Dylan, Bob - Changing Of The Guards Lyrics






Sixteen years
Sixteen banners united over the field
Where the good shepherd grieves
Desperate men, desperate women divided
Spreading their wings 'neath falling leaves

Fortune calls
I stepped forth from the shadows to the marketplace
Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down
She's smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born
On midsummer's eve near the tower

The cold-blooded moon
The captain waits above the celebration
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
Whose ebony face is beyond communication
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid

They shaved her head
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn't help but follow
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil

I stumbled to my feet
I rode past destruction in the ditches
With the stitches still mending beneath a heart-shaped tattoo
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
Were handing out the flowers that I'd given to you

The palace of mirrors
Where dog soldiers are reflected
The endless road and the wailing of chimes
The empty rooms where her memory is protected
Where the angel's voices whisper to the souls of previous times

She wakes him up
Forty-eight hours later the sun is breaking
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks
She's begging to know what measures he now will be taking
He's pulling her down and she's clutching on to his long golden locks
Gentlemen, he said I don't need your organization, I've shined your shoes
I've moved your mountains and marked your cards
But Eden is burning either get ready for elimination
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards

Peace will come
With tranquillity and splendor on the wheels of fire
But will offer no reward when her false idols fall
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Between the King and the Queen of Swords





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Dylan, Bob Changing Of The Guards Comments
  1. C.... H....

    We love you bob but you never got over the white man bad black man good even though most black people never listen to your music but white guy's still gave you a pass

  2. J.... S....

    love this!

  3. D.... B....

    Love this song..The imagery jumps of the record and into your head.  The entire album has been overlooked amidst his canon.

  4. m.... c....

    Ive been a hardcore Dylan fan since 1970 and this is one of my top 5 Dylan albums..The horns and the back up vocals are just great!

  5. K.... J....

    yeah bob i love you sow much

  6. 6.... �....

    唐人街探案的 泰语翻唱也不错

  7. M.... P....

    Thanks!

  8. D.... G....

    CHORDS:

    Ab ..

    Fm-Ab-Eb- Fm
    Db-Eb-Fm
    Ab-Eb-Fm
    Db-Eb-Ab (x2)

    Instr : Ab-Eb-Db / Eb-Ab-Eb-Db / Eb-Ab-Eb-Db / Eb-Ab

  9. C.... H....

    Bought this album when it came out on vinyl still got it ageless

  10. B.... M....

    Seems like an eternal melody and we just hear a section that fades in and fades out.

  11. E.... S....

    My father was a member of the Bob Dylan fan club and I'm here to say this is another great example of a time we'll spent

  12. T.... W....

    16 years....💕 My brother showed me this ,many many years ago. Still tuning in. Always reminds me of our Luke ♥️

  13. R.... R....

    0% sex
    0% explicit language
    100% awesome

  14. D.... T....

    Shakespeare shit

  15. L.... L....

    In this album Dylan's voice resembles a lament, a cry. Reaches Homeric latitudes. There is no poetry without suffering

  16. T.... T....

    Turn your back on me and make believe that
    you're always happy- it's safe to say you're never alive a big part of you has died, and by the way, I hope you're satisfied https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opU1urLhw50

  17. P.... ....

    The Best version and performance of this Song is on the Movie: Mary, Queen of Scots, ending credits. (2013 film) Starring the English noob Camille Rutherford. And it can't be performed any better by any other, indeed.



    The song covers the life of Christ, from before his birth to after the resurrection. Its primary concern is Christ’s institution of a new order to replace the covenant between Moses and God – the ‘last deal’ which has failed or ‘gone down’*. This need results from the continuing prevalence of corruption represented in the song by:

    ‘Merchants and thieves, hungry for power…’

    Although the song makes reference to incidents connected with the life of Christ, in themselves these are of secondary significance. Of more direct importance is the speech he gives at the end which makes it clear that his audience has a stark choice between life and ‘elimination’. Nevertheless, the earlier part is important for the use it makes of a number of stylistic innovations including such things as a deliberate anachronism and the inconsistent use of personal pronouns. These innovations serve to present life and existence generally as a unified whole. The implication is that those who don’t acknowledge this unity and set themselves apart, are as good as dead. Accordingly, the events alluded to in the earlier parts of the song indirectly help to establish the main theme, the choice between life and death.

    Although Christ’s resurrection is a defeat for the old order, it’s only a partial victory for him. While there’s a hint that complete victory will eventually be accomplished, the song ends with an implicit threat of a further battle.


    Theme: A New Order

    The main theme of the song is, then, Christ’s institution of a new order and its upshot. We learn this in the final two verses. For reasons which will become clear, it’s apparent that the speaker in these verses is Christ. In his divine capacity he reproaches the representatives of the old order, implying that it’s worthless:

    ‘I don’t need your organisation …’

    He then speaks as man:

  18. E.... G....

    The stitches still mending...'neath a heart shaped tattoo.

  19. D.... P....

    https://youtu.be/aD74q_BKzig

  20. B.... S....

    Dylan, no top or bottom, no end or beginning, he's here for eternity to hear his greatness, the closest we have to hearing god is BOB DYLAN BABY!!!

  21. D.... K....

    Late 70's in Amsterdam, me and my brother listened this song so much, bringing back good memories, we were so young than.

  22. r.... m....

    Never underrated

  23. �.... �....

    ตาผุยชุมแพ แกส่งลูกเรียน
    เรียนอยู่ปีสุดท้าย

  24. m.... a....

    No me canso de escucharla
    Es mi favorita esta cancion

  25. K.... J....

    41 yeqrs ago mama bought my this street legal album to gugh granpas death and i was 13 when i fall in love wth you bob erotic not platons love

  26. K.... J....

    i was 16 when i lefft my home and family because i was boxers bag for my mother and half a brother just forgot they mean characters psihopats

  27. E.... D....

    supernatural song. Dylan said: "It means something different every time I sing it. 'Changing of the Guards' is a thousand years old'".

    E.... D....

    great songs have many facets.

  28. A.... G....

    original mix?

  29. b.... b....

    best fookin Dylan song

  30. i.... ....

    that opening line SIXTEEN YEARS so simple and yet so powerful, even now after all these years I keep finding stuff in this song, a master piece

  31. G.... S....

    I've more orless grown up listening to this song
    An I'm so proud to have the privilege to have this music played in my life span on earth.
    Absolutely fantastic.
    THANK YOU

  32. A.... K....

    I was in my mother's belly when i first heard this song and still notice something new in his songs now and then❤ Dylan is a genius!

  33. �.... ....

    内面宇宙 聖霊様の家が燃えていて コアラとカンガルー

  34. �.... ....

    僕は 関係ないもん

  35. �.... ....

    永遠に 焼かれる苦しみは 毎回。しんせん

  36. �.... ....

    焼かれるに 聖霊様より

  37. �.... ....

    まるで 今を歌う
    はm

  38. N.... X....

    This song cruises.

  39. T.... S....

    Very best of Bob Dylan

  40. r.... ....

    "But Eden is burning! Either get ready for elimination or your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards." When Bob is right, he's very, very right.

  41. l.... v....

    Quanti ricordi 😪💔😪

  42. A.... v....

    Een v,an mijn favorieten dylan songs

  43. H.... D....

    A high school friend (Alan Pasqua) playas keyboards on the LP/tour so I was more interested in it than the Dylan LPs. This song was and is a standout. There are so many interesting aspects it's hard to list them all. I think he reached his peak right here. Then he found Jesus...

  44. M.... S....

    At that I was the only one who had the album. Vinyl sure. Great song. Still love it.

  45. J.... M....

    This is a wonderful song (one more) by the Great Bob Dylan. A true legend.

  46. m.... c....

    One of Bobs best Albums but for some reason people dont seem to get it. Too bad! Ive been listening to Street Legal for 40 years....Love it...

    m.... c....

    Me too .i still have the cassette on stereo 7...!,

  47. A.... A....

    I have a different version, that sounds similar but kinda more modern, like remastered or remixed but the voice is not the same take, this sound a little like a live version.

    A.... A....

    This sounds like the original vinyl which I have not played in years. Time to dig it out of the storage box I think!

  48. D.... B....

    I thought this was orginally a The Gaslight Anthem song only to find out recently its Bob Dylan. Gaslight does a great cover

  49. M.... S....

    coisa linda!

  50. T.... B....

    I love that song - since 15 years, for the next 15 years...and again and again 😍

  51. A.... E....

    My favourite track.. never truly understood it, but I can close my eyes and see the imagery. Like game of thrones in music?

  52. L.... D....

    Such a powerfull song..

  53. L.... O....

    Este tema lo escuché por primera vez en la radio nacional de Chile en programa motocros musical la radio que el triste y célebre acato en el 73

  54. L.... H....

    It makes me feel so good when I listen this song! Very good vibrations!!!!!

  55. B.... ....

    Is it me, or does the audio in here sound thin and underwhelming?

  56. R.... A....

    Bob Dylan é um poeta fazendo musica? Ou um músico fazendo poesia? Acho que é tudo isso e muito mais

  57. R.... N....

    Bob Dylan est le chef d'oeuvre de la nature, la perle des chanteurs.👑

  58. d.... b....

    mountain laurel and rolling rocks

  59. M.... M....

    Me había olvidado de que está canción me aburre tanto como rocking un a free way.. pero que me ambas gusta su mensajenseñanza.

  60. s.... ....

    Love Street Legal....my favourite BD album...

  61. C.... E....

    Personaggio. Storico. Mi sarebbe piaciuto conoscere

  62. C.... D....

    Still can't believe this guy didn't stay acoustic... ;)

  63. 1.... ....

    I have been digging this tune for 40 years Rock on Bob

  64. D.... S....

    This song should be studied by literature, poetry and writing classes in every school. Anyone wanting to write a novel or screenplay can do no better than to study this song, and a few dozen others of Dylan's in preparation of their writing careers

  65. m.... d....

    https://youtu.be/jrP5kklJPDM

  66. V.... P....

    Brilliant as ever

  67. M.... P....

    Simpson desert

  68. O.... M....

    "backwards up the staircase, past the angel with three faces" - Angelina, if my memory serves me right. Wasn't the one with the wildest cat from Montana passing by the woman in a bright green dress either.

  69. J.... S....

    I adore this song of which I know the lyrics by heart since I was a young adult, decades ago. The lyrics are among the best in music history, his hoarse voice, the chorus, ... I collect the 7' versions of this record, have more than 100 copies, many are doubles of course. This is how good I think it is. Greetings.

  70. J.... D....

    saw him do it live in Toledo. He was amazing. Saw him outside by the bus afterwards. he was really exhuasted after that performance. we just stood there in silence and wathced him walk to the bus. amazing record. amazing song. how do you write them? I met him once and talked alone with him. I can't hardly belive he wrote this and Blown in the Wind. He was very nice and shook hands. Almost a biblical song. Heading up to Slow Train. no one ever wrote songs like this.

    J.... D....

    John Desmond wow if took me years to finally arrive on the second row two nights in a row and oddly I went both nights without a ticket.

    J.... D....

    @David Seals you didn't have to pay? wow. I met Bob the day he was working on the vid for Political World. That was in Bloomington, IN. He knows Mellencamp and those guys so he came there. A day before Tks giving. dead campus. we were outsdie talking and none of the studients walking by even noticed him. didn't have much time. in the vid, all of those people in the banquet etc were not there that day. I think taht was probably done in Hollywood. they never saw Dylan. his part was edited in. the guy you see performing on stage is not exactly the guy I talked with. and I'm not in the media so he was not defensive. He is very intelligent and I think he realizes he could have done more with his life. he even mentions that in a song. the fame thing is out of control. but he deserves respect as a very interesting and diverse song writer. Nice shaking hands and chatting just a bit. i've only had real good seats once. and a very weird show. tks

    J.... D....

    John Desmond I missed buying tickets the day they went on sale so I was beyond bummed out to see they were sold out and I thought about taking the dingy to the show and be one of “the boat people” and watch from there but decided instead to just go and sit outside near the stage and just listen to the show. I run into a guy with two tickets he wants to sell for $120 each and I asked what is the face value on them and he said $290 they’re on the seventh row and I said I’ll take one and went inside and watched for someone to leave early. And I see this couple get up and they have everything with them jackets, purse, ect. so I upgraded to the second row.
    Before moving up a guy sat down beside me and I said, I know you got your ticket from the same guy I got mine from, how much did you pay for it and he said $90. So the next night I decide that last night went so well I think I’ll try again and I went to the bank and took out $100 and put only $90 in a pocket by itself. I’m wondering around and run into the same guy and he says what are you doing here again and I said well, I didn’t expect to see you again and you must have a ticket and he said yes and I’ll give it to you for $120 just like last night and I say I wish I could but all I have is $90 as I pull it out and show him. He said okay and then everything was a repeat of the night before.
    I tried after the show to blend in with the people who paid for a Meet-N-Greet and was almost backstage when at the last moment someone realized I wasn’t part of the group and asked me for my ticket and I just said, I hope you don’t blame me for trying. And I called it a night.
    BTW this was June 13, 14 2016. And both shows were great.

  71. F.... F....

    Amo essa música

  72. n.... ....

    Amazing! 👍 Here is what happens when stirring music meets forceful vocals. Long live Dylan! Young ppl take notice.

  73. a.... r....

    en mi época cada ves que sonaba ese tema ,,dios,nadie quedaba sentado para bailarlo ..tengo 50 años y me sigue pegando ,,saludos de avellaneda buenos aires

  74. M.... C....

    send it to avennatti and Cohen ...two lying weasels

  75. T.... C....

    👍💖💫💚

  76. M.... G....

    One of my favorite Dylan songs oat!

  77. M.... J....

    TRUE STORY...

  78. I.... S....

    Yeah, so many things can come to mind about this song. One is possible connection between events in 1495 in Viipuri or Vyborg and atu 16. The figure appears also in the famous song Sweet Little Sixteen, and naturally it also emphasizes the legal limit.

  79. �.... ....

    みんなの魂の感性が 聖霊様に操作されてるよ🎵 わからないだろうね(笑)
    絶対なのだから 聖霊様🐔
    🐔そうや👍

  80. �.... ....

    thank-you verymuch by holy spirit🐔⤴️

  81. �.... ....

    何が 始まるよ
    …ユイヒンの信じる 皆が幸せになる 何かが 食うに困らんもん 出来るはず
    大丈夫やに~🐼

  82. r.... p....

    Tarot cards....

  83. �.... ....

    全ての愛は 形にすることで神様に捧げ返すものとなる
    受け取った 頃やに~YouTube様

  84. �.... ....

    あの頃の 光
    thanks YouTube様🐔

  85. B.... ....

    This guy has always been about 250 years ahead of every body else

  86. E.... B....

    magnificent!

  87. G.... L....

    Underrated for sure. Best Dylan song out there. Absolute brilliance!! Thank you Mr. Dylan

  88. g.... ....

    Great song. Format reminds me of Lili Rosemary

  89. N.... C....

    Um dos melhores cantores e compositores da historia da musica a nivel mumdial

  90. K.... J....

    i had 16 years when left home i am sculptor and artist now i no regret sucrifize my youth for at/rt bob dylan i am woman of your kind so marry me is so simple it wpll be love on first sight bob

  91. P.... M....

    bought 2 of these 12 inch singles when ,it came out

  92. L.... C....

    Love it. I listen three times so far. Thanks for sharing....Lloyd :)

  93. F.... A....

    BOA TARDE SEM COM MENTARIOS FANTASTICO MUITO BOM ESSE QUADRO MUSICAL BELISMO FRANCISCO .

  94. J.... W....

    If i could stand again I would uncover my congas and play my heart out.

  95. W.... S....

    what a voice, this is a wonderful song!!!

  96. M.... S....

    Great album, great sound, I like it loud