With God on Our Side

Bob Dylan

About With God on Our Side

"With God on Our Side" is a song by Bob Dylan, released as the third track on his 1964 album The Times They Are A-Changin'. Dylan first performed the song during his debut at The Town Hall in New York City on April 12, 1963. Dylan is known to sing the song only rarely in concert.


Year:
2007
6:07
91 
#1

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Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

"Not I," says the referee,
"Don't point your finger at me.
I could've stopped it in the eighth
An' maybe kept him from his fate,
But the crowd would've booed, I'm sure,
At not gettin' their money's worth.
It's too bad he had to go,
But there was a pressure on me too, you know.
It wasn't me that made him fall.
No, you can't blame me at all."

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

"Not us," says the angry crowd,
Whose screams filled the arena loud.
"It's too bad he died that night
But we just like to see a fight.
We didn't mean for him t' meet his death,
We just meant to see some sweat,
There ain't nothing wrong in that.
It wasn't us that made him fall.
No, you can't blame us at all."

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

"Not me," says his manager,
Puffing on a big cigar.
"It's hard to say, it's hard to tell,
I always thought that he was well.
It's too bad for his wife an' kids he's dead, 
But if he was sick, he should've said.
It wasn't me that made him fall.
No, you can't blame me at all."

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

"Not me," says the gambling man,
With his ticket stub still in his hand.
"It wasn't me that knocked him down,
My hands never touched him none.
I didn't commit no ugly sin,
Anyway, I put money on him to win.
It wasn't me that made him fall.
No, you can't blame me at all."

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

"Not me," says the boxing writer,
Pounding print on his old typewriter,
Sayin', "Boxing ain't to blame,
There's just as much danger in a football game."
Sayin', "Fist fighting is here to stay,
It's just the old American way.
It wasn't me that made him fall.
No, you can't blame me at all."

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

"Not me," says the man whose fists
Laid him low in a cloud of mist,
Who came here from Cuba's door
Where boxing ain't allowed no more.
"I hit him, yes, it's true,
But that's what I am paid to do.
Don't say 'murder,' don't say 'kill.'
It was destiny, it was God's will."

Who killed Davey Moore,
Why an' what's the reason for?

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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 »

33 fans

Written by: BOB DYLAN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


8 facts about this song

Release Date & Album
"With God On Our Side" is a track from Bob Dylan's third album, "The Times They Are A-Changin'," which was released in 1964.
Genre
The genre of the song is folk, which is a hallmark of Dylan's early career. It's recognized for its powerful and deeply introspective lyrics.
Lyrics Theme
The lyrics of "With God on Our Side" comment on the philosophy that justifies war by placing God on one side, highlighting the questionable morality of such belief. Dylan walks through various historical events, including World War I, World War II, and the Cold War.
Live Performances
A 10-minute live version of the song was recorded in 1988 during the Never Ending Tour and was included in Dylan's album "The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration".
Covert References
The song refers to various military engagements in American history, but Dylan never specifically mentions Vietnam, although the conflict was escalating at the time the song was written and released.
Controversy
Some critics compared the tune of "With God on Our Side" with an earlier folk song, "The Patriot Game" by Dominic Behan. Dylan was accused of 'borrowing' the melody from Behan's song.
Political Impact
This song is considered one of Dylan's most poignant and powerful political statements, it drove the folk music's turn into 'protest music' during the civil rights movement and the escalating Vietnam War.
Collaborations
In 2003, Dylan played a duet version of the song with Joan Baez during his performance at The Newport Folk Festival, focusing on the civil rights and anti-war themes.

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