Oxford Town
Bob Dylan
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Oxford Town, Oxford Town Everybody's got their heads bowed down The sun don't shine above the ground Ain't a-goin' down to Oxford Town He went down to Oxford Town Guns and clubs followed him down All because his face was brown Better get away from Oxford Town Oxford Town around the bend Come to the door, he couldn't get in All because of the color of his skin What do you think about that, my friend? Me and my gal, my gal's son We got met with a tear gas bomb I don't even know why we come Goin' back where we come from Oxford Town in the afternoon Everybody singin' a sorrowful tune Two men died 'neath the Mississippi moon Somebody better investigate soon
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Song Creation"Oxford Town" was written by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and was included in his second studio album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan", released in 1963.
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Inspired by Current EventsThis song was inspired by the events revolving around James Meredith, the first African American student to register at the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, in Oxford, Mississippi.
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Civil Rights ThemeThe song is a poignant commentary on the violent racial turmoil that marked the American Civil Rights Movement.
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SettingThe 'Oxford Town' in the song is not Oxford, England as often misconstrued, but Oxford, Mississippi in the United States.
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Unique Song StructureUnlike many songs, "Oxford Town" does not have a chorus or a bridge. It consists of only three verses.
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LengthThe track is one of Dylan's shorter songs, lasting a mere one minute and fifty seconds.
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Wide RecognitionIn the folk and protest genre, "Oxford Town" has gained widespread recognition and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
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Dylan's CommentIn a conversation with Studs Terkel, Bob Dylan mentioned that he wrote "Oxford Town" in a car on his way to a particular place. He also said it was one of the songs he liked the most from his second album.
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Metaphorical Use LyricsWhile the title suggests a specific locality, the song symbolically refers to any town or place that was scarred by racial unrest and segregation.
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ImpactThough "Oxford Town" wasn't released as a single, it contributed greatly to establishing Dylan as not just a songwriter but a protest singer who used music to address social injustices.
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Cross-referencingIn a later work entitled "Chronicles," Dylan admitted he modeled "Oxford Town" on Curtis Jones' "Highway 51", another song from Dylan's first album.
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Citation
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"Oxford Town Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30084695/Bob+Dylan/Oxford+Town>.
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