Masters of War

Bob Dylan

About Masters of War

"Masters of War" is a song by Bob Dylan, written over the winter of 1962-63 and released on the album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan in the spring of 1963. The song's melody was adapted from the traditional "Nottamun Town". Dylan's lyrics are a protest against the Cold War nuclear arms build-up of the early 1960s.


Year:
1985
4:32
2,275 
#4

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Come you masters of war
You that build the big guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

You that never done nothin'
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it's your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly

Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
While the young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud

You've thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain't worth the blood
That runs in your veins

How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I'm young
You might say I'm unlearned
But there's one thing I know
Though I'm younger than you
That even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do

Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good?
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could?
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul

And I hope that you die
And your death will come soon
I'll follow your casket
By the pale afternoon
And I'll watch while you're lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I'll stand over your grave
'Til I'm sure that you're dead

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


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 »

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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
"Masters of War" was written and performed by the legendary folk singer Bob Dylan. It was created in 1963, as part of his second studio album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan."
Political Protest Song
The song is known as one of Dylan’s most stark and vitriolic anti-war anthems, openly attacking the political and economic drivers of war.
Song Style
Unlike typical folk music, which traditionally has a more upbeat rhythm, "Masters of War" has a more somber and haunting tone to match its serious subject matter.
Inspiration
The song's melody was inspired by Jean Ritchie's arrangement of a traditional English folk song called "Nottamun Town".
Lyrics Interpretation
Dylan's lyrics, while outwardly about war, can be interpreted to apply to any situation where people are manipulated by those in power.
Dylan's Stance
Even though sme have interpreted "Masters of War" as a pacifist song, Dylan has clarified that he isn't a pacifist and the song should be viewed more as a statement against the people who allow and profit off war.
Live Performances
Dylan continues to include "Masters of War" in his live performances even today, which attests to the song's enduring relevance.
Cover Versions
It has been covered by numerous artists, including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, who performed an especially powerful rendition during Dylan’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Cultural Impact
"Masters of War" remains a cultural icon, representing opposition to governmental war mongering. It is consistently included in lists of the greatest songs of all-time.
Impact on Music Industry
The song marked a significant departure from traditional "protest" songs, propelling Dylan to the forefront of the anti-war and civil rights movements. It solidified Dylan's reputation as a leading voice of his generation and paved the way for more politically and socially conscious music.
Enduring Relevance
The timeless message of the song still resonates today in discussions about war, capitalism, and social justice. It continues to inspire and influence contemporary artists across genres.

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