Wednesday 18 May 2011

Once upon a time you dressed so fine

There's probably a copyright law against posting this, but if I have to take it down soon, it's worth it. I was having a Bob Dylan morning (yes, things are that bad), and the words of this song just jumped out. Which Barnet council politician would do well to heed them, do you think? (Clue: 2012.)

Like a Rolling Stone

Once upon a time you dressed so fine
You 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 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 having 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?

You've gone to the finest school all right, Miss Lonely
But you know you only used to get juiced in it
And 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 say do you want to make a deal?

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.

Princess on the steeple and all the pretty people
They're drinkin', thinkin' that they got it made
Exchanging all precious gifts
But you'd better take 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.

3 comments:

Mrs Angry said...

or, It's all over now, Baby Blue
a Hard Rain's Gonna Fall,etc ...
took my kids to see Dylan at Wembley once, for their broader education: they peered at him as if he was an ancient monument. Which I suppose he is. He did a brilliant, vituperative
20 minute version of Rolling Stone ...

Rog T said...

I love the version of this song by Spirit on Spirit of '76

Citizen Barnet said...

Thanks, Roger. A very interesting recommendation. I enjoyed it. A more laid-back and spaced-out rendition - two qualities we wouldn't usually associate with Brian Coleman. Perhaps that's what he needs - a bit of chilling out.

Anyone want to be Coleman's dealer? He's got a bit of cash to splash.