John Wesley Harding
Bob Dylan
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John Wesley Harding Was a friend to the poor He traveled with a gun in every hand All along this countryside He opened a many a door But he was never known To hurt an honest man It was down in Chaynee County A time they talk about With his lady by his side He took a stand And soon the situation there Was all but straightened out For he was always known To lend a helping hand All across the telegraph His name it did resound But no charge held against him Could they prove And there was no man around Who could track or chain him down He was never known To make a foolish move
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Historical Context"John Wesley Harding" is the title track from Bob Dylan's eighth studio album. The album itself was released in 1967 and marked a distinct shift away from the more rock-oriented sound of Dylan's previous two records.
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InspirationThe song was apparently inspired by the life of John Wesley Hardin, who was a notorious American outlaw and gunslinger during the late 19th century. However, Dylan misspelled the name as "John Wesley Harding" instead of "John Wesley Hardin".
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Musical StyleThe song, like most on the album, features a sparse musical arrangement, boasting a folk and country music vibe against Dylan's prevalent rock style of that era.
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Album Session DetailsThe entire "John Wesley Harding" album was recorded with a small, three-person band, which was a change from the larger, full-band sound that characterized Dylan's prior works.
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Lyrical InterpretationThe song's lyrics are purposefully ambiguous and resonate with the mythic, almost Biblical nature of many of the album's songs, proving again Dylan's mastery in storytelling.
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Critical AcclaimThe track set the tone for the entire album that was critically well-received, with many praising its more austere, stripped-down sound as a welcome shift from the psychedelic vibe prevalent in the late 60s.
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Historical Influence"John Wesley Harding," and its eponymous album, are considered a significant influence on the alternative country genre that emerged in the following decades.
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Limited Radio ExposureDespite the overall praise, the song "John Wesley Harding" did not receive much radio airplay and is considered one of Dylan's lesser-known works.
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Release FactThe album, including this track, was one of the first releases after Dylan’s recuperation from a motorcycle accident in July 1966.
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Public PerceptionWhile the song and album did not initially achieve mass popularity, they have since gained recognition for setting the stage for Dylan's next release, the widely acclaimed “Nashville Skyline”.
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Citation
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"John Wesley Harding Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 31 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/6529953/Bob+Dylan/John+Wesley+Harding>.
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