The Simpler, The Better

Bob Dylan - Knockin On Heavens Door

Mama, take this badge off of me
I can't use it anymore.
It's gettin' dark, too dark for me to see
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

Mama, put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot them anymore.
That long black cloud is comin' down
I feel like I'm knockin' on heaven's door.

Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door
Knock, knock, knockin' on heaven's door

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So what's this song saying to you?
Is it just a cowboys' lament as he lays dying?
Is it love of which he cries?

It is so simple in the words and melody - ah, but it's pure Grace.
Bobby has a way with the words, doesn't he?

Just as any artist can invoke different feeling in different people, Mr. Dylan can make you taste many emotions with something so simple it defies you to leave it alone.

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Cry Baby - The Beatles

Cry baby cry
Make your mother sigh
She's old enough to know better.

The king of Marigold was in the kitchen
Cooking breakfast for the queen
The queen was in the parlour
Playing piano for the children of the king.

Cry baby cry
Make your mother sigh
She's old enough to know better
So cry baby cry.

The king was in the garden
Picking flowers for a friend who came to play
The queen was in the playroom
Painting pictures for the childrens holiday.

Cry baby cry
Make your mother sigh
She's old enough to know better
So cry baby cry.

The duchess of Kircaldy always smiling
And arriving late for tea (George hits a note with strong vibrato)
The duke was having problems
With a message at the local bird and bee. (Now George plays a four note sting)

Cry baby cry
Make your mother sigh
She's old enough to know better
So cry baby cry.

At twelve o'clock a meeting round the table
For a seance in the dark
With voices out of nowhere
Put on specially by the children for a lark.

Cry baby cry
Make your mother sigh
She's old enough to know better
So cry baby cry cry cry cry baby
Make your mother sigh.

She's old enough to know better
Cry baby cry
cry cry cry
Make your mother sigh
She's old enough to know better (The harmonies here rival any Beachboys or CSNY)
So cry baby cry.

Can you take me back where I came from?
Can you take me back?
Can you take me back where I came from?
Brother can you take me back?
Can you take me back?
Oooh, can you take me where I came from?
Can you take me back?


Since the words are eloquent on their own in this case, it's the music that must simplify.
George plays all of five notes...they draw chills.
They come towards the end of the tune as the tension has been steadily building.
What a masterful use of both the word smiths craft and that of composer and performer.