I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
Bob Dylan
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I dreamed I saw St. Augustine Alive as you or me Tearing through these quarters In the utmost misery With a blanket underneath his arm And a coat of solid gold Searching for the very souls Whom already have been sold Arise, arise, he cried so loud In a voice without restraint Come out, ye gifted kings and queens And hear my sad complaint No martyr is among ye now Whom you can call your own So go on your way accordingly But know you're not alone I dreamed I saw St. Augustine Alive with fiery breath And I dreamed I was amongst the ones That put him out to death Oh, I awoke in anger So alone and terrified I put my fingers against the glass And bowed my head and cried
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Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
6 facts about this song
Song Interpretation and Themes1. "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan that is often interpreted as a reflection of Dylan's own search for morality and redemption.
2. The lyrics are based on an old folk ballad about Joe Hill, a Swedish-American labor activist, who was wrongfully convicted of murder.
3. The song includes spiritual and biblical themes, as St. Augustine is an important figure in Christianity who experienced a significant religious conversion.
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Composition and Release4. "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" was first released in Dylan's 1967 album, John Wesley Harding.
5. Dylan recorded the song in Nashville with a pared-down, folk-infused sound which marked a significant musical style shift from his previous, more rock-oriented album, Blonde on Blonde.
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Performances and Covers6. Notable artists who covered "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" include Eric Clapton and Joan Baez.
7. Eric Clapton performed the song during a tribute concert to Dylan in 1992.
8. Joan Baez, a long-time collaborator and former romantic partner of Dylan, included her version of "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" in her 1969 album, David's Album.
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Production and Production Styles9. Clapton and Baez each brought their own unique style to their cover versions - Clapton with his blues-rooted rock and roll style, and Baez with her folk and country influences.
10. Despite each artist's different interpretation, all versions of the song have been praised for their emotive lyrics and melody.
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Critical Reception11. The song is often ranked as one of Dylan's most powerful compositions.
12. Fans and critics alike applauded Dylan for blending religious and political themes in a deeply personal manner.
13. Clapton and Baez's versions have been critically revered for their powerful embodiment of the song's spiritual questing themes.
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Playlist Feature14. "I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine" has also been included in a number of playlists for classic folk and rock tracks, with it being notable for its timeless relevance and poetic imagery.
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Citation
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"I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 11 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30084632/Bob+Dylan/I+Dreamed+I+Saw+St.+Augustine>.
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