BOB DYLAN
HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED
(Columbia CS-9189)
August 30/1965
Produced by Bob Johnston & Tom Wilson
Bob Dylan - vocal/guitar/harmonica/piano
Michael Bloomfield - guitar
Charlie McCoy - guitar/harmonica
Harvey Brooks, Harvey Goldstein, Russ Savakus - bass
Bobby Gregg, Sam Lay - drums
Paul Griffin, Frank Owens - piano/organ/keyboards
Al Kooper - guitar/piano/organ/keyboards/horn
Recorded:
June 15/1965, Columbia Studio, NY City (1)
July 29/1965, Columbia Studio, NY City (2,3)
July 30/1965, Columbia Studio, NY City (4)
Aug 2/1965, Columbia Studio, NY City (5,6,7,8)
Aug 4/1965, Columbia Studio, NY City (9)
1.
LIKE A ROLLING STONE
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Threw the bums a dime in your prime didn't you
People'd call say beware doll you're bound to fall
You thought they were all a kiddin' you
You used to laugh about everybody that was hangin' out
Now you don't talk so loud now you don't seem so proud
About havin' to be scrounging for your next meal
How does it feel how does it feel to be without a home
Like a complete unknown like a rolling stone
Oh you've gone to the finest school all right Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
Nobody has ever taught you how to live on the street
And now you find out you're gonna have to get used to it
You said you'd never compromise
With the mystery tramp but now you realize
He's not selling any alibis
As you stare into the vacuum of his eyes
And ask him do you want to make a deal
How does it feel how does it feel to be on your own
With no direction home like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone
Oh you never turned around to see the frowns on the jugglers and the clowns
When they all come down and did tricks for you
You never understood that it ain't no good
You shouldn't let other people get your kicks for you
You used to ride on the chrome horse with your diplomat
Who carried on his shoulder a Siamese cat
Ain't it hard when you discover that
He really wasn't where it's at
After he took from you everything he could steal
How does it feel how does it feel to be on your own...
Oh princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They are drinkin' thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts and things
But you'd better lift your diamond ring you'd better pawn it babe
You used to be so amused
At Napoleon in rags and the language that he used
Go to him now he calls you you can't refuse
When you got nothing you got nothing to lose
You're invisible now you got no secrets to conceal
How does it feel how does it feel to be on your own...
**********
2.
TOMBSTONE BLUES
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
The sweet pretty things are in bed now of course
The city fathers they're trying to endorse
The reincarnation of Paul Revere's horse
But the town has no need to be nervous
The ghost of Belle Starr she hands down her wits
To Jezebel the nun she violently knits
A bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits
At the head of the chamber of commerce
Mama's in the fact'ry she ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley he's looking for the food
I'm in the kitchen with the tombstone blues
The hysterical bride in the penny arcade
Screaming she moans I've just been made
Then sends out for the doctor who pulls down the shade
Says my advice is to not let the boys in
Now the medicine man comes and he shuffles inside
He walks with a swagger and he says to the bride
Stop all this weeping swallow your pride
You will not die it's not poison
Mama's in the fact'ry she ain't got no shoes...
Well John the Baptist after torturing a thief
Looks up at his hero the Commander-in-Chief
Saying tell me great hero but please make it brief
Is there a hole for me to get sick in
The Commander-in-Chief answers him while chasing a fly
Saying death to all those who would whimper and cry
And dropping a bar bell he points to the sky
Saving the sun's not yellow it's chicken
Mama's in the fact'ry she ain't got no shoes...
The king of the Philistines his soldiers to save
Put jawbones on their tombstones and flatters their graves
Puts the pied pipers in prison and fattens the slaves
Then sends them out to the jungle
Gypsy Davey with a blowtorch he burns out their camps
With his faithful slave Pedro behind him he tramps
With a fantastic collection of stamps
To win friends and influence his uncle
Mama's in the fact'ry she ain't got no shoes...
The geometry of innocence flesh on the bone
Causes Galileo's math book to get thrown
At Delilah who's sitting worthlessly alone
But the tears on her cheeks are from laughter
Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill
I would set him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B DeMille
He could die happily ever after
Mama's in the fact'ry she ain't got no shoes...
Where Ma Raney and Beethoven once unwrapped their bed roll
Tuba players now rehearse around the flagpole
And the National Bank at a profit sells road maps for the soul
To the old folks home and the college
Now I wish I could write you a melody so plain
That could hold you dear lady from going insane
That could ease you and cool you and cease the pain
Of your useless and pointless knowledge
Mama's in the fact'ry she ain't got no shoes...
**********
3.
IT TAKES A LOT TO LAUGH (IT TAKES A TRAIN TO CRY)
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
Well I ride on a mail train baby can't buy a thrill
I been up all night leanin' on the window sill
Well if I die on top of the hill
Well if I don't make it you know my baby will
Don't the moon look good mama shinin' through the trees
Don't the brakemen look good mama flaggin' down the double e's
Don't the sun look good going down over the sea
But don't my gal look fine when she's comin' after me
[ harmonica ]
Now the wintertime is coming the windows are filled with frost
I went to tell everybody but I could not get across
Well I wanna be your lover baby I don't wanna be your boss
Don't say I never warned you when your train gets lost
[ harmonica ]
**********
4.
FROM A BUICK SIX
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
I got this graveyard woman you know she keeps my kids
But my soulful mama you know she keeps me hid
She's a junkyard angel and she always gives me bread
Well if I go down dyin' you know she bound to put a blanket on my bed
Well when the pipeline gets broken and I'm lost on the river bridge
I'm all cracked up on the highway and on the water's edge
She comes down the thruway ready to sew me up with thread
Well if I go down dyin' you know she bound to put a blanket on my bed
Well she don't make me nervous she don't talk too much
She walks like Bo Diddley and she don't need no crutch
She keeps this 4-10 all loaded with lead
Well if I go down dyin' you know she bound to put a blanket on my bed
[ harmonica ]
Well you know I need a steam shovel mama to keep away the dead
I need a dump truck mama to unload my head
She brings me everything and more and just like I said
Well if I go down dyin' you know she bound to put a blanket on my bed
**********
5.
BALLAD OF A THIN MAN
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked and you say who is that man
You try so hard but you don't understand
Just what you will say when you get home
Because something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
You raise up your head and you ask is this where it is
And somebody points to you and says it's his
And you say what's mine and somebody else says where what is
And you say oh my God am I here all alone
Because something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
You hand in your ticket and you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you when he hears you speak
And says how does it feel to be such a freak
And you say impossible as he hands you a bone
And something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
You have many contacts among the lumberjacks
To get you facts when someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect anyway they already expect you
To all give a check to tax-deductible charity organizations
Oh you've been with the professors and they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of F Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read it's well known
Well something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
Well the sword swallower he comes up to you and then he kneels
He crosses himself and then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice he asks you how it feels
And he says here is your throat back thanks for the loan
And you know something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
Now you see this one-eyed midget shouting the word now
And you say for what reason and he says how
And you say what does this mean and he screams back you're a cow
Give me some milk or else go home
And you know something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
Well you walk into the room like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket and your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law against you coming around
You should be made to wear earphones
Cause something is happening here but you don't know what it is
Do you Mr Jones
**********
6.
QUEEN JANE APPROXIMATELY
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
When your mother sends back all of your invitations
And your father to your sister he explains
That you're tired of yourself and all of your creations
Won't you come see me Queen Jane won't you come see me Queen Jane
Now when all of the flower ladies want back what they have lent you
And the smell of their roses does not remain
And all of your children start to resent you
Won't you come see me Queen Jane won't you come see me Queen Jane
Now when all the clowns that you have commissioned
Have died in battle or in vain
And you're sick of all this repetition
Won't you come see me Queen Jane won't you come see me Queen Jane
Oh when all of your advisors heave their plastic
At your feet to convince you of your pain
Trying to prove that your conclusions should be more drastic
Won't you come see me Queen Jane won't you come see me Queen Jane
[ harmonica ]
Now when all of the other bandits that you turned the other cheek to
All lay down their bandanas and complain
And you want somebody you don't have to speak to
Won't you come see me Queen Jane won't you come see me Queen Jane
**********
7.
HIGHWAY 61 REVISITED
(Bob Dylan)
« © '63 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
Oh God said to Abraham kill me a son
Abe says man you must be puttin' me on
God says 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 say where do you want this killin' done
God says out on Highway 61
Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn't give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there's only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol' Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61
Well Mack the Finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red white and blue shoe strings
And a thousand telephones that don't ring
Do you know where I can get rid of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61
Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth bight
Told the first father that things weren't right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light
He says hmm you're right
Let me tell the second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61
Now the rovin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61
**********
8.
JUST LIKE TOM THUMB'S BLUES
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Special Rider Music, SESAC »
When you're lost in the rain in Juarez and it's Eastertime too
And your gravity fails and negativity don't pull you through
Don't put on any airs when you're down on Rue Morgue Avenue
They got some hungry women there and they really make a mess outta you
Now if you see Saint Annie please tell her thanks a lot
I cannot move my fingers are all in a knot
I don't have the strength to get up and take another shot
And my best friend my doctor won't even say what it is I've got
Sweet Melinda the peasants call her the goddess of gloom
She speaks good English as she invites you up into her room
And you're so kind and careful not to go to her too soon
And she takes your voice and leaves you howling at the moon
Up on Housing Project Hill it's either fortune or fame
You must pick up one or the other though neither of them are to be what they claim
If you're looking to get silly you better go back to from where you came
Because the cops don't need you and man they expect the same
Now all the authorities they just stand around and boast
How they blackmailed the Seargent-at-arms into leaving his post
And picking up Angel who just arrived here from the coast
Who looked so fine at first but left looking just like a ghost
[ harmonica ]
I started out on burgundy but soon hit the harder stuff
Everybody said they'd stand behind me when the game got rough
But the joke was on me there was nobody even there to bluff
I'm goin' back to New York City I do believe I've had enough
**********
9.
DESOLATION ROW
(Bob Dylan)
« © '65 Dwarf Music, SESAC / Special Rider Music, SESAC »
They're selling postcards of the hanging they're painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors the circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner they've got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker the other is in his pants
And the riot squad they're restless they need somewhere to go
As lady and I look out tonight from Desolation Row
Cinderella she seems so easy it takes one to know one she smiles
And puts her hands in her back pockets Bette Davis style
And in comes Romeo he's moaning you belong to me I believe
And someone says you're in the wrong place my friend you'd better leave
And the only sound that's left after the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up on Desolation Row
Now the moon is almost hidden the stars are beginning to hide
The fortune telling lady has even taken all her things inside
All except for Cain and Abel and the hunchback of Notre Dame
Everybody is making love or else expecting rain
And the good Samaritan he's dressing he's getting ready for the show
He's going to the carnival tonight on Desolation Row
Now Ophelia she's neath the window for her I feel so afraid
On her twenty second birthday she already is an old maid
To her death is quite romantic she wears an iron vest
Her profession's her religion her sin is her lifelessness
And though her eyes are fixed upon Noah's great rainbow
She spends her time peeking into Desolation Row
Einstein disguised as Robin Hood with his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago with his friend a jealous monk
Now he looked so immaculately frightful as he bummed a cigarette
Then he went off sniffing drainpipes and reciting the alphabet
You would not think to look at him but he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin on Desolation Row
Dr Filth he keeps his world inside of a leather cup
But all his sexless patients they are trying to blow it up
Now his nurse some local loser she's in charge of the cyanide hole
And she also keeps the cards that read have mercy on his soul
They all play on the penny whistles you can hear them blow
If you lean your head out far enough from Desolation Row
Across the street they've nailed the curtains they're getting ready for the feast
The Phantom of the Opera a perfect image of a priest
They're spoonfeeding Casanova to get him to feel more assured
Then they'll kill him with self-confidence after poisoning him with words
And the Phantom's shouting to skinny girls get outta here if you don't know
Casanova is just being punished for going to Desolation Row
Now at midnight all the agents and the superhuman crew
Come out and round up everyone that knows more than they do
Then they bring them to the fact'ry where the heart-attack machine
Is strapped across their shoulders and then the kerosene
Is brought down from the castles by insurance men who go
Check to see that nobody is escaping to Desolation Row
Praise be to Nero's Neptune the Titanic sails at dawn
And everybody's shouting which side are you on
And Ezra Pound and TS Eliot fighting in the captain's tower
While calypso singers laugh at them and fishermen hold flowers
Between the windows of the sea where lovely mermaids flow
And nobody has to think too much about Desolation Row
[ harmonica ]
Yes I received your letter yesterday about the time the door knob broke
When you asked how I was doing was that some kind of joke
All these people that you mention yes I know them they're quite lame
I had to rearrange their faces and give them all another name
Right now I can't read too good don't send me no more letters no
Not unless you mail them from Desolation Row
[ harmonica ]
**********