Oxford Town

Bob Dylan

Oxford Town, Oxford Town
Everybody's got their heads bowed down
The sun don't shine above the ground
Ain't a-goin' down to Oxford Town

He went down to Oxford Town
Guns and clubs followed him down
All because his face was brown
Better get away from Oxford Town

Oxford Town around the bend
Come to the door, he couldn't get in
All because of the color of his skin
What do you think about that, my friend?

Me and my gal, my gal's son
We got met with a tear gas bomb
I don't even know why we come
Goin' back where we come from

Oxford Town in the afternoon
Everybody singin' a sorrowful tune
Two men died 'neath the Mississippi moon
Somebody better investigate soon


Lyrics submitted by Jack

Oxford Town Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Oxford Town song meanings
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10 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment
    But specifically about the integration of the University of Mississippi and James Meredith.
    UnpopularPoeton January 14, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    It is about James Meredith, like UnpopularPoet said. We listened to it in history :D. That's how I discovered Bob Dylan, and now he's one of my all time favourites.
    devilish_leoon November 25, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    you bet your sweet ass
    WalrusManon September 28, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i think it is about racism. it is pretty obvious
    cool_guy176on October 01, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    its about the murders from that movie Missisipi Burning im pretty sure
    Dhoffa22on January 22, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    was mississppi burning made by then? but anyway it is an awesome song - could have been longer if anything tho
    cartlidgeon October 04, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    althought it is highly likely it's oxford, MS... there is also an oxford, NJ still know for the KKK...
    shejustwantstorockon November 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    i live in oxford nc which is notorious for its racial history (blood done sign my name was written about the town). i like to think its about my home town, although i doubt it :)
    uialtumon September 07, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    "whaddaya think about that ma frien'?" ha i love that line. i know this song is not supposed to be funny/happy/cute but the way bob sings it always makes me smile. and the way the lyrics are so clever and unforced... ahh why did bob have to come along and be so amazing that everything else is shit in comparison? too bad he got tired of these "topical" songs just as soon as he churned them out :(
    jasssson February 13, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    It's about the desegregation of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in Oxford, MS and the race riots that broke out in the fall of 1962 on campus following James Meredith's enrollment. Two good short docs can be found about it here - youtube.com/…
    LeftyWilburyon February 17, 2010   Link

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