by SK PITMAN

Song to Woody - Bob Dylan (1962)

Only 2 originals graced Bob’s first album. Enjoy “Song to Woody”, one of these historic originals, as Bob exhibits some youthful hero-worship.

Hey, hey Woody Guthrie, I wrote you a song
‘Bout a funny ol’ world that’s a-comin’ along.
Seems sick an’ it’s hungry, it’s tired an’ it’s torn,
It looks like it’s a-dyin’ an’ it’s hardly been born.

Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right - The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)

So, Bob wasn’t exactly a nice guy in his youth. Proof? See the verbal wallop disguised as an easygoing tune.

I’m walkin’ down that long, lonesome road, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
But goodbye’s too good a word, gal
So I’ll just say fare thee well
I ain’t sayin’ you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don’t mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right

Oxford Town - The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan (1963)

One of several Dylan pieces exposing the folly of racial inequality.

He went down to Oxford Town
Guns and clubs followed him down
All because his face was brown
Better get away from Oxford Town

It Ain’t Me Babe - Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964)

On my list for best anti-love song, this ranks pretty darn high.

Go lightly from the ledge, babe,
Go lightly on the ground.
I’m not the one you want, babe,
I will only let you down.
You say you’re lookin’ for someone
Who will promise never to part,
Someone to close his eyes for you,
Someone to close his heart,
Someone who will die for you an’ more,
But it ain’t me, babe,
No, no, no, it ain’t me, babe,
It ain’t me you’re lookin’ for, babe.

The Times They Are A Changin’ - The Times They Are A Changin’ (1964)

This Dylan classic embodies the decade.

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin’.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’.

It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) - Bringing It All Back Home (1965)

Bob indicts nearly everyone during this sprawling number.

Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you’re the one
That can do what’s never been done
That can win what’s never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.

Highway 61 Revisited - Highway 61 Revisited (1965)

This rollicking tune comes from one of Dylan’s best known records. Also, I like the fact that I drove on Highway 61 today.

Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61.”

Visions Of Johanna - Blonde on Blonde (1966)

Not so high on the lyrical content here – I guess I just like the tune mostly.

Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously
He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously
And when bringing her name up
He speaks of a farewell kiss to me
He’s sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all
Muttering small talk at the wall while I’m in the hall
How can I explain?
Oh, it’s so hard to get on
And these visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn

All Along The Watchtower - John Wesley Harding (1968)

Perhaps some of the most recognizable opening lines to any song.

“There must be some way out of here,” said the joker to the thief,
“There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief.
Businessmen, they drink my wine, plowmen dig my earth,
None of them along the line know what any of it is worth.”

“No reason to get excited,” the thief, he kindly spoke,
“There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke.
But you and I, we’ve been through that, and this is not our fate,
So let us not talk falsely now, the hour is getting late.

I Through It All Away – Nashville Skyline (1969)

Contrasting this song with “It Ain’t Me Babe” offers us a glimpse into how Dylan may have changed over the decade.

I once held her in my arms,
She said she would always stay.
But I was cruel,
I treated her like a fool,
I threw it all away.

So if you find someone that gives you all of her love,
Take it to your heart, don’t let it stray,
For one thing that’s certain,
You will surely be a-hurtin’,
If you throw it all away.

Well, that’s all for now. If you don’t already have them, pick up a few of these tracks on iTunes, and look forward to the new release which you’ll see reviewed shortly on ITH.

Lyrics copied from bobdylan.com. Please visit this site to view complete lyrics.

SK Pitman is a contributing writer for Into the Hill and lives in Iowa.

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