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Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon there is no sense in trying
Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece, the hollow horn
Plays wasted words, proves to warn
That he not busy being born is busy dying
Temptation's page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover that you'd just be one more person crying
So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma
I'm only sighing
As some warn victory, some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don't hate nothing at all, except hatred
Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Make everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
It's easy to see without looking too far that not much is really sacred
While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked
And though the rules of the road have been lodged
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
And it's alright, Ma
I can make it
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
You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear that somebody thinks they really found you
A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit
To satisfy, insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget
That it is not he or she or them or it that you belong to
But though the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma
To live up to
Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares, propaganda, all is phony
While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer's pride, security
It blows their minds most bitterly
For them that think death's honesty
Won't fall upon them naturally, life sometimes must get lonely
My eyes collide head-on with stuffed
Graveyards, false goals, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say, "Okay, I've had enough, what else can you show me?"
And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma
It's life, and life only
It's cold here in the Midwest and we got the "after Christmas blues".
So, we need some cheerful music.
It's life...and life only.
Neil Young should not be singing on anything, but that's a topic for a different song comment section.
When?
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwn.
No, you just have to have good taste.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwn.
Droning whine.
As can you! Would HIGHLY prefer BD to YOUR whining.
Droning whine.
Except perhaps, Billie Eilish!! Not to compare the 2, by ANY stretch of the imagination but, that young artist certainly has quite the skill at putting together some serious lyrics!!
Droning whine.
Same can be said for the "whining" posts. Rather enjoy this.
Droning whine.
Ditto you.
You should let Bob know of your dislike for his music. I'm sure he will take it under consideration, along with tweets, polling data, user groups, and market research.
sfyi2001 wrote:

The 'immortal Robert Zimmerman' !
All the accolades in the world bestowed upon this piece don't make it a song,
Yay so the words are meaningful, call it a poem and let's hear some music.
EXCRUCIATING


The 'immortal Robert Zimmerman' !
All the accolades in the world bestowed upon this piece don't make it a song,
Yay so the words are meaningful, call it a poem and let's hear some music.
EXCRUCIATING

BOO HISS, and the video is from a different SONG of BD's so there (hehehe)

The 'immortal Robert Zimmerman' !
All the accolades in the world bestowed upon this piece don't make it a song,
Yay so the words are meaningful, call it a poem and let's hear some music.
EXCRUCIATING

I would advise anyone who was born after the late 60's/early 70's to heed his call. Look at your world and consider your path forward.
This is exactly why I tell folks to listen to Bob's WORDS, or at the very least, READ them, before claiming it 'sucks.' And with all the iterations of Bob, including his 'Christian' phase, there's something to be heeded, like looking out for a slow train coming.....Long Live BD and RP!!
I occasionally move my eating to a 10 as well. Meanwhile, my rating is still an 8. It's alright, Ma, I'm only drinking.
Find song lyrics here: https://www.lyricsfreak.com/
Saying, "Death to all those who would whimper and cry"
And, dropping a barbell, he points to the sky
Saying, "The sun's not yellow, it's chicken"
Yeah. Nobel prize.
The sermon has started.
Also well put. Where do you see lyrics like this today?
I don't think BD really cares one way or the other, although I believe the WORDS he wrote ARE worthy of the grand prize he was awarded.
I wanted to copy & paste a few bits from this tune, and really had a hard time finding ONLY a few because the entire song resonates so well - then (summer of 1964!!) and now (fall of 2018) - so I'll let you investigate further...starting with the following passage from the Wiki page for this song (and I went 9→10 on this one today...and Long Live RP!!)
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan and first released on his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. It was written in the summer of 1964, first performed live on October 10, 1964, and recorded on January 15, 1965. Described by Dylan biographer Howard Sounes as a "grim masterpiece," the song features some of Dylan's most memorable lyrical images. Among the well-known lines sung in the song are "He not busy being born is busy dying," "Money doesn't talk, it swears," "Although the masters make the rules, for the wisemen and the fools" and "But even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked." The lyrics express Dylan's anger at what he sees as the hypocrisy, commercialism, consumerism, and war mentality inherent in contemporary American culture. Dylan's preoccupations in the lyrics, nevertheless, extend beyond the socio-political, expressing existential concerns, touching on urgent matters of personal experience.
Well said. He is brilliant and deserved the award.
Droning whine.
It is - sung by Roger McGuinn :)
ahhh, thank you!!
It is - sung by Roger McGuinn :)
I don't think BD really cares one way or the other, although I believe the WORDS he wrote ARE worthy of the grand prize he was awarded.
I wanted to copy & paste a few bits from this tune, and really had a hard time finding ONLY a few because the entire song resonates so well - then (summer of 1964!!) and now (fall of 2018) - so I'll let you investigate further...starting with the following passage from the Wiki page for this song (and I went 9→10 on this one today...and Long Live RP!!)
It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" is a song written and performed by Bob Dylan and first released on his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. It was written in the summer of 1964, first performed live on October 10, 1964, and recorded on January 15, 1965. Described by Dylan biographer Howard Sounes as a "grim masterpiece," the song features some of Dylan's most memorable lyrical images. Among the well-known lines sung in the song are "He not busy being born is busy dying," "Money doesn't talk, it swears," "Although the masters make the rules, for the wisemen and the fools" and "But even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked." The lyrics express Dylan's anger at what he sees as the hypocrisy, commercialism, consumerism, and war mentality inherent in contemporary American culture. Dylan's preoccupations in the lyrics, nevertheless, extend beyond the socio-political, expressing existential concerns, touching on urgent matters of personal experience.
I think Twain said something similar (obviously not about BD) - something along the lines of "to the 1/2 wit, he and the 3/2 wit are equal" - my memory of this is from 11th grade, although a lot of quotes are attached to Twain that he NEVER said...so maybe that's the story here too....
And I came here to post another "Happy 77th BD to BD!!" Long Live RP!!
You are dedefinite not alone. This song is interminable and Dylan was a terrible musician.
Everybody in my hotel room agrees with you, On_The_Beach... this song is a masterpiece... hope life is grand for you right now! Love Radio Paradise!
this was horrible then
there are both pretty bad in any era
Shut up Bob, yer shite.
This song illustrates why Dylan received a Nobel prize.


Maybe the site has a 533-word limit.
GOOD! We need more of it!
Bad things happen when you listen to this song:
Nah, George Clooney was listening to horses when his ride blew up.
(Michael Clayton)
I would advise anyone who was born after the late 60's/early 70's to heed his call. Look at your world and consider your path forward.
More than one, I think. Needs remediation.
OK, I will address this song.
Good morning, Song.
You bore me.
Goodbye.
1) How could anyone like this whiny crap?
2) Children, you don't understand! I was there when this came out and you weren't and you had to be there and I'm much smarter than you because I never got over the 60's.
3) I met Bob Dylan once at an exclusive party with my producer and drummer. Such a delightful man.
4) Does this song have an ending?
5) His poetry is eternal and universal. No wonder he won the Nobel Prize! (conveniently forgetting that his followers dumped him in droves with much criticism when he went through his Born Again Christian phase).
he's trying to drag us into his hole
Yes, indeed, hayduke2... well said... as for this song, everybody in my hotel room thinks it is great poetry with a melody... we love it... love Radio Paradise...
Uh, um, ah . . . brilliant.

he's trying to drag us into his hole
There was a cover version in the film "Easy Rider" - I think it was by some iteration of The Byrds or maybe just Roger McGuinn on his own. I haven't seen the movie in years.
In the movie, it's a McGuinn solo cover version, accompanied by Gene Parsons on harmonica.
According to Wiki, Peter Fonda wanted to use the orig. version but he ultimately couldn't get the rights to it.
Bad things happen when you listen to this song:
Amen to that brother.....................
There was a cover version in the film "Easy Rider" - I think it was by some iteration of The Byrds or maybe just Roger McGuinn on his own. I haven't seen the movie in years.
Bad things happen when you listen to this song:

Bob Dylan Thanks Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash In Heartfelt Acceptance Speech Read Whole Story
I'm with you on that. I hit the lyrics link too and remembered what it was like to really listen to lyrics and how people like Dylan and Paul Simon got me interested in poetry and literature. My soul has been enriched ever since.
Thanks, RP!
TFF: I would place this post right next to jhorton's "Gwyneth Paltrow dialogue" posted on Death Cab's "I Will Possess Your Heart" as a tie for First Place in the Funniest Post Ever Contest!

I am so tired of this lame argument. Yes, he's not a good singer. Still a great song. Pavarotti was a GREAT singer. But I sure wouldn't want to hear this sung by him.
Are you kidding? I'd love to hear Pavarotti sing this song. I'd probably laugh until I fell out of my chair.
I am so tired of this lame argument. Yes, he's not a good singer. Still a great song. Pavarotti was a GREAT singer. But I sure wouldn't want to hear this sung by him.
AMEN!

And Baby_M, the version of the lyrics you posted had me busting a gut! True genius CAN be parodied. Indeed, perhaps a song that's so classic and iconic should be parodied - as a genuflection of sorts, or to get the attention of naysayers so they can consider it from a different perspective.
I am so tired of this lame argument. Yes, he's not a good singer. Still a great song. Pavarotti was a GREAT singer. But I sure wouldn't want to hear this sung by him.
Oh, thank God . . . it just ended.
this song could be considered proof of the exchange.
Too bad he didn't sell his harmonica instead.
this song could be considered proof of the exchange.
Yo Yo Yo
tru dat
I ate this all up back in the day as well as now
can't wait to hear the torrent of whining from those that can't appreciate this alliterative gem (song is about them)

great poetry with a melody... love it...
with words. Sadly, it is now "cool" to hate Dylan when much of what he has to say is applicable
to the present. War, hate, corruption in government, prejudice, apathy, burned in love, all social commentary, and an invitation to change our "mired in the mud" thinking and actions. But why trouble your small minds with all of that when you can sit in your armchair watching the world go by and attempt to chop down a giant ?
"And I just said good luck. " ——— Dylan
I doubt anyone hates Dylan. For me, its the instrumental and vocals that make a song. This is were Dylan fails miserably to the point most, not all, of his songs are unlistenable. Great lyrics are always appreciated, but its not why I listen to a song. If you are into lyrics then I guess you can make a case for him. I just don't see Dylan as a prophet as many do.

what a way to start the day
Roger McGuinn's version of this rocks, too.
I've just never had the same appreciation for the spoken word, poetry, rap, etc that others have. I need more melody, less percussion (vocal or otherwise).
that's a funny way of sayin Blues.
with words. Sadly, it is now "cool" to hate Dylan when much of what he has to say is applicable
to the present. War, hate, corruption in government, prejudice, apathy, burned in love, all social commentary, and an invitation to change our "mired in the mud" thinking and actions. But why trouble your small minds with all of that when you can sit in your armchair watching the world go by and attempt to chop down a giant ?
"And I just said good luck. " ——— Dylan
It has never been cool to hate. Where did you get that idea?

This would be great Dylan.

And the lyrics are phenomenal.
Nicely put. This is Dylan at the top of his game and as far as his voice goes, this is one of his many recordings that you could not imagine anyone else covering - unless they could sing like Dylan. What so many Dylan detractors fail to realize is that with Dylan and others who write and sing their own lyrics and music, he wrote to suit his voice - like it or not.

This would be great Dylan.
<....>
And the lyrics are phenomenal.