An Introduction to America’s Music

438 PART 4 | SINCE WORLD WAR II

timing section text comments

0:00 stanza 1 A bullet from the back of a bush... A single guitar chord precedes an

abrupt vocal entry.

0:19 Two eyes took the aim... A 3-bar musical phrase repeats for

three different lines of the lyrics.

0:29 refrain He’s only a pawn in their game. Each stanza closes with refrain.

0:36 stanza 2 A South politician preaches...

0:54 And the Negro’s name... The 3-bar phrase repeats seven times.

1:22 stanza 3 The deputy sheriffs, the soldiers, the

governors...

1:42 He’s taught in his school... The phrase repeats eight times.

2:09 stanza 4 From the poverty shacks, he looks from

the cracks...

2:29 To hang and to lynch... The phrase repeats six times.

2:51 stanza 5 Today, Medgar Evers was buried...

3:10 He’ll see by his grave... The phrase repeats four times.

songwriter: Bob Dylan

date: 1963

performer: Bob Dylan, vocal, guitar

genre: protest song

meter: triple

form: strophic

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

• overtly political lyrics, without call to action


• vocal style that favors delivery of lyrics over
  tonal beauty


• discreet accompaniment with rubato and
  emphasis on lyrics


• fl exible verse lengths accommodating
  varying numbers of poetic lines per verse

CD 3.17 Listening Guide 17.6 “Only a Pawn in Their Game” BOB DYLAN

Listen & Refl ect

1. Compare Dylan’s performance with Woody Guthrie’s rendition of “So Long, It’s Been
   Good to Know You” (LG 14.5). Consider vocal style, guitar technique, rhythm and
   phrasing, and any other aspects that catch your attention.


2. Compare the music, lyrics, and social function of “If I Had a Hammer,” the other topical
   song in this chapter (see LG 17.5), with those of this song.

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