to build a new subdivision at about 3:30, making coffee in a battered percolator that was probably older than me. He'd always ask me if I wanted coffee. I'd always refuse because I was finally about to go to sleep. Another memory from around the same time: waiting for him in his truck to pay for gas in a small Kentucky town at about 9 p.m. He had the radio tuned to the kind of local country station that plays old songs you don't hear on the mainstream stations anymore. That's when I first heard "The Year that Clayton Delaney Died." I asked him about it when he got back in the truck. He told me all about Tom T. Hall. I learned a lot about life from those little moments. I love you, Dad.
miha strasek
Bob, thank You for all the songs fired into the tuboverse...You make us cry, smile, contemplate, dance, feel like very few or near to none artists can. Thank You for the worlds you created for us all...on my own I would never stumble upon anything like it. Thank You and I wish You all the best!!!
d j Starr-Lowery
Couldn't say it better myself. We all need to go see him this year. Time is getting short. The breaks my heart just to think about it.
George Coventry
That song is a noble salute to the ragged remains and the memory of what this land once was.
Glory to God
Such a poetic comment!❤