Bob Dylan - Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts Lyrics
The festival was over and the boys were all planning for a fall
The cabaret was quiet except for the drilling in the wall
The curfew had been lifted and the gambling wheel shut down
Anyone with any sense had already left town
He was standing in the doorway looking like the Jack of Hearts.
He moved across the mirrored room "Set it up for everyone" he said
Then everyone commenced to do what they were doin' before he turned their heads
Then he walked up to a stranger and he asked him with a grin
"Could you kindly tell me friend what time the show begins ?"
Then he moved into the corner face down like the Jack of Hearts.
Backstage the girls were playing five card stud by the stairs
Lily had two queens she was hoping for a third to match her pair
Outside the streets were filling up, the window was open wide
A gentle breeze was blowing, you could feel it from inside
Big Jim was no one's fool, he owned the town's only diamond mine
He made his usual entrance looking so dandy and so fine
With his bodyguards and silver cane and every hair in place
He took whatever he wanted to and he laid it all to waste
But his bodyguards and silver cane were no match for the Jack of Hearts.
Rosemary combed her hair and took a carriage into town
She slipped in through the side door looking like a queen without a crown
She fluttered her false eyelashes and whispered in his ear
"Sorry darling, that I'm late", but he didn't seem to hear
He was staring into space over at the Jack of Hearts.
"I know I've seen that face somewhere" Big Jim was thinking to himself
"Maybe down in Mexico or a picture up on somebody's shelf"
But then the crowd began to stamp their feet and the house lights did dim
And in the darkness of the room there was only Jim and him
Staring at the butterfly who just drew the Jack of Hearts.
Lily was a princess she was fair-skinned and precious as a child
She did whatever she had to do she had that certain flash every time she smiled
She'd come away from a broken home had lots of strange affairs
With men in every walk of life which took her everywhere
But she'd never met anyone quite like the Jack of Hearts.
The hanging judge came in unnoticed and was being wined and dined
The drilling in the wall kept up but no one seemed to pay it any mind
It was known all around that Lily had Jim's ring
And nothing would ever come between Lily and the king
No nothing ever would except maybe the Jack of Hearts.
Rosemary started drinking hard and seeing her reflection in the knife
She was tired of the attention tired of playing the role of Big Jim's wife
She had done a lot of bad things even once tried suicide
Was looking to do just one good deed before she died
She was gazing to the future riding on the Jack of Hearts.
Lily took her dress off and buried it away
"Has your luck run out?" she laughed at him.
"Well I guess you must have known it would someday
Be careful not to touch the wall there's a brand new coat of paint
I'm glad to see you're still alive you're looking like a saint"
Down the hallway footsteps were coming for the Jack of Hearts.
The backstage manager was pacing all around by his chair
"There's something funny going on" he said " I can just feel it in the air"
He went to get the hanging judge but the hanging judge was drunk
As the leading actor hurried by in the costume of a monk
There was no actor anywhere better than the Jack of Hearts.
No one knew the circumstance, but they say it happened pretty quick
The door to the dressing room burst open a Colt revolver clicked
And Big Jim was standing there you couldn't say surprised
Rosemary right beside him study in her eyes
She was with Big Jim but she was leaning to the Jack of Hearts.
Two doors down the boys finally made it through the wall
And cleaned out the bank safe it's said that they got off with quite a haul
In the darkness by the riverbed they waited on the ground
For one more member who had business back in town
But they couldn't go no further without the Jack of Hearts.
The next day was hanging day the sky was overcast and black
Big Jim lay covered up killed by a penknife in the back
And Rosemary on the gallows she didn't even blink
The hanging judge was sober he hadn't had a drink
The only person on the scene missing was the Jack of Hearts.
The cabaret was empty now a sign said. "Closed for repair"
Lily had already taken all of the dye out of her hair
She was thinking about her father who she very rarely saw
Thinking about Rosemary and thinking about the law
But most of all she was thinking about the Jack of Hearts.
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Rand Lyrics
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Bob Dylan Lily, Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts Comments
My 10 Favorite Bob Dylan Songs
10. Hurricane
9. Tangled Up In Blue
8. Don't Think Twice It's Alright
7. The Times They Are A Changin'
6. Subterranean Homesick Blues
5. Rainy Day Women 12&35
4. Positively 4th Street
3. Desolation Row
2. Like A Rolling Stone
1. Lily Rosemary And The Jack Of Hearts
This Album Is A Masterpiece~
Only way I had to listen to this record was with my record player which is not working right now, glad it's on youtube !
One wishes to have been a Jack of Hearts at some point in life, there and then. Thank you for sharing.
this tune is awesome, I think this is the song Bob called Joan about, the reference in the diamonds and rust tune, he called from a booth in the midwest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN-BaWqOMWM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3HaUjH6NIrdQSEVslbhhmL1R12Yc-gW-cdFcJbWh71Ns90TOPhA4Czf28
..... So authentic, I cut my own leg with my opposite spur, taking a lean back and a crossed legged style, to my own detriment.... Say Hi to Jacob, I recall and appreciate the kindness he showed my young son & I.
Is this a screenplay?
Grab some popcorn, sit back in your favorite reclining chair, put your headphones on and enjoy the movie!
The lyrics are so good they evoke a picture for every line. Visual music. And it just never gets old.
Rosemary combed her hair and took a cabbage into town
Canny beat Dylan.
A true poet singer
Of all the great dongs Bob Dylan has ever made... This one is my favorite
my first husband frank was a gambler he comitted suicide 16 years ago the other uri hang himself i am widow twice both comitted suicide but i am free so bob you could marry me
yeah bob
yeah bob you are lucky luke and i am on of brothers dalton
i wish to see my reflection in your eyes bob dylan
dont stay on doorway come in bob
yeah bob
They say Bob can't seem good, but his voice is perfect for his songs!
Always thought his voice was pretty perfect for his songs.
2:38 "Rosemary combed her hair and took a cabbage into town"
carriage
@Daniel Rich I knew it was carriage but its a good missheard lyric.
Sheer joy!
💖💫💚🎵💙🎶💜✨🌈
Great Artist..I seen him with Tom Petty At reunion arena Dallas They played together separate and backed each other up Heart breakers were back them up the whole time . WOW is all I can say...One of many Concerts I sen with Phil Hichinbothen...Rest in Peace Tom and Phil ........
Why is there not a music video based on this?
Or movie?
Can someone explain the whole meaning of the song.
There's a loose interpretation of it on Wikipedia under the name of the song.
To see the view some where along the tracks,soaked with blood and despair. Knowing the end won't be pretty.
Not sure how this masterpiece evaded me for so many decades but today was the first time I heard it.
"Rosemary started drinking hard and seeing her reflection in the knives" - Holy shit what a lyric!
He made his usually entrance dandy fine ha
An entire western movie in one song, a script that would suit the likes of Tarantino. Song goes on and on, but never tires me.
This song should be made into a movie.
Pure GENIUS!! No scholar, nor academic, could even come close to this man's connection with life!!!
Dylan didn't get a Nobel for nuttin....
It's a good un !
Perfect!
why did rosemary take a cabbage into town? that one always baffles me:-(
Take a carriage into town
@Timothy Losee i prefer cabbage
He is the best that ever picked up a microphone.
Bought this album only last week 44 years to late for me but my brother bought it new 44 years ago he was always ahead of his time when it came to this sort of stuff, great album.
Der Scharfrichter kam unbemerkt herein und ihm wurde Wein und Essen serviert
https://lyricstranslate.com
Classic railroad beat drum song I Love It., Bob's country time I guess!
What a nice way to spend 8:52 this morning. Thanks! I always liked this song. Glad to see it online.
rosemary combed her hair and took a cabbage into town
Maybe carrage, ie. coach or wagon
Interesting to try to piece this song together line by line so it presents a coherent picture of events. It can't be done. The Jack of Hearts throws a wrench into the works.
I know I seen that face before big Jim was thinking to himself. Bought this album when I got out of jail in 1977 or 78. I dont know cant remember what year it was. But it was around then. Seen him in concert in Lexington, Ky. Greatest poet of this generation. Period
lol-when I was dancing at the Mint,N.Miami,1970's..the other dancers only let this song stay on jukebox 1week-Iwas the only one that could clog dance..and still make tips..me and my giant lace red shawl...
they should make a movie about this song :D
The whole story must be a secondary mission in Red Dead Redemption 2. (including the song )
Full of the Holy Spirit.
I think this song inspired Dire Straits "Walk of Life" . The organ sounds the same, and the DS title is a quote from the lyrics.
Addictive!
Thnx....n....I Love You Too<<<<<>>>>LIKE A DRUG<<<<<<<< ! !
this was my wedding song
Top Ten Dylans
10 - One too Many Mornings
9 - I'll be Your Baby Tonight
8 - She's Belongs to Me
7 - Just Like A Woman
6 - Rosemary, Lily, and the Jack of Hearts
5 - Gotta Serve Somebody
4 - Bob Dylan's 115th Dream
3 - Lord, Protect My Child
2 - Brownsville Girl
1 - Tangled Up in Blue
Such a fantastic story told
I luv it
😍❤
Awesomeness
Never understood why this song has not been made into a movie, sure would be a good one. Really good to have some original Dylan, thanks, enjoy.............
Just one of Bob's best albums.....I love his voice.
This may be the greatest album ever made. It's surely a contender.
Thanks 😊☺️😘 n I love you too... I love
My Baby 😍❤️❣️💖 ❣️😍💕💕 💕
Girl... FOREVER ❣️❣️💖 ❣️😍 and... EVER...mmm ...n I love you Sting bcuz...
Yo you Have a HEART
That has the SHAPE...
I LOVE...... FOREVER ❤️❣️😍 and... EVER... ! !
Very beautiful poetry, great BD🌻🌿🙏
I have owned this album since new. Love it, every song is a masterpiece. Great song and a great title.
im in a dog fight with lilly
My brother loves jack of hearts word for word he was 13 in 1973 my dad interested him in bobby
So many times I've been talking to friends....or just thinking to myself....and a Dylan song will be playing, and I'll say (or think)...."Oh yeah....YES...... THIS is his greatest song." And that thought will sink into my brain/heart/soul for about 24 seconds, and I'll say, or think, "Well....except for....and then name another Dylan masterpiece, and except for, and except for......and in a couple of minutes, literally 30 or 40 of Bob's songs will have popped into my head. I will say this one has been "Bob's best....rather MY favorite, and it has been in the "except for" category. Good God, I've been listening to him for about 48 or 49 years, and I'm still just shell-shocked by his brilliant performances. Hey Bob - Thanks.
Thanks 😊😘 again.. my favorite card because in Sheeps Head it BEATS the Jack of Diamonds ! !
Thanks again..this is my favorite BobDylan song besides Pat Garett n Billy the Kids original "Knockin on Heaven's Door"...there are so Many ! !.....
"Anyone with any sense had already left town." Sums up my life.
I think Tarantino could pick this one up.
I would be very interested in seeing that happen.
As my thoughts fade away
I can see a distant day
when they will return again
As you are my friend
I can not comprehend
How i ended up this way
Stay off the cider !
Dylan, at his best storytelling self. Love it!
Love Bob forever and ever. One of my top 5 artists ever. And this album is my #1 from him.Thanks for sharing this.
Bob looks here like a Chopin by the piano to me :)
I love you, Bob 💕
and looked once again in the mirror
it's no disgrace to see your face in a mirror
many people have including Julius Ceasar
if you take away the mirror
who will you become
a poet who stood against the wind
who never committed no sin
and looked again in the mirror
ask me why i gave this song a thumbs down that i have loved to lisen to for years
Because the video description doesn't include the full lyrics.
Eine seiner besten Balladen, die schon längdt zu einem Evergreen geworden sind.
sorry for the interruption.. but , at 2:40..is rosemary taking a cabbage to town?
carriage
@filthyphillyboy ..yes I know. but, it sounds like cabbage.
So, when's the movie out?
In Top five favorite Dylan songs. Pure genius.
Thats a truly jaunty standup sounding bassline.
"...he moved into the corner and lay facedown like the Jack of Hearts ..."
Gets me every time.
Señor Bob !!!
Someone should make a movie based on this song.I wish I knew how.
Great song! Thanks for posting.
Finally the original!
I fucking love this song. He's such a great story teller.
No doubt the best album ever produced -- surely Bob shed his blood all over those tracks !
i always tookthis somg as a break from all the heartache and anger with himself and sara he poured out on the rest of the album. apparantly he made another very dark group of songs that shocked his pick up practice band but never recorded any of it. this is the classic era music as therapy for bd.
The greatest album ever, start to finish? (I'm not even that big of a Dylan fan, but darn near every song is a masterpiece.)
Love and so
Amazing fact: Dylan has played this classic live ONLY ONCE, in 1975. Why hasn't this been made into a movie? I know, Dylan would never allow it, but damn, every time you listen to it you come up with a different ending. it would make an incredible movie!
This is as good as it gets for the great man
My favorite Bob Dylan song.
If you rob me, you rob everyone. I just want to make it clear that I'm not an island, and God will still be in all of your heads controlling your every word even after I'm dead and gone. God is a psycho. If you don't catch a murderer and a rapist and a thief then what happens? What happens when they blame innocent people whom they've manipulated and pulled the strings upon? Do you really have any mercy for those whom God twists the minds of to pull the triggers? Do you call death sentences and life sentences "forgiveness"? See, you think you already got something here from God- but I'm looking at all your baskets and they are empty. You got nothing. No mercy. No forgiveness. Nothing. Not even any understanding. At all. Ever. Then you continue to call God perfect for giving you this bounty- is this correct?
All I remember is you Little Schoolboys robbing the safe. Through the wall. Like the Chinese rob my people to this day- https://tibetanholocaust.wordpress.com/ And you sold 200 million dollars worth of postcards of the hanging. My hanging. But look how many different styles I can be painted in! I can also cross dress too!!
I also have a whole other book of YouTube comments I've made over the years to people- crazy people. Psychos. But perhaps not representative of the whole. I see all you get are nice people who respect you commenting here- I never talk to those sorts of people and maybe they were kind enough not to argue with me or put me down to begin with. I think the bulk of the comments and arguments were made to younger men- who are the bane to all of peaceful societies' existences without a doubt for good reason. Even without their fists and guns they are still dangerous and want to rule with little wisdom, but all ego.
"The Mustagh Tower was over, the ropes had all been sold or coiled away..."
What is that from?
Entre mi top 10 de canciones de Bob y eso que es tarea inhumana hacerlo...