About the song
Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are a-Changin'” is more than just a song; it’s a cultural touchstone that has resonated with generations. Released in 1964, the song captured the spirit of a tumultuous era marked by social upheaval, political unrest, and a growing desire for change.
Written as a deliberate attempt to create an anthem of change, “The Times They Are a-Changin'” reflects the seismic shifts occurring in American society during the early 1960s. Dylan’s lyrics, infused with a sense of urgency and inevitability, paint a picture of a world in transition. The song’s message is universal, transcending the specific historical context in which it was written.
While the song’s origins can be traced back to Dylan’s personal experiences and observations, it quickly became a rallying cry for those seeking to challenge the status quo. Its impact was amplified by the civil rights movement and the growing folk music scene, which provided a platform for social and political commentary.
The song’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the essence of change and its impact on individuals and society. Dylan’s evocative lyrics and haunting melody have made it a timeless classic, inspiring countless artists and listeners over the years. Whether you’re a seasoned Dylan fan or discovering his music for the first time, “The Times They Are a-Changin'” is a song that deserves to be heard and appreciated.
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Lyrics
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
And you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin’
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin’
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin’