As I Went Out One Morning

Bob Dylan

About As I Went Out One Morning

"As I Went Out One Morning" is a song written by Bob Dylan, released on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding. He has only performed this song live once, in the early phase of the Bob Dylan and The Band 1974 Tour. The lyrics to "As I Went Out One Morning" tell about a man who offers a hand to a woman in chains, but realizes that she wants more than he is offering, and that "she meant to do [him] harm." A character identified as Tom Paine then appears, "command[s] her to yield," and apologizes to the narrator for the woman's actions. Tom Paine as a figure may represent common sense or civil liberties, which the historical Tom Paine championed. However, it is also likely that this song references the prestigious Tom Paine Award that Dylan received in 1963 from the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee. Dylan delivered an acceptance speech and was booed and rushed from the stage when he claimed to have empathy for some of Lee Harvey Oswald feelings. The song bears a resemblance to the W. H. Auden poem As I Walked Out One Evening, including sharing the same iambic meter and quatrain form. 


Year:
1967
2:49
276 
#12

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As I went out one morning
To breathe the air around Tom Paine's
I spied the fairest damsel
That ever did walk in chains
I offer'd her my hand
She took me by the arm
I knew that very instant
She meant to do me harm

Depart from me this moment
I told her with my voice
Said she, but I don't wish to
Said I, But you have no choice
I beg you, sir, she pleaded
From the corners of her mouth
I will secretly accept you
And together we'll fly south

Just then Tom Paine, himself
Came running from across the field
Shouting at this lovely girl
And commanding her to yield
And as she was letting go her grip
Up Tom Paine did run
I'm sorry, sir, he said to me
I'm sorry for what she's done

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Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan ( /ˈdɪlən/; born Robert Allen Zimmerman; May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, poet and artist. He has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly reluctant figurehead of social unrest. A number of Dylan's early songs, such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin'", became anthems for the US civil rights and anti-war movements. Leaving his initial base in the culture of folk music behind, Dylan's six-minute single "Like a Rolling Stone" has been described as radically altering the parameters of popular music in … more »

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Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Album Inclusion
"As I Went out One Morning" is one of the tracks from Bob Dylan's 1967 album, "John Wesley Harding".
Genre
The song is considered a part of the Country Rock and Folk Rock genre.
Time Signature and Key
"As I Went out One Morning" is set in a 4/4 time signature and is performed in the key of A major.
Song Length
The song has a duration of 2 minutes and 49 seconds, making it one of the shorter songs on the album.
Album Success
Even though "As I Went out One Morning" was never released as a single, the album "John Wesley Harding" reached #2 in the US and #1 in the UK charts.
Meaning and Interpretation
The song's lyrics have been interpreted in many ways, with some suggesting it tells the story of America's mistreatment of Native Americans or an encounter with seduction.
Song Style
"As I Went out One Morning" represents a shift in Dylan's musical style, as he moves from his traditional folk roots to a more country-inspired sound.
Instrumentation
The song mostly consists of Bob Dylan's vocals, harmonica, and acoustic guitar, backed by a basic drum and bass rhythm section.
Notable Performance
Bob Dylan only performed "As I Went out One Morning" live once, and it took place in 1997, thirty years after the song's initial release.
Minimalistic Approach
The song, along with the rest of the album, is noted for its minimalistic approach, a purposeful contrast to Dylan's previous, lyrically complex works. "As I Went out One Morning" is quite straightforward and unambiguous.
Critical Acclaim
It has since received critical acclaim, with many praising Dylan's songwriting and vocal performance.

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