Bob Dylan — Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts
Album: Blood on the TracksAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 486
Length: 8:43
Plays (last 30 days): 0
share
tweet
The festival was over, the boys were all plannin' for a fall,
The cabaret was quiet except for the drillin' in the wall.
The curfew had been lifted and the gamblin' wheel shut down,
Anyone who had any sense had already left town.
He was standin' in the doorway lookin' like the Jack of Hearts.
He moved across the mirrored room, "Set it up for everyone," he said,
Then everyone commenced to do what they were doin' before he turned their heads.
Then he walked up to a stranger and he asked him with a grin,
"Could you kindly tell me, friend, what time the show begins?"
Then he moved into the corner, face down like the Jack of Hearts.
Backstage the girls were playin' five-card stud by the stairs,
Lily had two queens, she was hopin' for a third to match her pair.
Outside the streets were fillin' up, the window was open wide,
A gentle breeze was blowin', you could feel it from inside.
Lily called another bet and drew up the Jack of Hearts.
Big Jim was no one's fool, he owned the town's only diamond mine,
He made his usual entrance lookin' so dandy and so fine.
With his bodyguards and silver cane and every hair in place,
He took whatever he wanted to and he laid it all to waste.
But his bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts.
Rosemary combed her hair and took a carriage into town,
She slipped in through the side door lookin' like a queen without a crown.
She fluttered her false eyelashes and whispered in his ear,
"Sorry, darlin', that I'm late," but he didn't seem to hear.
He was starin' into space over at the Jack of Hearts.
"I know I've seen that face somewhere," Big Jim was thinkin' to himself,
"Maybe down in Mexico or a picture up on somebody's shelf."
But then the crowd began to stamp their feet and the house lights did dim
And in the darkness of the room there was only Jim and him,
Starin' at the butterfly who just drew the Jack of Hearts.
Lily was a princess, she was fair-skinned and precious as a child,
She did whatever she had to do, she had that certain flash every time she smiled.
She had come away from a broken home, had lots of strange affairs
With men in every walk of life which took her everywhere.
But she'd never met anyone quite like the Jack of Hearts.
The hangin' judge came in unnoticed and was being wined and dined,
The drillin' in the wall kept up but no one seemed to pay it any mind.
It was known all around that Lily had Jim's ring
And nothing would ever come between Lily and the king.
No, nothin' ever would except maybe the Jack of Hearts.
Rosemary started drinkin' hard and seein' her reflection in the knife,
She was tired of the attention, tired of playin' the role of Big Jim's wife.
She had done a lot of bad things, even once tried suicide,
Was lookin' to do just one good deed before she died.
She was gazin' to the future, riding on the Jack of Hearts.
Lily took her dress off and buried it away.
"Has your luck run out?" she laughed at him, "Well, I guess you must
have known it would someday.
Be careful not to touch the wall, there's a brand-new coat of paint,
I'm glad to see you're still alive, you're lookin' like a saint."
Down the hallway footsteps were comin' for the Jack of Hearts.
The backstage manager was pacing all around by his chair.
"There's something funny going on," he said, "I can just feel it in the air."
He went to get the hangin' judge, but the hangin' judge was drunk,
As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk.
There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts.
No one knew the circumstance but they say that it happened pretty quick,
The door to the dressing room burst open and a Colt revolver clicked.
And Big Jim was standin' there, ya couldn't say surprised,
Rosemary right beside him, steady in her eyes.
She was with Big Jim but she was leanin' to the Jack of Hearts.
Two doors down the boys finally made it through the wall
And cleaned out the bank safe, it's said they got off with quite a haul.
In the darkness by the riverbed they waited on the ground
For one more member who had business back in town.
But they couldn't go no further without the Jack of Hearts.
The next day was hangin' day, the sky was overcast and black,
Big Jim lay covered up, killed by a penknife in the back.
And Rosemary on the gallows, she didn't even blink,
The hangin' judge was sober, he hadn't had a drink.
The only person on the scene missin' was the Jack of Hearts.
The cabaret was empty now, a sign said, "Closed for repair,"
Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair.
She was thinkin' 'bout her father, who she very rarely saw,
Thinkin' 'bout Rosemary and thinkin' about the law.
But, most of all she was thinkin' 'bout the Jack of Hearts.
The cabaret was quiet except for the drillin' in the wall.
The curfew had been lifted and the gamblin' wheel shut down,
Anyone who had any sense had already left town.
He was standin' in the doorway lookin' like the Jack of Hearts.
He moved across the mirrored room, "Set it up for everyone," he said,
Then everyone commenced to do what they were doin' before he turned their heads.
Then he walked up to a stranger and he asked him with a grin,
"Could you kindly tell me, friend, what time the show begins?"
Then he moved into the corner, face down like the Jack of Hearts.
Backstage the girls were playin' five-card stud by the stairs,
Lily had two queens, she was hopin' for a third to match her pair.
Outside the streets were fillin' up, the window was open wide,
A gentle breeze was blowin', you could feel it from inside.
Lily called another bet and drew up the Jack of Hearts.
Big Jim was no one's fool, he owned the town's only diamond mine,
He made his usual entrance lookin' so dandy and so fine.
With his bodyguards and silver cane and every hair in place,
He took whatever he wanted to and he laid it all to waste.
But his bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts.
Rosemary combed her hair and took a carriage into town,
She slipped in through the side door lookin' like a queen without a crown.
She fluttered her false eyelashes and whispered in his ear,
"Sorry, darlin', that I'm late," but he didn't seem to hear.
He was starin' into space over at the Jack of Hearts.
"I know I've seen that face somewhere," Big Jim was thinkin' to himself,
"Maybe down in Mexico or a picture up on somebody's shelf."
But then the crowd began to stamp their feet and the house lights did dim
And in the darkness of the room there was only Jim and him,
Starin' at the butterfly who just drew the Jack of Hearts.
Lily was a princess, she was fair-skinned and precious as a child,
She did whatever she had to do, she had that certain flash every time she smiled.
She had come away from a broken home, had lots of strange affairs
With men in every walk of life which took her everywhere.
But she'd never met anyone quite like the Jack of Hearts.
The hangin' judge came in unnoticed and was being wined and dined,
The drillin' in the wall kept up but no one seemed to pay it any mind.
It was known all around that Lily had Jim's ring
And nothing would ever come between Lily and the king.
No, nothin' ever would except maybe the Jack of Hearts.
Rosemary started drinkin' hard and seein' her reflection in the knife,
She was tired of the attention, tired of playin' the role of Big Jim's wife.
She had done a lot of bad things, even once tried suicide,
Was lookin' to do just one good deed before she died.
She was gazin' to the future, riding on the Jack of Hearts.
Lily took her dress off and buried it away.
"Has your luck run out?" she laughed at him, "Well, I guess you must
have known it would someday.
Be careful not to touch the wall, there's a brand-new coat of paint,
I'm glad to see you're still alive, you're lookin' like a saint."
Down the hallway footsteps were comin' for the Jack of Hearts.
The backstage manager was pacing all around by his chair.
"There's something funny going on," he said, "I can just feel it in the air."
He went to get the hangin' judge, but the hangin' judge was drunk,
As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk.
There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts.
No one knew the circumstance but they say that it happened pretty quick,
The door to the dressing room burst open and a Colt revolver clicked.
And Big Jim was standin' there, ya couldn't say surprised,
Rosemary right beside him, steady in her eyes.
She was with Big Jim but she was leanin' to the Jack of Hearts.
Two doors down the boys finally made it through the wall
And cleaned out the bank safe, it's said they got off with quite a haul.
In the darkness by the riverbed they waited on the ground
For one more member who had business back in town.
But they couldn't go no further without the Jack of Hearts.
The next day was hangin' day, the sky was overcast and black,
Big Jim lay covered up, killed by a penknife in the back.
And Rosemary on the gallows, she didn't even blink,
The hangin' judge was sober, he hadn't had a drink.
The only person on the scene missin' was the Jack of Hearts.
The cabaret was empty now, a sign said, "Closed for repair,"
Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair.
She was thinkin' 'bout her father, who she very rarely saw,
Thinkin' 'bout Rosemary and thinkin' about the law.
But, most of all she was thinkin' 'bout the Jack of Hearts.
Comments (137)add comment
Least impressive song on a Classic Album.
Sucking hillbilly crap!!
Poacher wrote:
I muted. Went and painted a room, did some paperwork, called the tax office, restored a car, came back and it was still playing!
gvan wrote:
Oh yeah, I painted a complete reproduction of the the Sistine Chapel fresco in my living room, created paper from wood pulp, rewrote the entire tax code, and built a car from old washer/dryer parts and this song was still playing!
*Two fists at Bob*
Do you two live in Yorkshire, by any chance?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
I muted. Went and painted a room, did some paperwork, called the tax office, restored a car, came back and it was still playing!
*Shakes fist at Bob*
gvan wrote:
Oh yeah, I painted a complete reproduction of the the Sistine Chapel fresco in my living room, created paper from wood pulp, rewrote the entire tax code, and built a car from old washer/dryer parts and this song was still playing!
*Two fists at Bob*
Do you two live in Yorkshire, by any chance?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo
Great deep track.
handyrae wrote:
it sure does go on (and on), doesn't it.
Please......Make......It.........STOP!
it sure does go on (and on), doesn't it.
Like motopscho nitemare off of "another side of Bob Dylan". That's my fav Dylan story song.
anotherlistener wrote:
It would need to be a trilogy............
This really needs to be made into a movie.
It would need to be a trilogy............
One of my all-time favorites. Thanks, B.
Love his phrasing and lyrics on this. Its ok to tell a story in a song. Not every song must be a 3-minute movie, some songs can be 9-minute novels.
"Be careful not to touch the wall
there's a brand new coat of paint
I'm glad to see you're still alive
you're looking like a saint"
Always liked how that flows.
there's a brand new coat of paint
I'm glad to see you're still alive
you're looking like a saint"
Always liked how that flows.
I think Bill passed out and hit the off button...
This must be the radio edit version, only 9 minutes. 
Please......Make......It.........STOP!
On_The_Beach wrote:
Excellent!
Saying that this song is too long is this century's equivalent of saying Mozart used too many notes.
<...>
<...>
Excellent!
gvan wrote:
It's all good. Cheers, gvan. : )
Well, at least your comment wasn't too long. I was being iconoclastic... or sarcastic... I don't know, I was just making a joke at the expense of someone whose place in the pantheon is secure. Why not? Besides, looks like I made you care for a minute or two.
It's all good. Cheers, gvan. : )
On_The_Beach wrote:
Well, at least your comment wasn't too long. I was being iconoclastic... or sarcastic... I don't know, I was just making a joke at the expense of someone whose place in the pantheon is secure. Why not? Besides, looks like I made you care for a minute or two.
Saying that this song is too long is this century's equivalent of saying Mozart used too many notes.
Whine on whiners; nobody cares!
Whine on whiners; nobody cares!
Well, at least your comment wasn't too long. I was being iconoclastic... or sarcastic... I don't know, I was just making a joke at the expense of someone whose place in the pantheon is secure. Why not? Besides, looks like I made you care for a minute or two.
Saying that this song is too long is this century's equivalent of saying Mozart used too many notes.
Whine on whiners; nobody cares!
Whine on whiners; nobody cares!
Poacher wrote:
Oh yeah, I painted a complete reproduction of the the Sistine Chapel fresco in my living room, created paper from wood pulp, rewrote the entire tax code, and built a car from old washer/dryer parts and this song was still playing!
*Two fists at Bob*
I muted. Went and painted a room, did some paperwork, called the tax office, restored a car, came back and it was still playing!
*Shakes fist at Bob*
*Shakes fist at Bob*
Oh yeah, I painted a complete reproduction of the the Sistine Chapel fresco in my living room, created paper from wood pulp, rewrote the entire tax code, and built a car from old washer/dryer parts and this song was still playing!
*Two fists at Bob*
Poacher wrote:
Yep, you surely get good value from yer man Dylan, right enough. I've played two iTunes tracks during this effort and will have to do another one. Great songwriter, astounding poet, crap singer. IMO naturally.
I muted. Went and painted a room, did some paperwork, called the tax office, restored a car, came back and it was still playing!
*Shakes fist at Bob*
*Shakes fist at Bob*
Yep, you surely get good value from yer man Dylan, right enough. I've played two iTunes tracks during this effort and will have to do another one. Great songwriter, astounding poet, crap singer. IMO naturally.
Great album, excellent tune, great —- here it comes you haters - Vocal.
ubuntourist wrote:
good stuff, good stuff...
Such timing. I'd just taken a break from work and called up a hand of Solitaire. 
good stuff, good stuff...
I muted. Went and painted a room, did some paperwork, called the tax office, restored a car, came back and it was still playing!
*Shakes fist at Bob*
*Shakes fist at Bob*
lyrically some of the material on this album was pretty damned good but the SOUND of his voice, of the band, the beautiful SOUND is gone here and.......................... it never returned.
Such timing. I'd just taken a break from work and called up a hand of Solitaire.
I love this song...but not this version it sounds like a carnival...the bootleg version on "Blood on the Tapes" totally blows this version away. Please Bill play the bootleg version. If you need it I can find it for you..Still a 7 not a 10.
Dylan at his best.
He's a poet, I'll give him that.
Bosami wrote:
I'll drink to that.
. . . In these days of the endless overdubbing for perfection, auto-tune and other manufactured studio gimmicks - I'd take a rollicking live version over perfection any day. Especially when the songwriter is Bob Dylan.
I'll drink to that.Thanks Bill.
Hippostar wrote:
Oh a real nobody. Just this guy...Paul Griffin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Griffin_(musician)
He has quite a resume.
If I recall correctly - these songs were recorded live and on the fly - with nary a word of direction from Dylan beside what key the song was in and perhaps the chord progression.
In these days of the endless overdubbing for perfection, auto-tune and other manufactured studio gimmicks - I'd take a rollicking live version over perfection any day. Especially when the songwriter is Bob Dylan.
Where did he find that organ player? A first week piano student? The sheer number of obvious mistakes is staggering.
Oh a real nobody. Just this guy...Paul Griffin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Griffin_(musician)
He has quite a resume.
If I recall correctly - these songs were recorded live and on the fly - with nary a word of direction from Dylan beside what key the song was in and perhaps the chord progression.
In these days of the endless overdubbing for perfection, auto-tune and other manufactured studio gimmicks - I'd take a rollicking live version over perfection any day. Especially when the songwriter is Bob Dylan.
I always thought this song was weirdly out of place on this album...
JohnBauer wrote:
Paul, there are over 2,500 tracks on that list (though many are instrumental, sans lyrics). Here are lyrics to one, taken more or less randomly. Bruce Cockburn's "If I had a Rocket Launcher." The song first appeared on a 1984 album, Stealing Fire, and seems to refer to Latin American dictators. Fast forward 20 years and there is Sudan's Darfur and the Janjaweed's (internally) state-sponsored terrorism. Still, the world stands by helplessly. Here comes the helicopter — second time today
Everybody scatters and hopes it goes away
How many kids they've murdered only God can say
If I had a rocket launcher...I'd make somebody pay I don't believe in guarded borders and I don't believe in hate
I don't believe in generals or their stinking torture states
And when I talk with the survivors of things too sickening to relate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would retaliate On the Rio Lacantun, one hundred thousand wait
To fall down from starvation — or some less humane fate
Cry for Guatemala, with a corpse in every gate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would not hesitate I want to raise every voice — at least I've got to try
Every time I think about it water rises to my eyes.
Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
If I had a rocket launcher...Some son of a bitch would die
'If I Had a Rocket Launcher' clearly refers to the Guatemalan military junta's slaughter of hundreds of thousands of their own indigenous Mayan people - men, women and children "disappeared". Though I (Bruce, too, I think) am a pacifist - I just might want to retaliate if it were my mother and my brothers and sisters, my whole tribe, being murdered. Especially shameful was (as is so often the case in Latin America) US involvement:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemalan_Civil_War
Paul, there are over 2,500 tracks on that list (though many are instrumental, sans lyrics). Here are lyrics to one, taken more or less randomly. Bruce Cockburn's "If I had a Rocket Launcher." The song first appeared on a 1984 album, Stealing Fire, and seems to refer to Latin American dictators. Fast forward 20 years and there is Sudan's Darfur and the Janjaweed's (internally) state-sponsored terrorism. Still, the world stands by helplessly. Here comes the helicopter — second time today
Everybody scatters and hopes it goes away
How many kids they've murdered only God can say
If I had a rocket launcher...I'd make somebody pay I don't believe in guarded borders and I don't believe in hate
I don't believe in generals or their stinking torture states
And when I talk with the survivors of things too sickening to relate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would retaliate On the Rio Lacantun, one hundred thousand wait
To fall down from starvation — or some less humane fate
Cry for Guatemala, with a corpse in every gate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would not hesitate I want to raise every voice — at least I've got to try
Every time I think about it water rises to my eyes.
Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
If I had a rocket launcher...Some son of a bitch would die
'If I Had a Rocket Launcher' clearly refers to the Guatemalan military junta's slaughter of hundreds of thousands of their own indigenous Mayan people - men, women and children "disappeared". Though I (Bruce, too, I think) am a pacifist - I just might want to retaliate if it were my mother and my brothers and sisters, my whole tribe, being murdered. Especially shameful was (as is so often the case in Latin America) US involvement:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guatemalan_Civil_War
Where did he find that organ player? A first week piano student? The sheer number of obvious mistakes is staggering.
https://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/124592-blood-on-the-tracks-between-the-grooves/
anotherlistener wrote:
It'd be a bit long, don't you think?
This really needs to be made into a movie.
It'd be a bit long, don't you think?
This really needs to be made into a movie.
My wife and I love this song just for the pure audacity of it. As is one of our hobbies, we made up sophomoric dirty lyrics to it, which I can't print here.
this song has soooo many connections ~ thanks Bill/Rebecca ~ yours truly, forever the Jack of Roses
Randomax wrote:
Bob's always been known for the many versed song...esp. his early stuff....I'm trying to remember the song that was the ENTIRE side of one of his albums (in the 60's) that was about his breakup with his one, true love (much to the chagrin of Joan)....a powerful song that painted an entire picture of the times and incident leading up the the moment of the breakup. Someone please remind me of the name of that song.
I use a slightly different perspective and like to look at a lot of Bob's work as concise short novels instead of extended songs. From my view there are few artists of any kind that can deliver such a vivid and intriguing storyline with so few words as Bob does again and again.
Bob's always been known for the many versed song...esp. his early stuff....I'm trying to remember the song that was the ENTIRE side of one of his albums (in the 60's) that was about his breakup with his one, true love (much to the chagrin of Joan)....a powerful song that painted an entire picture of the times and incident leading up the the moment of the breakup. Someone please remind me of the name of that song.
I use a slightly different perspective and like to look at a lot of Bob's work as concise short novels instead of extended songs. From my view there are few artists of any kind that can deliver such a vivid and intriguing storyline with so few words as Bob does again and again.
Moldy Oldy
One eye open, the other presumed...
You're probably thinking of "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" from Blonde on Blonde or "Desolation Row" from Highway 61 Revisited. Both great songs, both over 11 minutes in length.
Randomax wrote:
Bob's always been known for the many versed song...esp. his early stuff....I'm trying to remember the song that was the ENTIRE side of one of his albums (in the 60's) that was about his breakup with his one, true love (much to the chagrin of Joan)....a powerful song that painted an entire picture of the times and incident leading up the the moment of the breakup. Someone please remind me of the name of that song.
Randomax wrote:
Bob's always been known for the many versed song...esp. his early stuff....I'm trying to remember the song that was the ENTIRE side of one of his albums (in the 60's) that was about his breakup with his one, true love (much to the chagrin of Joan)....a powerful song that painted an entire picture of the times and incident leading up the the moment of the breakup. Someone please remind me of the name of that song.
h9xh9xh9x wrote:
I'd give every Church-o-Bob song a negative infinity rank, if I could. RP needs to expand the mix a bit, and retire Bob.
He hates authority, so that makes him talented. Apparently.
I'd give every Church-o-Bob song a negative infinity rank, if I could. RP needs to expand the mix a bit, and retire Bob.
He hates authority, so that makes him talented. Apparently.
bluedot wrote:
Bob's always been known for the many versed song...esp. his early stuff....I'm trying to remember the song that was the ENTIRE side of one of his albums (in the 60's) that was about his breakup with his one, true love (much to the chagrin of Joan)....a powerful song that painted an entire picture of the times and incident leading up the the moment of the breakup. Someone please remind me of the name of that song.
lol. i love dylan's stuff, but still, lol!
Baby_M wrote:
Baby_M wrote:
Bob Dylan sang another verse, the song had many verses more to go.
The audience was restless, they were hopin' he would finish it you know.
And at the RP studio, Bill was nowhere to be found,
He went and fixed some dinner, then he walked the dog around.
He had half an hour before the end of "The Jack of Hearts."
The audience was restless, they were hopin' he would finish it you know.
And at the RP studio, Bill was nowhere to be found,
He went and fixed some dinner, then he walked the dog around.
He had half an hour before the end of "The Jack of Hearts."
Bob's always been known for the many versed song...esp. his early stuff....I'm trying to remember the song that was the ENTIRE side of one of his albums (in the 60's) that was about his breakup with his one, true love (much to the chagrin of Joan)....a powerful song that painted an entire picture of the times and incident leading up the the moment of the breakup. Someone please remind me of the name of that song.
h9xh9xh9x wrote:
I'd give every Church-o-Bob song a negative infinity rank, if I could. RP needs to expand the mix a bit, and retire Bob.
Dude! BINGO!!!
I'd give every Church-o-Bob song a negative infinity rank, if I could. RP needs to expand the mix a bit, and retire Bob.
Dude! BINGO!!!
midreaming wrote:
Can SING!!!???????
easy 9. It's be a 10 if I weren't being conservative. and not cause i'm a sheep but cause i love this guy. and in fact he can play guitar, aND he can sing, those who don't think so just don't listen. Dylan does more with the inflection of his voice than an infinite number of chart topping wannabe's.
Do you find yourself hypnotized while they smile big toothy bubble gum grins in the camera while MTV cribs feeds you your sense of cool? 'don't even know it but you sit there glued to the tv with your hands in your pocket pullin out the change without even knowing and yes you not only buy the shampoo but you use it. you'd probably drink it too thinking it'd make you a rebel if anyone ever caught you doing it. But mostly you just think it makes you look good.. go ahead, paste yer deluded banana's all over your pop tart fave's. you and your bananas are better drinking buddies than you might know, in fact you're famous. Believe it
Do you find yourself hypnotized while they smile big toothy bubble gum grins in the camera while MTV cribs feeds you your sense of cool? 'don't even know it but you sit there glued to the tv with your hands in your pocket pullin out the change without even knowing and yes you not only buy the shampoo but you use it. you'd probably drink it too thinking it'd make you a rebel if anyone ever caught you doing it. But mostly you just think it makes you look good.. go ahead, paste yer deluded banana's all over your pop tart fave's. you and your bananas are better drinking buddies than you might know, in fact you're famous. Believe it
Can SING!!!???????
Torture. Lower than 1. WHAT do you ppl find worthy with this guy. Pioneer, sure. But many pioneers are gone and so should he be. 
lol. i love dylan's stuff, but still, lol!
Baby_M wrote:
Baby_M wrote:
Bob Dylan sang another verse, the song had many verses more to go.
The audience was restless, they were hopin' he would finish it you know.
And at the RP studio, Bill was nowhere to be found,
He went and fixed some dinner, then he walked the dog around.
He had half an hour before the end of "The Jack of Hearts."
The audience was restless, they were hopin' he would finish it you know.
And at the RP studio, Bill was nowhere to be found,
He went and fixed some dinner, then he walked the dog around.
He had half an hour before the end of "The Jack of Hearts."
67nj wrote:
songwriting?
There's Bob and then the rest.
You had my attention with the picture. Your comment just sealed the deal! There's Bob and then the rest.
gjeeg wrote:
Have you seen "Walk Hard"? Eddie Vedder does a very funny spoof of this at the end, during the scene where Dewy Cox is inducted into the RocknRoll Hall of Fame.
Zimmerman!
The Enigma
The Jokester
The Prophet
The Oracle
The Court Jester
The One
The Only
The Jewish boy from Minnesota
The Enigma
The Jokester
The Prophet
The Oracle
The Court Jester
The One
The Only
The Jewish boy from Minnesota
Have you seen "Walk Hard"? Eddie Vedder does a very funny spoof of this at the end, during the scene where Dewy Cox is inducted into the RocknRoll Hall of Fame.
cherinoel wrote:
wow - you must type at least 100 wpm!
i just copy and paste what other people write. It's easier that way.. and it makes me sound smarter than i really am
wow - you must type at least 100 wpm!
i just copy and paste what other people write. It's easier that way.. and it makes me sound smarter than i really am
Bob Dylan sang another verse, the song had many verses more to go.
The audience was restless, they were hopin' he would finish it you know.
And at the RP studio, Bill was nowhere to be found,
He went and fixed some dinner, then he walked the dog around.
He had half an hour before the end of "The Jack of Hearts."
The audience was restless, they were hopin' he would finish it you know.
And at the RP studio, Bill was nowhere to be found,
He went and fixed some dinner, then he walked the dog around.
He had half an hour before the end of "The Jack of Hearts."
Anyone else think it sounds like he's saying: "Rosemary combed her hair and took a cabbage into town"?
midreaming wrote:
wow - you must type at least 100 wpm!
easy 9. It's be a 10 if I weren't being conservative. and not cause i'm a sheep but cause i love this guy. and in fact he can play guitar, aND he can sing, those who don't think so just don't listen. Dylan does more with the inflection of his voice than an infinite number of chart topping wannabe's. Do you find yourself hypnotized while they smile big toothy bubble gum grins in the camera while MTV cribs feeds you your sense of cool? 'don;t even know it but you sit there glued to the tv with your hands in your pocket pullin out the change without even knowing and yes you not only buy the shampoo but you use it, you probably drink it too thinking you might be a rebel if anyone ever catches you doing it. But mostly you just think it makes you look good.. go ahead, paste yer deluded banana's all over your pop tart fave's. you and your bananas are better drinking buddies than you might know, in fact you're famous. Believe it
wow - you must type at least 100 wpm!
Schnix wrote:
And people get mad at Jerry Garcia's "noodling"
This is a really, well - "unorthodox" harmonica solo in the beginning again. Bob Dylan playing the harmonica is always "funny", but nothing I would actually want to hear on a recording.
And people get mad at Jerry Garcia's "noodling"
I named my dog Jack after this song. And that's a good thing.
Hard to believe this is from 1974!! It's his Sgt. Pepper thou...
Always dug this album but never liked this song. It's one of his weakest songs ever. Right there with most any of the bad ones from Self Portrait.
overstays its welcome like no other song, ever.
Zimmerman!
The Enigma
The Jokester
The Prophet
The Oracle
The Court Jester
The One
The Only
The Jewish boy from Minnesota
The Enigma
The Jokester
The Prophet
The Oracle
The Court Jester
The One
The Only
The Jewish boy from Minnesota
Great beat, great performance,a real story - a love story and an adventure story, with nemesis standing in the wings for the baddie,*and* about the Old West. What more do you need, man?
(Oh — a big fat joint, like what we had when we were listening to this LP for the first few dozen times? OK.)
To sum up: Glorious.
(Oh — a big fat joint, like what we had when we were listening to this LP for the first few dozen times? OK.)
To sum up: Glorious.
birdland wrote:
Some folks just don't get that one...
...the only person on the scene missing, was the Jack of Hearts.
Kills me everytime, that line.
Kills me everytime, that line.
Some folks just don't get that one...
I know all the great lyrics and all that generational-wonderfulness that is Bob Dylan, but this song cannot possibly end fast enough for my taste. I like some of his work which could be called "seminal" but this just doesn't make it happen for me.
Like much Dylan, LOVE some Dylan, don't care at all for this. It's so tedious musically that I can't pay enough attention to even know what the story is about.
JohnBauer wrote:
HA HA HA HA HA! Oh god, what we would we do without our resident RP attention seekers!
"Dylan didn't make the cut" HA HA HA HA HA!
(click here) to check out my "playlist." Donovan, Lulu, Franki Valli, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Elvis, Burt Bacharach, and other 60s-era soloist giants are featured, but Dylan didn't make the cut.
HA HA HA HA HA! Oh god, what we would we do without our resident RP attention seekers!
"Dylan didn't make the cut" HA HA HA HA HA!
JohnBauer wrote:
(click here) to check out my "playlist." Donovan, Lulu, Franki Valli, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Elvis, Burt Bacharach, and other 60s-era soloist giants are featured, but Dylan didn't make the cut.
Tom Jones... a giant?? Just no accounting for taste is there!!! LOL - Well...OK physically, yes...for the matron in the audience with the binocs aimed btb.
(click here) to check out my "playlist." Donovan, Lulu, Franki Valli, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Elvis, Burt Bacharach, and other 60s-era soloist giants are featured, but Dylan didn't make the cut.
Tom Jones... a giant?? Just no accounting for taste is there!!! LOL - Well...OK physically, yes...for the matron in the audience with the binocs aimed btb.
Bob Dylan: A lyrical genius, beyond reproach, but why oh why did he ever have to open his mouth to sing? 
please. . . make. . . this. . . stop.
...the only person on the scene missing, was the Jack of Hearts.
Kills me everytime, that line.
Kills me everytime, that line.
aelfheld wrote:
and how
Putting it to a melody doesn't change the fact that fingernails are being dragged across a chalkboard.
and how
Putting it to a melody doesn't change the fact that fingernails are being dragged across a chalkboard.
Settles in for a nice long one. 
It just won't end, will it?
JohnBauer wrote:
Paul, there are over 2,500 tracks on that list (though many are instrumental, sans lyrics). . . . .
I noticed a British flag next to Tiny Tim's name on your list. He hailed from the upper west side of Manhattan. Or did you mean Ricketts Boy from the Dickens story?
Paul, there are over 2,500 tracks on that list (though many are instrumental, sans lyrics). . . . .
I noticed a British flag next to Tiny Tim's name on your list. He hailed from the upper west side of Manhattan. Or did you mean Ricketts Boy from the Dickens story?
Schnix wrote:
He is unpolished... I just love that! Then again, its good to know when you are hearing quality. One things for sure, Bob Dylan is a quality story-teller if nothing else.
This is a really, well - "unorthodox" harmonica solo in the beginning again. Bob Dylan playing the harmonica is always "funny", but nothing I would actually want to hear on a recording.
He is unpolished... I just love that! Then again, its good to know when you are hearing quality. One things for sure, Bob Dylan is a quality story-teller if nothing else.
This is a really, well - "unorthodox" harmonica solo in the beginning again. Bob Dylan playing the harmonica is always "funny", but nothing I would actually want to hear on a recording.
I really feel like I should like Bob Dylan. Been trying to like him for years and years. I don't think I'm going to acquire a taste for him! Oh well.
This is the song that has no end
It just goes on and on my friend
Some people started singing it not knowing what it was
Now they'll continue singing it forever just because.........
It just goes on and on my friend
Some people started singing it not knowing what it was
Now they'll continue singing it forever just because.........
JohnBauer wrote:
Paul, there are over 2,500 tracks on that list (though many are instrumental, sans lyrics). Here are lyrics to one...
Thank you John, an interesting rhyming scheme, intelligent content and a nice structure, I think the British Poet Laureate is a great Dylan fan, and one test of lyrics - though by no means the only test- is whether the lyrics stand up without the music.
Now I know many great lyrics are nonsense when reviewed in the cold light of day. I love Metal Guru by T Rex, but it is absolute gibberish. However, I would agree that these lyrics would make me curious to hear the song, as they are intelligent and thought provoking.
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
...I disagree that "Examples of excellent lyrics are too numerous to count."
I think that examples of excellent lyrics are few and far between, even on your comprehensive playlist!
Paul, there are over 2,500 tracks on that list (though many are instrumental, sans lyrics). Here are lyrics to one, taken more or less randomly. Bruce Cockburn's "If I had a Rocket Launcher." The song first appeared on a 1984 album, Stealing Fire, and seems to refer to Latin American dictators. Fast forward 20 years and there is Sudan's Darfur and the Janjaweed's (internally) state-sponsored terrorism. Still, the world stands by helplessly.
Here comes the helicopter -- second time today
Everybody scatters and hopes it goes away
How many kids they've murdered only God can say
If I had a rocket launcher...I'd make somebody pay
I don't believe in guarded borders and I don't believe in hate
I don't believe in generals or their stinking torture states
And when I talk with the survivors of things too sickening to relate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would retaliate
On the Rio Lacantun, one hundred thousand wait
To fall down from starvation -- or some less humane fate
Cry for Guatemala, with a corpse in every gate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would not hesitate
I want to raise every voice -- at least I've got to try
Every time I think about it water rises to my eyes.
Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
If I had a rocket launcher...Some son of a bitch would die
Paul, check out my movie recommendations. Antipodeans are well-represented there, too, and deservedly so.
JohnBauer wrote:
G'day, Paul. I lived in Perth during the 90s, a fact I hope no Melbournian will hold against me.
Most songs seem to tell a story of some sort. Examples of excellent lyrics are too numerous to count.
(click here) to check out my "playlist."
You have put a lot of effort into the playlist, John, which I respect. I found your choices interesting! It is not compulsory to like His Bobness! But I disagree that "Examples of excellent lyrics are too numerous to count."
I think that examples of excellent lyrics are few and far between, even on your comprehensive playlist!
Paul_in_Australia wrote:
No flaming, but I wonder if you can name a better example of story telling through the medium of song, John?
G'day, Paul. I lived in Perth during the 90s, a fact I hope no Melbournian will hold against me.
Most songs seem to tell a story of some sort. Examples of excellent lyrics are too numerous to count. It's great when songwriters stray from the well-worn "boy meets girl" paradigm and actually scratches deeper into the surface of the human condition. (Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is a recent example RP featured.) Love it or hate it, Suzanne Vega's Luka is another example.
Reuben "Hurricane" Carter's story is definitely one worth telling, and hats off to Dylan for drawing public attention to what appeared to be a terrible miscarriage of justice. Like Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews, or any number of other entertainers, I respect Dylan for originality and for commanding a fan following.
I might be able to listen to his songs, if someone else sang them!
(click here) to check out my "playlist." Donovan, Lulu, Franki Valli, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Elvis, Burt Bacharach, and other 60s-era soloist giants are featured, but Dylan didn't make the cut.
JohnBauer wrote:
I'll be the lone voice of dissent here. Flame away.
No flaming, but I wonder if you can name a better example of story telling through the medium of song, John?
This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...This is the song that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some people started singing it, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue singing it forever just because...
songwriting?
There's Bob and then the rest.
Please make the whiny git stop!
Terrible music, bad poetry. Blahhhhhh
Hank Williams once said that a song is a story put to music. This qualifies in spades--and a jack of hearts.
Great song...just what I needed...
fredriley wrote:
As Joe Strummer once said, "It's f*ckin' long, innit?". Does it never finish? How many verses in this blasted song? Fine poetry I'm sure, but his voice is like a short-term attack of tinnitus. 3 from the Nottingham jury for the wordsmithery alone, minus many for the singer and the sheer tedium of so many verses...
Fred, I had you down as a Guardian man. Now I'm thinking a Mirror man? (Not the Human League song of the same name....)
Clever how the rythym speeds up ever so imperceptibly as it goes--like a big ole train gathering speed as it gets up a head of steam to climb that steep grade through the mountain pass.
worldwalker wrote:
Dylan could be soo good if he could sing... 
I love comments like this. I feel badly for people who can't appreciate Dylan because they think he "can't sing". There are those of us who couldn't imagine him any other way.
if only i were older or he was younger. I managed to catch a show a couple years ago and I honestly wish I had not even gone. It nearly ruined Dylan completely for me. There has to be a time in ones life where they come to grips with the fact that they need to retire, for dylan that should have been at least 4 years ago.
uh oh... heading into hippiedom.
Well, I just love it, great song/story and no, not a bit too long. Sure makes me smile. The faster he goes the better it gets.
Call me when it finishes
Guess it really was toooo long, 'cause he's rushin' this version - the original is much, much better...
Dylan could be soo good if he could sing...
Antigone wrote:
I want to see the movie based on this story song! Directed by John Sayles. 
Sometime after this album came out I had heard there was going to be such a movie, though it never materialized. In some ways that is probably a good thing. The vision I create in my mind of this song is probably better than any that could be created on a movie screen (okay, maybe Sayles could do it justice).
Directed by John Sayles. Antigone wrote:
I want to see the movie based on this story song! Directed by John Sayles.
Directed by John Sayles.
As Joe Strummer once said, "It's f*ckin' long, innit?". Does it never finish? How many verses in this blasted song? Fine poetry I'm sure, but his voice is like a short-term attack of tinnitus. 3 from the Nottingham jury for the wordsmithery alone, minus many for the singer and the sheer tedium of so many verses...
Good god, Bob Dylan on amphetamines. I can't keep up with that backbeat.
All these years and I still can't figure out who killed Big Jim.
I want to see the movie based on this story song! Directed by John Sayles.
Directed by John Sayles. Brilliant bobby - and quite a catchy tune as well
The drilling in the wall kept up and no one seem to pay it any mind...
Jamunca wrote:
Is it a law that every Bob Dylan has to pack in 1,000 words before the chorus? What's that you say, there are no choruses? Just bad brilliant poetry?
Fixed your typo.
rcurrier wrote:
I've always wondered: Exactly why did Lily take a cabbage into town?
Rosemary took a carriage into town.......or so the story goes..and a fine story it is.
White rap. 8
rcurrier wrote:
I've always wondered: Exactly why did Lily take a cabbage into town?
In case she got hungry.
I'm a big Dylan fan but this song is just too long. I feel the same way about Joey on Desire.
I've given it a 6. Weakest song on an otherwise brilliant album.
I've always wondered: Exactly why did Lily take a cabbage into town?
How does/did Bob remember all the lyrics? I have hard time remembering a short grocery list.
Is it a law that every Bob Dylan has to pack in 1,000 words before the chorus? What's that you say, there are no choruses? Just bad poetry?
Lookit. I know the man's a legend by default, but I never knew true boredom before I heard this song.
Oh, and the song doesn't even sound over by the time it graciously fades out.
/Flame on.
kmonahan wrote:
Sweet Baby Jesus, does it never end??
I had to end it my self, turned off the radio I mean
hunthunthunt wrote:
What is it with RP and Bob Dylan fans?
There must be some conspiracy going on.
Hmmmm...
I feel the same way about Tom Petty.
Coincidence?
I don't think so...
This guy has to be THE most overrated artist of all time. And it seems RP has been on a huge Dylan kick lately. They are all sooo grating and annoying.
GODLIKE
10
Sweet Baby Jesus, does it never end??