Duncan and Brady
Dave Van Ronk
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Well, it's twinkle, twinkle little star Along came Brady in his 'lectric car Got a mean look right in his eye Gonna shoot somebody just to see him die Well, he been on the job too long Well, Duncan, Duncan was tending the bar Along comes Brady with his shiny star Brady says, Duncan, you are under arrest And Duncan shot a hole right in Brady's chest Yes, he been on the job too long Brady, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong Breaking in here when my game's going on Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor Yes, you been on the job too long Well, old King Brady was a big fat man Doctor reached out, grabbed hold of his hand He felt for his pulse, doctor said "I believe unto my soul King Brady's dead" Yes, he been on the job too long High tailed carriages standing around Waiting to take King Brady to the burying ground High tailed carriages, rubber tired hack Well, they took him to the graveyard But they didn't bring him back Yes, he been on the job too long Well, women all heard King Brady was dead They go back home and re-rag in red Come a-slipping and a-sliding and a-shuffling down the street In their big Mother Hubbards and their stocking feet He been on the job too long Well, Brady, Brady, well you know you done wrong Breaking in here when my game's going on Breaking down the windows, knocking down the door And now you're lying dead on the barroom floor Yes, you been on the job too long
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
10 facts about this song
Artist Background"Duncan and Brady" was performed by both legendary American singer-songwriters Bob Dylan and Dave Van Ronk. Bob Dylan is one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture, while Dave Van Ronk was an integral part of the 1960s folk music revival in Greenwich Village, New York.
|
Song OriginThe song is a traditional American folk song, the origins of which are traced back to the murder of a policeman, James Brady, by a bartender, Harry Duncan, in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1890.
|
AdaptationBoth Dylan and Van Ronk have their own unique takes on the song, with Dylan's version being more raw and Van Ronk's rendition infused with bluesier elements. They both adapted the traditional song in their individual signature styles.
|
Dylan's VersionBob Dylan learnt the song from Dave Van Ronk, and it was one of the early tunes that he played in his coffeehouse performances in the early 1960s. It exemplifies his mastery of storytelling through songs.
|
Van Ronk's InfluenceDave Van Ronk was one of Bob Dylan's early influences. Dylan was known to have borrowed a number of Van Ronk's arrangements, including that of "Duncan and Brady".
|
Live Performance"Duncan and Brady" was performed by Dylan more than 100 times during his “Never-Ending Tour” between 1999 and 2000. However, it isn't one of his well-known popular numbers.
|
UnreleasedDespite its regular appearance in Dylan's live performances, his version of "Duncan and Brady" was never officially released on any of his studio albums.
|
Van Ronk's VersionVan Ronk's version of "Duncan and Brady" appeared on his 1971 album "Van Ronk". His rendition of the classic folk song was bolder and more vigorous compared to Dylan's more subdued acoustic interpretation.
|
Cultural Impact"Duncan and Brady" has been covered by numerous artists over the decades, showcasing its enduring appeal. It's a song that tells a real story, reflecting the era of lawmen and outlaws in America's history.
|
StorytellingBoth Dylan and Van Ronk, through their renditions of "Duncan and Brady", epitomize the tradition of using songs as a medium of storytelling. This song narrates a dramatic event from history, thus adding a layer of richness and depth to their music repertoire.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Duncan and Brady Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 8 Jun 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1056560/Dave+Van+Ronk/Duncan+and+Brady>.
Discuss the Duncan and Brady Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In