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John Wesley Harding was a friend to the poor
He traveled with a gun in every hand
All along ths countryside, he opened many a door
But he was never known to hurt an honest man
Twas down in Chaney County, a time they talk about
Wit his lady by his side, h 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 be proved
And here was no man around who could track or chain him down
He was never known to make a foolish move.
He traveled with a gun in every hand
All along ths countryside, he opened many a door
But he was never known to hurt an honest man
Twas down in Chaney County, a time they talk about
Wit his lady by his side, h 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 be proved
And here was no man around who could track or chain him down
He was never known to make a foolish move.
Lyrics submitted by Cake
Track duration: 02:31
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John Wesley Harding which is the first track and title of the album groups things together as well as Dylan's previous 'album-starters'.
Clearly reminiscent of Woody Guthrie's Pretty Boy Floyd, John Wesley Harding is a glorified outlaw whose sins are forgotten and virtues extolled. In this sense it is stylistically and musically a tribute to folk Americana.
However history would note that John Wesley Harding is a fictal character while John Wesley Hardin was a real man. Is this misspelling intentional? Also history would note that the JWH initials are comprable to the Hebrew moniker for Jehovah. Could this also be intentional?
Throughout the album Dylan draws on numerous Biblical references dealing with traditional Christian themes. It only makes sense that the album title and first song would serve to encompass this.
Ha, it is hard to imagine that JWH is just a coincidence. Especially given how the person is described as being perfect. So, did Jesus make a "foolish move" when he let Judas kiss him? ;-)
I totally agree with theweeks123
The thing that nmustapha must realize is that Dylan's interviews are VERY misleading, as he himself tends to diminish his work and the effort he puts into it. He doesn't like the worshiping he gets, and is very private about his life, so he will always try to make it seem like no big deal
But it SO is
personally i enjoy the song a great deal and think the lyrics are interesting, but they lack the true social commentary of Dylan's better folk works,
John Wesley Hardin wasn't born in Cheney county and he would probably hurt an honest man, he was renowned in history as 'the meanest man alive' and the song is about that outlaw and the outlaw life
Dylan said in an interview that Hardin as a figure interested him and he had a tune that he really liked, when he sat down to write it he just kind of fumbled a bit, but then he said, in an attempt not to make the song seem like just a filler he made it the album title and lead off song
that's bobby
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