Blind Willie McTell
The Band
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Seen the arrow on the door post Saying, "This land is condemned" All the way From New Orleans to Jerusalem I traveled through East Texas Where many martyrs fell And I know one thing, nobody can sing Them blues like blind Willie McTell Well, I heard the hoot-owl singing As they were taking down the tents The stars above all the barren trees Were his only audience Yeah, them charcoal gypsy maidens Can strut their feathers well And I know one thing, nobody can sing Them blues like blind Willie McTell See them big plantations a-burning Can't you hear the cracking of the whips? Smell that sweet magnolia blossom blooming See the ghosts of the slavery ships Well, I can hear them tribes a-moanin' I can hear the undertaker's bell And I know one thing, nobody can sing Them blues like blind Willie McTell There's a woman, she's standing by the river She is with some fine young handsome man See he's all dressed just like a squire He's got bootleg whiskey in his hand Yeah, there's a chain-gang out on the highway And I can hear them rebels yell And I know one thing, nobody can sing Them blues like blind Willie McTell God, oh God is in Heaven And we all want what is His But the power and greed, the corruptible seed Seems to be all that there is Hey, hey, I'm a-gazing out the window Of the St. James Hotel And I know one thing, nobody can sing Them blues like blind Willie McTell Hey, hey, I know one thing, nobody can sing Them blues like blind Willie McTell
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Recording History"Blind Willie McTell" was recorded during sessions for Bob Dylan's 1983 album, "Infidels," but was surprisingly left off the final album.
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InfluenceThe song is named after the influential blues musician, Blind Willie McTell, who was known for his ability to play a twelve-string guitar and his role in shaping blues music in the early 20th century.
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Style"Blind Willie McTell" is primarily a blues song, reflecting the style of its namesake. It features acoustic guitar and piano, showcasing the artist's storytelling abilities.
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LyricsThe lyrics of the song often tell the story of America's troubled history, including references to slavery, the Civil War, and ongoing institutionalized racism.
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CollaborationsMick Taylor, former guitarist for The Rolling Stones, played the lead guitar, and Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits reportedly contributed to the song.
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Post-RecordingDespite not making the cut for the original album, the song has become one of Dylan's most celebrated works. It was later released in 1991 on "The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991".
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PerformanceDylan has only performed "Blind Willie McTell" in concert a handful of times, making it a rare treat for audiences who have heard it live.
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InterpretationsMany reviewers and critics view "Blind Willie McTell" as Dylan acknowledging the vast influence of African American culture, particularly blues music, on America and his own work.
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RecognitionThe song has been covered by numerous artists and bands, attesting to its enduring popularity. Notably, The Band, also associated with Dylan, played a version of the song.
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QuoteAccording to Rolling Stone Magazine, Dylan once stated about the song, "I started playing it live because I heard the Band doing it. Most likely it was a demo, probably showing the musicians how it should go. It was never developed fully, I never got around to completing it. There wouldn't have been any other reason for leaving it off the record. It's like a painting, you know?"
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