By Tony Attwood
The lyrics to Bob’s new song are being written up here.
In my edition there are currently many gaps, and undoubtedly many errors – if you can correct any please do write in.
But Denise is now working on a complete set which makes more sense. So I am posting her copy below first of all, but also leaving my original attempt up for anyone working from that.
Corrections will then be entered onto my copy below until we get as far as we can, or the official site gives us an official set of lyrics. Please indicate which verse you are referring to. I am having trouble distinguishing where the verse breaks are at the moment but please use my numbering for guidance – we can sort the breaks out later.
Also please note, I do know I am useless at transcription and am normally helped by Larry and others, but since the song has been released, and I was awake (being in the UK) I thought I would start this off but make this a collective effort, leaving the experts in North America to join in as daylight breaks.
The biggest problem comes with the very long final section with all its cultural references. I’m ok with some of them but of course not all (being English and not American) so will need a lot of help.
If you listen to the official version, and leave it running, it goes onto Desolation Row, which reinforces the message even more. On having heard it only a couple of times, it sounds to me like Desolation Row for the 21st century, or maybe Desolation Row by an old man looking back at the past, and bemoaning the present.
That final long section of cultural references is utterly, utterly mind-blowing, and I am sorry I am not doing a very good job with it. Please help.
Final note: these lyrics are being updated time and time again, so if reading this page for a while it is worth pressing F5 to refresh the page, it might have been updated. It is 0946GMT and I’m going to take a short break, but will have another bash at the task shortly.
Tony 27 March 2020.
So here is Denise’s version
Denise promises the rest will follow. Below is my earlier version…
1: It was a dark day in Dallas November 63 The day of haunted infamy President Kennedy was a-riding high Good day to be living and a good day to die He lept to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb He said, "Wait a minute boys, you know who I am?" "Course we do we know who you are," Then they blew off his head why he was still in the car. 2: Shot down like a dog in the broad daylight It was a matter of time and the time it was right You've got unpaid debts, we've come to collect We're going to kill you with hatred there is no escape We'll mock you and shun you and ??? in your face We've already got someone here to take your place 3: The day they dug out the grave of the king Found though they were watching no one found a thing It happened so quick so quick by surprise Right there in front of everyone's eyes Biggest magic trick ever under the sun Perfectly executed skillfully done Wolfman oh Wolfman oh Wolfman howl Rub a dub dub its a murder most foul 4: ? The Beatles are coming they're going to hold your hand Slide down the bannister ? Ferry across the Mersey and go with the flow ? coming all dressed in rags He's got the pieces in all of the bags I'm going to Woodstock its the Acquarian age ? Put your hand out the window let to good times roll There's a party going on behind that blessed door 5: Pack up the bricks, pour us a beer Don't say Dallas ? you Mr President Put your foot in the tank and step on the gas Try to make it to the triple underpass Black faced singer white faced smile Better not show your faces after the sun goes down 6/7: I bet the red light district make a ? Living in a nightmare what else do you need? ? put your money in your shoes Don't ask what your country can do for you ? money to burn Nearly time to make a left hand turn Born down to the crossroads got a friend of mine The place where the faithful can ? to die Shoot em while they run boy shoot em while you can See if you can shoot the invisible man Goodby Charlie goodbye uncle Sam ? What did you keep where did it go? ? Shut your mouth ? Busienss is business and its a murder most foul 8: ? can you hear me on the ? I'm riding along in a ? limousine Riding in the back seat next to my wife Going straight on into the afterlife I'm leaning to the left, got my head in the dust Oh Lord I've been ? into some kind of trap We're asked for a quarter and a quarter do we give We're right down the street from the street where you live ? and they took out his brains What more can they do they do they piled on the pain But his soul was not there where it was supposed to be at For the last fifty years they've been searching for that Freedom oh freedom, freedom ? I hate to tell you this but only dead men are free Mr Lonesome tell me no lies Throw the gun in the gutter walk on by Wake up little Suzie let's go for a drive Cross the Trinity River and keep hope alive Turn the radio on don't touch the dial ? hospital only six more miles You got the dizzy Miss Lizzy you filled him with lead That magic bullet of yours has gone to my head I'm just a ? Never shot anyone from the front or behind Got blood in my eyes got blood in my ears I'm never going to make it through to the frontier 9: ? before Seen it 33 times maybe more ? clean ? Ugliest thing that you ever have seen He killed him once and he killed him twice Killed him like a human sacrifice It was easy to kill him someone said to me son The age of the anti-christ has just already begun Airforce 1 coming in through the gate ? two thirty eight Let me know when you decide to throw in the towel It is was it is and its murder most foul. 10: "What's new pussy cat?" "what'd I say?" ? fool of a nation ? torn away And its beginning to go into a slow decay ? 36 hours til judgement day Wolfman Jack he's speaking in tongues He's going on and on at the top of his lungs Play me a song Mr Wolfman Jack Play it for me in my long Cadillac Play me that "Only the good die young" Take me to the place Tom Dooly was on Play St James Infirmary in the court of King James If you want to remember you'd better write down the names Play the ? too play the ? old time Play it for the man with the telepathic mind Play John lee Hooker, play "Scratch my back" Play it for that strip club owner named Jack Good ? Slim ? Go down slow Play it for me and for Marilyn Monroe 11: Play it please, "Don't let me be misunderstood" Play it for the first lady she aint feeling that good. Lay down Henry lay ? ? go by Play it for Carl ? too Looking far far away down Yellow Avenue Play a tragedy play twlight time Take me back to Tulsa the scene of the crime Play one and another one bites the dust Play the old ?in God we trust Ride the pink horse down that Long Lonesome Road ? explode Play Mystery Train Mr Mystery The man who fell down like a rootless king Play it for the river Play it for the paster ? Play Oscar Peterson play Sam Again? Play Blue Skies play Dickey Betts (Note 1) Play Art Pepper, Thelonias Monk Charlie Parker, All that junk All that joke and all that jazz Play something for the Birdman of Alcatraz Play Buster Keaton play Harry Lloyd ? Play the numbers play the odds Play "Cry me a river" for the lost of the Gods Play number nine play number six Play it for ? and Stevie Nicks Play Nat King Cole play Nature Boy Play God in a ? for Harry Lloyd Play in Heaven onenight and one night in sin Just ? that I'm interested in Play ? merchants of death Play Standard by starlight for Lady Macbeth "Dont worry Mr President helps on the way Your brothers are coming they'll be hell to pay" "Brothers what brothers? What's this about hell?" ? Tell them we're waiting we're coming we'll get there as well Love to? plane touched down But it never get that ? home to the ground Was a hard act to follow ? They killed him on the alter of the ? Play "Misty" for me and that old ? Play Anything goes? Play "Lonely are the young" and "Lonely are the brave" ? Play Jelly Roll Morton play ? PlaY Deep in the dream ? Play Moonlight Sonata in F sharp And the Keys in the highway for the king of the harp ? Play "Darkness and Death will come where it comes" Play Love me or Leave Me by the great Kus Kahn? Play the Blood Stained ? play the ? ---------------------------------------------------------- Note 1: Dicky Betts Thanks to Aditya Srinath
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Tony,
I’m working on it but I have to tell you that you are the fastest gun in the west to get this much already! Don’t need to post this! nissi
One bit at a time:
‘Twas a dark day in Dallas, November 63
A day that will live on in infamy
President Kennedy was a-riding high
Good day to be living, and a good day to die
He led to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb
He say, “Wait a minute boys, , you know who I am?”
“Of course we do, we know who you are”
Then they blew off his head while he was still in the car
*He lept to …
Shot down like a dog in broad daylight
It was a matter of time, and the timing was right
You got unpaid debts, We’re coming to collect
We’re gonna to kill you with hatred, without any respect
We’ll mock you, and shock you, and grin in your face
We’ve already got someone here to take your place
The day they blew out the brains of the king
Thousands were watching, no one saw a thing
*gonna kill you
It happened so quick, and so quick by surprise
Right there in front of everyone’s eyes
Greatest magic trick ever under the sun
Perfectly executed, skillfully done
Wolf Man, O Wolf Man, O Wolf Man, howl
Rub-a-dub, it’s a muder most fowl
Hush, little children, you’ll understand
The Beatles are coming, they’re going to hold your hand
* most foul
Slide down the bannister, go get your coat
Ferry across the Mersey, go for the throat
There’s three bums coming, all dressed in rags
I’m going to Woodstock, it’s the Aquarian Age
Then I’ll go command my ship near the stage
Put you head out the window, let the good times roll
There’s a party going on behind the blessed knoll
Stack up the bricks, pour the cement
twas a dark day in dallas, november ’63
the day that would live on in infamy
president kennedy was a-ridin’ high
good day to be livin and a good day to die
being led to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb
he say wait a minute boys you know who i am
of course we do, we know who you are
then they blew off his head while he was still in the car
shot down like a dog in broad daylight
was a matter of time and the timing was right
you got unpaid debts we’ve come to collect
we gonna kill you with hatred, without any respect
we’ll mock you and shock you and we’ll put it in your face
we’ve already got someone here to take your place
the day they blew out the brains of the king
thousands were watching, no one saw a thing
it happened so quick and so quick by surprise
right there in front of everyone’s eyes
greatest magic trick ever under the sun
perfectly executed, skillfully done
wolf man oh wolf man oh wolf man howl
rub-a-dub-dub it’s a murder most fowl
hush little children you’ll understand
the beatles are comin, they’re gonna hold your hand
slide down the banister, go get your coat
ferry across the mersey and go for the throat
there’s three bums comin all dressed in rags
pick up the pieces and lower the flags
i’m goin to woodstock, it’s the aquarian age
then i’ll go to altamont and sit near the stage
put your head out the window, let the good times roll
there’s a party goin on behind the grassy knoll
stack up the bricks, pour the cement
don’t say dallas don’t love you, mr president
put your foot in the tank and step on the gas
try to make it to the triple underpass
blackface singer white face clown
better not show your faces after the sun goes down
up in the red light district like a cop on the beat
livin in a nightmare on elm street
when you’re down in deep ellum put your money in your shoe
don’t ask what your country can do for you
cash on the barrelhead, money to burn
at dealey plaza, make a lefthand turn
i’m goin down the crossroads, gonna flag a ride
the place where faith, hope, and charity died
shoot him while he runs boy, shoot him while you can
see if you can shoot the invisible man
goodbye charlie, goodbye uncle sam
frankly, miss scarlett, i don’t give a damn
what is the truth? where did it go?
ask oswald and ruby, they oughta know
shut your mouth said the wise old owl
business is business, and it’s murder most foul
tommy can you hear me on the acid queen?
i’m ridin in a long black lincoln limousine
ridin in the backseat next to my wife
headin straight on into the afterlife
i’m leanin to the left got my head in her lap
oh lord i’ve been led into some kind of a trap
well we ask no quarter, no quarter do we give
we’re right down the street from the street where you live
they mutilated his body and they took out his brain
what more could they do? they piled on the pain
but his soul was not there, where it was supposed to be at
for the last 50 years they’ve been searching for that
freedom oh freedom, freedom over need
i hate to tell ya mister but only dead men are free
send me some loving, tell me no lie
throw the gun in the gutter and walk on by
wake up little suzie let’s go for a drive
cross the trinity river let’s keep open eyed
turn the radio on, don’t touch the dials
heartland hospital only six more miles
you got me dizzy ms lizzy you fill me with lead
that magic bullet of yours is goin on ahead
i’m just a patsy like patsy cline
never shot anyone from in front or behind
got blood in my eye, got blood in my ear
i’m never gonna make it to the new frontier
zapruder’s film i seen the night before
seen it 33 times, maybe more
it’s vile and deceitful, it’s cruel and it’s mean
ugliest thing that you ever have seen
they killed him once and they killed him twice
killed him like a human sacrifice
the day that they killed him someone said to me, son
the age of the antichrist has just only begun
air force one comin in through the gate
johnson sworn in at 2:38
lemme know when you decide to throw in the towel
it is what it is, and it’s murder most foul
what’s new pussycat, what’d i say?
i said the soul of a nation been torn away
and it’s beginning to go into a slow decay
and that it’s 36 hours past judgement day
wolfman jack he’s speakin in tongues
he’s going on and on at the top of his lungs
play me a song, mr wolfman jack
play it for me in my long cadillac
play me that only the good die young
take me to the place tom dooley was hung
the saint james infirmary in the court of king james
if you want to remember you better write down the names
play etta james too, play the i’d rather go blind
play it for the man with a telepathic mind
play john lee hooker, play scratch my back
play it for that strip club owner named jack
guitar slim goin down slow
play it for me and for marilyn monroe
play please don’t let me be misunderstood
play it for the first lady she ain’t feelin too good
play don henley, play glenn frey
take it to the limit and lettin’ it go by
play it for carl wilson too
lookin far far away at down gower avenue
play tragedy, play twilight time
take me back to tulsa to the scene of the crime
play another one and another one bites the dust
play the old rugged cross and in god we trust
ride the pink horse down that long lonesome road
stand there and wait for his head to explode
play mystery train for mr mystery
the man who fell down dead like a rootless tree
play it for the reverend, play it for the pastor
play it for the dog that got no master
play oscar peterson, play stan getz
play blue sky, play dicky bettes
play art pepper, thelonious monk
charlie parker and all that junk
all that junk and all that jazz
play somethin for the birdman of alcatraz
play buster keaton, play harold lloyd
play bugsy segal, play pretty boy floyd
play the numbers, play the odds
play cry me a river for the lord of the gods
play number nine play number six
play it for lindsey and stevie knicks
play nat king cole, play nature boy
play down in the boondocks for terry malloy
play it happened one night and one night of sin
there’s 12 million souls that are listenin in
play merchant of venice play merchants of death
play stella by starlight from lady macbeth
don’t worry mr president, hope’s on the way
your brothers are comin’, there’ll be hell to pay
brothers, what brothers?
what’s this about hell?
tell em we’re waiting, keep coming, we’ll get them as well
love field is where his plane touched down
but it never did get back up off the ground
was a hard act to follow, second to none
they killed him on the altar of the rising sun
play misty for me and that old devil moon
play anything goes and memphis in june
play lonely at the top and lonely are the brave
play it for houdini spinnin around in his grave
play jelly roll morton, play lucille
play deep in a dream and play driving wheel
play moonlight sonata in f#
and the key to the highway but the king of the heart
play marching through georgia and dumbarton’s drums
play darkness and death will come when it comes
play love me or leave me by the great bud powell
play the bloodstained banner, play murder most foul
☆ … little childern, you’re gonna stand
**… and go for the throat
Could well be be ‘put in your face’ and ‘behind the blessed door’l- the ship referring to PT 109 –
A valiant effort by one and all, I’d say, but I’m sure we’re all off here and there…
What d’ ya say we wait for the Official lyrics…they’re sure to be right on! (lol)
ie, Indeed it’s “Then I’m going to Altamont, and sit near the stage” in reference to the killing at a Rolling Stones concert
*Then I’ll go to…
Hamlet Act I, sc 5:
“Murder most foul as in the best it is”
Thanks for all. You know, if it’s difficult to understand for a “dylan born” English, you imagine for a French !
Just one thing : look at the title of the song on the home page …
Twas a dark day in Dallas, November ’63
A day that will live on in infamy
President Kennedy was a-ridin’ high
Good day to be livin’ and a good day to die
Being led to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb
He said, “Wait a minute, boys, you know who I am?”
“Of course we do. We know who you are.”
Then they blew off his head while he was still in the car
Shot down like a dog in broad daylight
Was a matter of timing and the timing was right
You got unpaid debts; we’ve come to collect
We’re gonna kill you with hatred; without any respect
We’ll mock you and shock you and we’ll put it in your face
We’ve already got someone here to take your place
The day they blew out the brains of the king
Thousands were watching; no one saw a thing
It happened so quickly, so quick, by surprise
Right there in front of everyone’s eyes
Greatest magic trick ever under the sun
Perfectly executed, skillfully done
Wolfman, oh wolfman, oh wolfman howl
Rub-a-dub-dub, it’s a murder most foul
Hush, little children. You’ll understand
The Beatles are comin’; they’re gonna hold your hand
Slide down the banister, go get your coat
Ferry ‘cross the Mersey and go for the throat
There’s three bums comin’ all dressed in rags
Pick up the pieces and lower the flags
I’m going to Woodstock; it’s the Aquarian Age
Then I’ll go to Altamont and sit near the stage
Put your head out the window; let the good times roll
There’s a party going on behind the Grassy Knoll
Stack up the bricks, pour the cement
Don’t say Dallas don’t love you, Mr. President
Put your foot in the tank and step on the gas
Try to make it to the triple underpass
Blackface singer, whiteface clown
Better not show your faces after the sun goes down
Up in the red light district, they’ve got cop on the beat
Living in a nightmare on Elm Street
When you’re down in Deep Ellum, put your money in your shoe
Don’t ask what your country can do for you
Cash on the ballot, money to burn
Dealey Plaza, make left-hand turn
I’m going down to the crossroads; gonna flag a ride
The place where faith, hope, and charity died
Shoot him while he runs, boy. Shoot him while you can
See if you can shoot the invisible man
Goodbye, Charlie. Goodbye, Uncle Sam
Frankly, Miss Scarlett, I don’t give a damn
What is the truth, and where did it go?
Ask Oswald and Ruby; they oughta know
“Shut your mouth,” said the wise old owl
Business is business, and it’s a murder most foul
Tommy, can you hear me? I’m the Acid Queen
I’m riding in a long, black limousine
Riding in the backseat next to my wife
Heading straight on in to the afterlife
I’m leaning to the left; got my head in her lap
Hold on, I’ve been led into some kind of a trap
Where we ask no quarter, and no quarter do we give
We’re right down the street from the street where you live
They mutilated his body, and they took out his brain
What more could they do? They piled on the pain
But his soul’s not there where it was supposed to be at
For the last fifty years they’ve been searchin’ for that
Freedom, oh freedom. Freedom cover me
I hate to tell you, mister, but only dead men are free
Send me some lovin’; tell me no lies
Throw the gun in the gutter and walk on by
Wake up, little Susie; let’s go for a drive
Cross the Trinity River; let’s keep hope alive
Turn the radio on; don’t touch the dials
Parkland hospital, only six more miles
You got me dizzy, Miss Lizzy. You filled me with lead
That magic bullet of yours has gone to my head
I’m just a patsy like Patsy Cline
Never shot anyone from in front or behind
I’ve blood in my eye, got blood in my ear
I’m never gonna make it to the new frontier
Zapruder’s film I seen night before
Seen it 33 times, maybe more
It’s vile and deceitful. It’s cruel and it’s mean
Ugliest thing that you ever have seen
They killed him once and they killed him twice
Killed him like a human sacrifice
The day that they killed him, someone said to me, “Son
The age of the Antichrist has only begun.”
Air Force One coming in through the gate
Johnson sworn in at 2:38
Let me know when you decide to thrown in the towel
It is what it is, and it’s murder most foulWhat’s new, pussycat? What’d I say?
I said the soul of a nation been torn away
And it’s beginning to go into a slow decay
And that it’s 36 hours past Judgment Day
Wolfman Jack, speaking in tongues
He’s going on and on at the top of his lungs
Play me a song, Mr. Wolfman Jack
Play it for me in my long Cadillac
Play me that “Only the Good Die Young”
Take me to the place Tom Dooley was hung
Play St. James Infirmary and the Court of King James
If you want to remember, you better write down the names
Play Etta James, too. Play “I’d Rather Go Blind”
Play it for the man with the telepathic mind
Play John Lee Hooker. Play “Scratch My Back.”
Play it for that strip club owner named Jack
Guitar Slim going down slow
Play it for me and for Marilyn Monroe
Play “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
Play it for the First Lady, she ain’t feeling any good
Play Don Henley, play Glenn Frey
Take it to the limit and let it go by
Play it for Karl Wirsum, too
Looking far, far away at Down Gallow Avenue
Play tragedy, play “Twilight Time”
Take me back to Tulsa to the scene of the crime
Play another one and “Another One Bites the Dust”
Play “The Old Rugged Cross” and “In God We Trust”
Ride the pink horse down the long, lonesome road
Stand there and wait for his head to explode
Play “Mystery Train” for Mr. Mystery
The man who fell down dead like a rootless tree
Play it for the Reverend; play it for the Pastor
Play it for the dog that got no master
Play Oscar Peterson. Play Stan Getz
Play “Blue Sky”; play Dickey Betts
Play Art Pepper, Thelonious Monk
Charlie Parker and all that junk
All that junk and “All That Jazz”
Play something for the Birdman of Alcatraz
Play Buster Keaton, play Harold Lloyd
Play Bugsy Siegel, play Pretty Boy Floyd
Play the numbers, play the odds
Play “Cry Me A River” for the Lord of the gods
Play Number 9, play Number 6
Play it for Lindsey and Stevie Nicks
Play Nat King Cole, play “Nature Boy”
Play “Down In The Boondocks” for Terry Malloy
Play “It Happened One Night” and “One Night of Sin”
There’s 12 Million souls that are listening in
Play “Merchant of Venice”, play “Merchants of Death”
Play “Stella by Starlight” for Lady Macbeth
Don’t worry, Mr. President. Help’s on the way
Your brothers are coming; there’ll be hell to pay
Brothers? What brothers? What’s this about hell?
Tell them, “We’re waiting. Keep coming.” We’ll get them as well
Love Field is where his plane touched down
But it never did get back up off the ground
Was a hard act to follow, second to none
They killed him on the altar of the rising sun
Play “Misty” for me and “That Old Devil Moon”
Play “Anything Goes” and “Memphis in June”
Play “Lonely At the Top” and “Lonely Are the Brave”
Play it for Houdini spinning around his grave
Play Jelly Roll Morton, play “Lucille”
Play “Deep In a Dream”, and play “Driving Wheel”
Play “Moonlight Sonata” in F-sharp
And “A Key to the Highway” for the king on the harp
Play “Marching Through Georgia” and “Dumbarton’s Drums”
Play darkness and death will come when it comes
Play “Love Me Or Leave Me” by the great Bud Powell
Play “The Blood-stained Banner”, play “Murder Most Foul”
“Hush little children, you’ll understand”
FANTASTIC Job – Well done !!!!!!!!!!!
The missing word is Altamonte in this line
Then I’ll go to Altamonte and sit near the stage
Altamonte Speedway CA where The Rolling Stones and Grateful dead hired the Hells Angels for security. 4 patrons we’re killed near the stage by the Hells Angels
Initial observations:
“Murder Most Foul” by Bob Dylan captures the political and musical turning point of a decade, much like Don McLean’s “American Pie”. While McLane focused on the untimely death of Buddy Holley, Dylan’s focus is on the JFK Assassination which occurred less than 5 years later. Both pepper the lyrics with subtle references to period specific music (“Ferry Cross the Mersey”, “Hold Your Hand”, Woodstock, etc) Both songs specifically reference the Altamonte concert.
Interestingly enough, Dylan is commonly thought to be “the Jester” in McLean’s song, so his perspective on this era in song is very apropos.
“Murder Most afoul” is supportive of Jim Garrison’s JFK Assassination assertions made in, “On the Trail of Assassins” later turned into the movie, JFK by Oliver Stone. Garrison was a DA in New Orleans where many of the Dallas players (Oswald, Ruby, etc.) appeared prior to the Assassination. In addition Garrison observed CIA and FBI (Guy Banister) involvement with these players. References to New Orleans and Banister are clearly evident in the lyrics (slide down the “banister”)
The title and refrain of “Murder Most Foul” seem based on Hamlet. In Hamlet the story of the King’s death is a lie, and the real murderer is wearing his crown. This is also supported by Jim Garrison’s evidence that LBJ was involved.
I’m riding along in a ? limousine ..
it is lennon..
there is a famous video of both in the dylan limusine and lennon is very shy talking with him
Yes, but Dylan clearly says”Lincoln limosine”… not ‘Lennon’ nor ‘black’ ….
I though he said “command” when it’s clearly “Altamont” when someone pointed it out to me!
Kennedy was in a ‘Lincoln Continental’ when shot….the limosines
named after President Lincoln….common luxury brand in North America
Zack, that’s a very good insight in your comparison between Hamlet and Johnson. I think the line ‘we live on the street down the street from where you live’ is also vital. The FBI HQ is down the street (Pennsylvania Avenue) from the White House, is it not? I also think this line of reasoning lends the song topicality.
Of course, one must remember that Johnson might only be getting the blame because he was the one to receive the most immediate and most obvious gain from these events. That he gained the presidency does not make him guilty.
DG: Also an allusion to “On The Street Where You Live” (My Fair Lady”) –
sung by Vic Damone – for one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fqxsdtOIg0
video with lyrics
I sent one more after this one in which it fixes
Hold on, ……. to ……………………Oh Lord
Freedom cover…….. to…………. freedom over
long, black limousine …. to…… long, black Lincoln limousine
Karl Wirsum……………..to………Carl Wilson
It should be 99.9 percent after those corrections
Murder Most Foul: annotated lyrics
[Verse 1]
It was a dark day in Dallas, November ’63
A day that will live on in infamy
President Kennedy was a-ridin’ high
Good day to be livin’ and a good day to die
Being led to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb
He said, “Wait a minute, boys, you know who I am?” (Bob Dylan: “Hurricane” lyrics)
“Of course we do, we know who you are!”
Then they blew off his head while he was still in the car
Shot down like a dog in broad daylight
Was a matter of timing and the timing was right
You got unpaid debts, we’ve come to collect
We’re gonna kill you with hatred, without any respect
We’ll mock you and shock you and we’ll put it in your face
We’ve already got someone here to take your place
The day they blew out the brains of the king
Thousands were watching, no one saw a thing
It happened so quickly, so quick, by surprise
Right there in front of everyone’s eyes
Greatest magic trick ever under the sun
Perfectly executed, skillfully done
Wolfman, oh Wolfman, oh Wolfman, howl (Wolfman Jack DJ)
Rub-a-dub-dub, it’s a murder most foul (“Three Men in a Tub” lyric) (The ghost of Hamlet’s father: “Murder Most Foul”)
[Verse 2]
Hush, little children, you’ll understand (“Hush Little Baby”)
The Beatles are comin’, they’re gonna hold your hand (The Beatles: “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
Slide down the banister, go get your coat
Ferry ‘cross the Mersey and go for the throat (Gerry & The Pacemakers: “Ferry Cross the Mersey”)
There’s three bums comin’ all dressed in rags (on the grassy knoll)
Pick up the pieces and lower the flags (Average White Band: “Pick Up the Pieces”)
I’m goin’ to Woodstock, it’s the Aquarian Age (Joni Mitchell: “Woodstock”) (The 5th Dimension: “Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)”)
Then I’ll go over to Altamont and sit near the stage (The Rolling Stones Altamont Festival)
Put your head out the window, let the good times roll (Shirley & Lee: “Let The Good Times Roll”)
There’s a party going on behind the Grassy Knoll (Wanda Jackson: “There’s A Party Goin’ On”)
Stack up the bricks, pour the cement
Don’t say Dallas don’t love you, Mr. President
Put your foot in the tank and then step on the gas (Chuck Berry: “You Can’t Catch Me” lyric)
Try to make it to the triple underpass (in Dallas)
Blackface singer, whiteface clown (Dylan in his pancake makeup for the Rolling Thunder Review)
Better not show your faces after the sun goes down
Up in the red light district, they’ve got cop on the beat
Living in a nightmare on Elm Street (“Nightmare on Elm Street: film)
[Elm Street is the actual road in Dallas where Kennedy was assassinated]
When you’re down on Deep Ellum, put your money in your shoe (The Grateful Dead: “Deep Ellum Blues”)
Don’t ask what your country can do for you (JFK)
Cash on the barrelhead, money to burn (Gram Parsons: “Cash On the Barrelhead”)
Dealey Plaza, make a left-hand turn (the deadly turn in Dallas)
I’m going down to the crossroads, gonna flag a ride (Robert Johnson: “Crossroads”)
The place where faith, hope, and charity died
Shoot him while he runs, boy, shoot him while you can (Jr. Walker & The All Stars: “Shotgun”)
See if you can shoot the invisible man
Goodbye, Charlie! Goodbye, Uncle Sam!
Frankly, Miss Scarlett, I don’t give a damn (Book: “My dear, I don’t give a damn.” Movie: “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn”)
What is the truth, and where did it go?
Ask Oswald and Ruby, they oughta know (Lee Harvy Oswald & Jack Ruby)
“Shut your mouth,” said a wise old owl (Kay Kyser: “The Wise Old Owl”)
Business is business, and it’s a murder most foul
[Verse 3]
Tommy, can you hear me? I’m the Acid Queen (The Who: “Tommy Can You Hear Me?”, “The Acid Queen”)
I’m riding in a long, black Lincoln limousine ( Elvis Presley: “Long Black Limousine”)
Ridin’ in the back seat next to my wife (Roomful of Blues: “Backseat Blues”)
Headed straight on into the afterlife
I’m leaning to the left, I got my head in her lap
Hold on, I’ve been led into some kind of a trap
Where we ask no quarter, and no quarter do we give
We’re right down the street, from the street where you live (John Michael King: “On the Street Where You Live”)
They mutilated his body and they took out his brain
What more could they do? They piled on the pain
But his soul was not there where it was supposed to be at
For the last fifty years they’ve been searchin’ for that
Freedom, oh freedom, freedom over me (Joan Baez: “Oh, Freedom”)
I hate to tell you, mister, but only dead men are free (Scottish proverb)
Send me some lovin’, then tell me no lie (Little Richard: “Send Me Some Lovin'”)
Throw the gun in the gutter and walk on by (Burt Bacharach: “Walk On By”)
Wake up, little Susie, let’s go for a drive (The Everly Brothers: “Wake up Little Susie”)
Cross the Trinity River, let’s keep hope alive (the Trinity River in Dallas)
Turn the radio on, don’t touch the dials (John Hartford: “Turn Your Radio On”)
Parkland Hospital, only six more miles (also Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL)
You got me dizzy, Miss Lizzy, you filled me with lead (Larry Williams: “Dizzy Miss Lizzy”)
That magic bullet of yours has gone to my head (Billie Holiday: “You Go To My Head”)
I’m just a patsy like Patsy Cline (Lee Harvey Oswald) (Patsy Cline: died tragically 1963)
Never shot anyone from in front or behind
I’ve blood in my eye, got blood in my ear (Mississippi Sheiks: “Blood in My Eyes”)
I’m never gonna make it to the new frontier (The Kingston Trio: “The New Frontier”)
Zapruder’s film I seen night before (Abraham Zapruder film)
Seen it thirty-three times, maybe more
It’s vile and deceitful, it’s cruel and it’s mean
Ugliest thing that you ever have seen
They killed him once and they killed him twice
Killed him like a human sacrifice
The day that they killed him, someone said to me, “Son
The age of the Antichrist has just only begun”
Air Force One comin’ in through the gate
Johnson sworn in at 2:38
Let me know when you decide to throw in the towel
It is what it is, and it’s murder most foul
[Verse 4]
What’s new, pussycat? What’d I say? (Tom Jones: “What’s New Pussycat?”) (Ray Charles: “What’d I Say”)
I said the soul of a nation been torn away
And it’s beginning to go into a slow decay
And that it’s thirty-six hours past Judgment Day
Wolfman Jack, he’s speaking in tongues (Wolfman Jack DJ)
He’s going on and on at the top of his lungs
Play me a song, Mr. Wolfman Jack (Billy Joel: “Piano Man”)
Play it for me in my long Cadillac
Play me that “Only the Good Die Young” (Billy Joel: “Only the Good Die Young”)
Take me to the place Tom Dooley was hung (The Kingston Trio: “Tom Dooley”)
Play “St. James Infirmary” and the Court of King James (Louis Armstrong: “St. James Infirmary (Gambler’s Blues)”)
If you want to remember, you better write down the names
Play Etta James, too, play “I’d Rather Go Blind” (Etta James: “Tell Mama”)
Play it for the man with the telepathic mind (William H. McCaffrey: magician)
Play John Lee Hooker, play “Scratch My Back” (John Lee Hooker: “Boom Boom”) (Slim Harpo: “Baby Scratch My Back”)
Play it for that strip club owner named Jack (Jack Ruby)
Guitar Slim going down slow (Guitar Slim, Memphis Slim: “Goin’ Down Slow”)
Play it for me and for Marilyn Monroe (Marilyn Monroe: “I Wanna Be Loved By You”)
[Verse 5]
Play “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” (Nina Simone: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”)
Play it for the First Lady, she ain’t feeling any good
Play Don Henley, play Glenn Frey (Warren Zevon: “Desperados Under the Eaves”)
Take it to the limit and let it go by (Eagles: “Take It to the Limit”)
Play it for Carl Wilson, too
Looking far, far away down Gower Avenue
[Carl Wilson was one of the founding members of the Beach Boys. In 1976, he sang background vocals on the Warren Zevon song “Desperados Under the Eaves,” which contains the line, “Look away down Gower Avenue, look away.” Dylan is a longtime fan of Zevon. In 2002, shortly before Zevon’s death, he played many of his songs in concert.}
Play tragedy, play “Twilight Time” (The Elmwoods: “Tragedy”) (The Platters: “Twilight Time”)
Take me back to Tulsa to the scene of the crime (Bob Wills: “Take Me Back To Tulsa”)
Play another one and “Another One Bites the Dust” (Queen: “Another One Bites The Dust”)
Play “The Old Rugged Cross” and “In God We Trust” (Jo Stafford: “The Old Rugged Cross”) (The Dead Kennedys: “In God We Trust” album)
Ride the pink horse down that long, lonesome road (Gaither Carlton: “Look Down That Lonesome Road”)
Stand there and wait for his head to explode
Play “Mystery Train” for Mr. Mystery (Elvis Presley: “Mystery Train”)
The man who fell down dead like a rootless tree
Play it for the reverend, play it for the pastor
Play it for the dog that got no master
Play Oscar Peterson, play Stan Getz (Oscar Peterson: “Stormy Weather”) (Stan Getz: “The Girl From Ipanema”?)
Play “Blue Sky,” play Dickey Betts (The Allman Brothers Band: “Blue Sky”) (Dickie Betts: “Blue Sky”)
Play Art Pepper, Thelonious Monk (Thelonious Monk:” ‘Round Midnight”?)
Charlie Parker and all that junk (Charlie Parker: “All The Things You Are”?)
All that junk and “All That Jazz” (Chicago Cast: “All That Jazz”)
Play something for the Birdman of Alcatraz (The Birdman of Alcatraz died one day before JFK)
Play Buster Keaton, play Harold Lloyd
Play Bugsy Siegel, play Pretty Boy Floyd (Bugsy Siegel died of two fatal head wounds) (Woody Guthrie: “Pretty Boy Floyd”)
Play the numbers, play the odds
Play “Cry Me a River” for the Lord of the gods (Ella Fitzgerald: “Cry Me A River”)
Play Number nine, play Number six (The Beatles: “Revolution 9” & sixth song: “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill”)
Play it for Lindsey and Stevie Nicks (Buckingham Nicks: “Crying for the Night”)
Play Nat King Cole, play “Nature Boy” (Nat King Cole: “Nature Boy”)
Play “Down in the Boondocks” for Terry Malloy (Billy Joe Royal: “Down in the Boondocks”) (Terry Malloy is the dockworker played by Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront”)
Play “It Happened One Night” and “One Night of Sin” (“It Happened One Night” film) (Elvis Presley: “One Night Of Sin”)
There’s twelve million souls that are listening in
Play “Merchant of Venice”, play “Merchants of Death” (William Shakespeare: ) (H.C. Engelbrecht: “Merchants of Death”)
Play “Stella by Starlight” for Lady Macbeth (Miles Davis: “Stella By Starlight”)
Don’t worry, Mr. President, help’s on the way
Your brothers are comin’, there’ll be hell to pay (JFK’s brothers?)
Brothers? What brothers? What’s this about hell?
Tell them, “We’re waiting, keep coming,” we’ll get them as well
Love Field is where his plane touched down
But it never did get back up off the ground
Was a hard act to follow, second to none
They killed him on the altar of the rising sun (The Animals: “House of the Rising Sun”)
Play “Misty” for me and “That Old Devil Moon” (Erroll Garner: “Misty”) (Miles Davis Quartet: “That Old Devil Moon”)
Play “Anything Goes” and “Memphis in June” (Eileen Rodgers: “Anything Goes”) (Hoagy Carmichael: “Memphis In June”)
Play “Lonely at the Top” and “Lonely Are the Brave” (Randy Newman: “Lonely at the Top”) (“Lonely Are the Brave”: Kirk Douglas Western)
Play it for Houdini spinning around in his grave (Harry Houdini: magician)
Play Jelly Roll Morton, play “Lucille” (Little Richard: “Lucille”)
Play “Deep in a Dream”, and play “Driving Wheel” (Jelly Roll Morton) (Chet Baker: “Deep In A Dream”) (David Wiffen: “Driving Wheel”)
Play “Moonlight Sonata” in F-sharp (Ludwig van Beethoven: “Moonlight Sonata (1st Movement)”)
And “A Key to the Highway” for the king on the harp (Little Walter: “Key to the Highway”)
Play “Marching Through Georgia” and “Dumbarton’s Drums” (Tennessee Ernie Ford: “Marching Through Georgia”) (The Corries: “Dumbarton’s Drums”)
Play darkness and death will come when it comes
Play “Love Me or Leave Me” by the great Bud Powell (Bud Powell: “Love Me or Leave Me” not really)
Play “The Blood-Stained Banner”, play “Murder Most Foul” (The final official flag of the Confederacy) (Bob Dylan: “Murder Most Foul”)
Parkland hospital, not Heartland
We’ve already got someone here to replace you refers to Lyndon Johnson,his Vice-President from Texas who became President.Many -including Jackie and Bobby- believe he was part of the overall conspiracy.
Brilliant lyrics and details laid out by Dylan here. No lone gunman or magic bullets.This was a hit by political rivals, murder most foul… LBJ, CIA with Bush Sr and pals, dirty Texans, murdering the legitimate leader of the country and installing a puppet in his place and fear into the heart of every citizen. Then they killed his brother 5 years later to finish the job and remind everyone. Our country, and possibly the entire world, has never recovered. this country will continue to be subverted again and again by the selfish assholes because most people in U.S. have it too good to even care what actually happened. It’s refreshing to see someone like Dylan,who was alive before and since, can see through the smoke and mirrors. This is still going on today folks they’re just a little nicer and cleaner about it, but rest assured if you step out of line or pop your head up you will get decapitated.
Bob Dylan
Pinned by BobDylanVEVO
Bob Dylan
1 week ago
Greetings to my fans and followers with gratitude for all your support and loyalty across the years. This is an unreleased song we recorded a while back that you might find interesting. Stay safe, stay observant and may God be with you. – Bob Dylan
18K
nissi k
1 week ago
Lyrics to Murder Most Foul by Bob Dylan
Twas a dark day in Dallas, November ’63
A day that will live on in infamy
President Kennedy was a-ridin’ high
Good day to be livin’ and a good day to die
Being led to the slaughter like a sacrificial lamb
He said, “Wait a minute, boys, you know who I am?”
“Of course we do. We know who you are.”
Then they blew off his head while he was still in the car
Shot down like a dog in broad daylight
Was a matter of timing and the timing was right
You got unpaid debts; we’ve come to collect
We’re gonna kill you with hatred; without any respect
We’ll mock you and shock you and we’ll put it in your face
We’ve already got someone here to take your place
The day they blew out the brains of the king
Thousands were watching; no one saw a thing
It happened so quickly, so quick, by surprise
Right there in front of everyone’s eyes
Greatest magic trick ever under the sun
Perfectly executed, skillfully done
Wolfman, oh wolfman, oh wolfman howl
Rub-a-dub-dub, it’s a murder most foul
Hush, little children. You’ll understand
The Beatles are comin’; they’re gonna hold your hand
Slide down the banister, go get your coat
Ferry ‘cross the Mersey and go for the throat
There’s three bums comin’ all dressed in rags
Pick up the pieces and lower the flags
I’m going to Woodstock; it’s the Aquarian Age
Then I’ll go to Altamont and sit near the stage
Put your head out the window; let the good times roll
There’s a party going on behind the Grassy Knoll
Stack up the bricks, pour the cement
Don’t say Dallas don’t love you, Mr. President
Put your foot in the tank and step on the gas
Try to make it to the triple underpass
Blackface singer, whiteface clown
Better not show your faces after the sun goes down
Up in the red light district, they’ve got cop on the beat
Living in a nightmare on Elm Street
When you’re down in Deep Ellum, put your money in your shoe
Don’t ask what your country can do for you
Cash on the barrel head, money to burn
Dealey Plaza, make left-hand turn
I’m going down to the crossroads; gonna flag a ride
The place where faith, hope, and charity died
Shoot him while he runs, boy. Shoot him while you can
See if you can shoot the invisible man
Goodbye, Charlie. Goodbye, Uncle Sam
Frankly, Miss Scarlett, I don’t give a damn
What is the truth, and where did it go?
Ask Oswald and Ruby; they oughta know
“Shut your mouth,” said the wise old owl
Business is business, and it’s a murder most foul
Tommy, can you hear me? I’m the Acid Queen
I’m riding in a long, black Lincoln limousine
Riding in the backseat next to my wife
Heading straight on in to the afterlife
I’m leaning to the left; got my head in her lap
Oh Lord, I’ve been led into some kind of a trap
Where we ask no quarter, and no quarter do we give
We’re right down the street from the street where you live
They mutilated his body, and they took out his brain
What more could they do? They piled on the pain
But his soul’s not there where it was supposed to be at
For the last fifty years they’ve been searchin’ for that
Freedom, oh freedom. Freedom over me
I hate to tell you, mister, but only dead men are free
Send me some lovin’; tell me no lies
Throw the gun in the gutter and walk on by
Wake up, little Susie; let’s go for a drive
Cross the Trinity River; let’s keep hope alive
Turn the radio on; don’t touch the dials
Parkland hospital, only six more miles
You got me dizzy, Miss Lizzy. You filled me with lead
That magic bullet of yours has gone to my head
I’m just a patsy like Patsy Cline
Never shot anyone from in front or behind
I’ve blood in my eye, got blood in my ear
I’m never gonna make it to the new frontier
Zapruder’s film I seen night before
Seen it 33 times, maybe more
It’s vile and deceitful. It’s cruel and it’s mean
Ugliest thing that you ever have seen
They killed him once and they killed him twice
Killed him like a human sacrifice
The day that they killed him, someone said to me, “Son
The age of the Antichrist has only begun.”
Air Force One coming in through the gate
Johnson sworn in at 2:38
Let me know when you decide to thrown in the towel
It is what it is, and it’s murder most foul
What’s new, pussycat? What’d I say?
I said the soul of a nation been torn away
And it’s beginning to go into a slow decay
And that it’s 36 hours past Judgment Day
Wolfman Jack, speaking in tongues
He’s going on and on at the top of his lungs
Play me a song, Mr. Wolfman Jack
Play it for me in my long Cadillac
Play me that “Only the Good Die Young”
Take me to the place Tom Dooley was hung
Play St. James Infirmary and the Court of King James
If you want to remember, you better write down the names
Play Etta James, too. Play “I’d Rather Go Blind”
Play it for the man with the telepathic mind
Play John Lee Hooker. Play “Scratch My Back.”
Play it for that strip club owner named Jack
Guitar Slim going down slow
Play it for me and for Marilyn Monroe
Play “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”
Play it for the First Lady, she ain’t feeling any good
Play Don Henley, play Glenn Frey
Take it to the limit and let it go by
Play it for Carl Wilson, too
Looking far, far away at Down Gallow Avenue
Play tragedy, play “Twilight Time”
Take me back to Tulsa to the scene of the crime
Play another one and “Another One Bites the Dust”
Play “The Old Rugged Cross” and “In God We Trust”
Ride the pink horse down the long, lonesome road
Stand there and wait for his head to explode
Play “Mystery Train” for Mr. Mystery
The man who fell down dead like a rootless tree
Play it for the Reverend; play it for the Pastor
Play it for the dog that got no master
Play Oscar Peterson. Play Stan Getz
Play “Blue Sky”; play Dickey Betts
Play Art Pepper, Thelonious Monk
Charlie Parker and all that junk
All that junk and “All That Jazz”
Play something for the Birdman of Alcatraz
Play Buster Keaton, play Harold Lloyd
Play Bugsy Siegel, play Pretty Boy Floyd
Play the numbers, play the odds
Play “Cry Me A River” for the Lord of the gods
Play Number 9, play Number 6
Play it for Lindsey and Stevie Nicks
Play Nat King Cole, play “Nature Boy”
Play “Down In The Boondocks” for Terry Malloy
Play “It Happened One Night” and “One Night of Sin”
There’s 12 Million souls that are listening in
Play “Merchant of Venice”, play “Merchants of Death”
Play “Stella by Starlight” for Lady Macbeth
Don’t worry, Mr. President. Help’s on the way
Your brothers are coming; there’ll be hell to pay
Brothers? What brothers? What’s this about hell?
Tell them, “We’re waiting. Keep coming.” We’ll get them as well
Love Field is where his plane touched down
But it never did get back up off the ground
Was a hard act to follow, second to none
They killed him on the altar of the rising sun
Play “Misty” for me and “That Old Devil Moon”
Play “Anything Goes” and “Memphis in June”
Play “Lonely At the Top” and “Lonely Are the Brave”
Play it for Houdini spinning around his grave
Play Jelly Roll Morton, play “Lucille”
Play “Deep In a Dream”, and play “Driving Wheel”
Play “Moonlight Sonata” in F-sharp
And “A Key to the Highway” for the king on the harp
Play “Marching Through Georgia” and “Dumbarton’s Drums”
Play darkness and death will come when it comes
Play “Love Me Or Leave Me” by the great Bud Powell
Play “The Blood-stained Banner”, play “Murder Most Foul
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My guesss are in no way a meant to be definitive…,some words sound garbled