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Bob Dylan - Only A Pawn in Their Game (1963)

A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers blood
A finger fired the trigger to his name
A handle hid out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a mans brain
But he cant be blamed
Hes only a pawn in their game

A South politician preaches to the poor white man
You got more than the blacks, dont complain
Youre better than them, you been born with white skin, they explain.
And the Negros name
Is used it is plain
For the politicians gain
As he rises to fame
And the poor white remains
On the caboose of the train
But it aint him to blame
Hes only a pawn in their game

The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the governors get paid
And the marshals and cops get the same
But the poor white mans used in the hands of them all like a tool
Hes taught in his school
From the start by the rule
That the laws are with him
To protect his white skin
To keep up his hate
So he never thinks straight
Bout the shape that hes in
But it aint him to blame
Hes only a pawn in their game

From the poverty shacks, he looks from the cracks to the tracks
And the hoofbeats pound in his brain
And hes taught how to walk in a pack
Shoot in the back
With his fist in a clinch
To hang and to lynch
To hide neath the hood
To kill with no pain
Like a dog on a chain
He aint got no name
But it aint him to blame
Hes only a pawn in their game.

Today, Medgar Evers was buried from the bullet he caught
They lowered him down as a king
But when the shadowy sun sets on the one
That fired the gun
Hell see by his grave
On the stone that remains
Carved next to his name
His epitaph plain:
Only a pawn in their game

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Great track

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Just as ever before, more so in fact

Just as 'Hurricane' and 'Don't Think Twice' is as well, lyrics are indicative of the times we live in - today's reflect what someone feels about the party life for example

There just isn't enough people with to convince us on top of the 4th wall, self-depreciating society we live in. Everything is about me, me, me but I think that's a symptom of the tragedy that is no one was ever really looking inwards like musicians or artists tend to do.. or those who were outsiders. Pretty soon there will be no left over stragglers and no real outsiders to report on the state of the world for people who unfortunately now live 'outside' inside the framework of an 'all inclusive' society

Times are just weird, but I'm glad music persists anyhow - I can't really 'believe' in the lyrics of today, but the music still sounds like what they're really feeling. Most of any lyric are really convincing when it's simple and pure, not when you throw in 5,000 magnificent 'oohhh' and 'ahhhs' with pride spewing out their nose or music so needlessly complicated to make the point.

I'm biased, lots of people (purists) don't 'get' rap either - but it's indicative of lyric and world building like video games are at times.. especially someone like Tupac

How have I never heard of this song before? I mean I'm not the biggest music guy, but that's a powerful song that I should have heard by now.

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LeperMessiahXX posted...

How have I never heard of this song before? I mean I'm not the biggest music guy, but that's a powerful song that I should have heard by now.

The album its on, The Times They Are A-Changin, is full of songs of equal power. Would definitely recommend.

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Yes.

I would also suggest this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmbwU3J-2kk

"William Zanzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll
With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger
At a Baltimore hotel society gath'rin'
And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him
As they rode him in custody down to the station
And booked William Zanzinger for first degree murder
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears
Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears
William Zanzinger, who at twenty four years
Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres
With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him
And high office relations in the politics of Maryland
Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders
And swear words and sneering, and his tongue it was snarling
In a matter of minutes on bail was out walking
But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize fears
Take the rag away from your face
Now ain't the time for your tears

Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen
She was fifty one years old and gave birth to ten children
Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage
And never sat once at the head of the table
And didn't even talk to the people at the table
Who just cleaned up all the food from the table
And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level
Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane
That sailed through the air and came down through the room
Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle
And she never done nothing to William Zanzinger
And you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears
Take the rag away from your face
Now ain't the time for your tears

In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel
To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level
And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded
And that even the Nobles get properly handled
Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em
And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom
Stared at the person who killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feelin' that way without warnin'
And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished
And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance
William Zanzinger with a six month sentence

Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears
Bury the rag deep in your face
For now's the time for your tears"
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Bob Dylan deserves more medals than he has - the man is a national treasure:

And take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind
Down the foggy ruins of time
Far past the frozen leaves
The haunted frightened trees
Out to the windy beach
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky
With one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea
Circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate
Driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow

Like how do you set those words to a backdrop like the one in Mr. Tambourine man, that's freedom if I've ever felt it right there

https://youtu.be/OeP4FFr88SQ?t=66

Bananana posted...

The album its on, The Times They Are A-Changin, is full of songs of equal power. Would definitely recommend.

I'm going to try to find the old vinyl. My brother bought me a bunch of old records because I bought a record player and I promised him I would start a collection. This seems like a good one to get.

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LeperMessiahXX posted...

I'm going to try to find the old vinyl. My brother bought me a bunch of old records because I bought a record player and I promised him I would start a collection. This seems like a good one to get.

Doo eet!!!

All his early albums are amazing.
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I should listen to more Bob Dylan.

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Bump

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Billy Joels "Start The Fire" is pretty relevant, tbqh.

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