Angelina

About Angelina

"Angelina" is a song written by Bob Dylan, originally recorded in the spring of 1981 for the album Shot of Love. However, "Angelina" was cut from the record, and fans would have to wait until 1991 when it was released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1-3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961-1991. Like Dylan's similarly named "Farewell Angelina", "Angelina" is full of imagery and biblical allusions (the 'four faces', for example, of the final stanza appear to allude to Ezek.10. 14 and 10.21 and the reference to 'trying to take heaven by force' to Matthew 11:12). Considered by most critics to be one of the best songs written during his "born-again" period, "Angelina" is the classic Dylan work in which obscure yet meaningful poetry and a seemingly all-encompassing vision take on humanity's most pressing problems, all the while making for a pleasant listen. more »

11:36

37 Views

 Struggling with Angelina? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!

Well, it's always been my nature

To take chances

My right hand drawing back

While my left hand advances

Where the current is strong

And the monkey dances

To the tune

Of a concertina

Blood dryin' in my yellow hair

As I go from shore to shore

I know what it is

That has drawn me to your door

But whatever could it be

Makes you think

You've seen me before

Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, Angelina

His eyes were two slits

Makin' a snake proud

With a face that any painter would paint

As he walked through the crowd

Worshiping a God

With the body of a woman

Well endowed

And the head of a hyena

Do I need your permission

To turn the other cheek?

If you can read my mind

Why must I speak?

No, I have heard nothing

About the man

That you seek

Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, Angelina

In the valley of the giants

Where the stars and stripes explode

The peaches they were sweet

And the milk and honey flowed

I was only following instructions

When the judge

Sent me down the road

With your subpoena

When you cease to exist

Then who will you blame?

I've tried my best to love you

But I cannot play this game

Your best friend

And my worst enemy

Is one and the same

Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, Angelina

There's a black Mercedes

Rollin' through the combat zone

Your servants are half dead

You're down to the bone

Tell me, tall man

Where would you like

To be overthrown

In Jerusalem or Argentina?

She was stolen from her mother

When she was three days old

Now her vengeance has been satisfied

And her possessions have been sold

He's surrounded by God's angels

And she's wearin' a blindfold

But so are you

Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, Angelina

I see pieces of men marching

Trying to take Heaven by force

I can see the unknown rider

I can see the pale white horse

In God's truth name

Tell me what you want

And you'll have it of course

Just step into the arena

Beat a path of retreat

Up them spiral staircases

Pass the tree of smoke

Pass the angel with four faces

Begging God for mercy

And weepin'

In unholy places

Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, Angelina

Oh, oh, Angelina

Oh, oh, Angelina

 Struggling with Angelina? Become a better singer in 30 days with these videos!

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 »

Follow 33 fans