This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Well, you must leave now, take what you need, you think will last
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out, the saints are comin' through
And it's all over now, baby blue
Well, the highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
Take what you have gathered from coincidence
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
The sky, too, is folding under you
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue
All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
All your reindeer armies, they're all going home
The lover who has just walked out the door
Has taken all of his blankets from the floor
The carpet, too, is moving under you
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue
Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you
Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore
Strike another match, go start anew
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue
But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast
Yonder stands your orphan with his gun
Crying like a fire in the sun
Look out, the saints are comin' through
And it's all over now, baby blue
Well, the highway is for gamblers, better use your sense
Take what you have gathered from coincidence
The empty-handed painter from your streets
Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets
The sky, too, is folding under you
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue
All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home
All your reindeer armies, they're all going home
The lover who has just walked out the door
Has taken all of his blankets from the floor
The carpet, too, is moving under you
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue
Leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you
Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you
The vagabond who's rapping at your door
Is standing in the clothes that you once wore
Strike another match, go start anew
Yes, and it's all over now, baby blue
Lyrics submitted by bird, edited by rb3868, bertram114
It's All Over Now, Baby Blue Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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Great version of a great song,
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This song is about the Cuban Revolution, when Castro ('your orphan with his gun") and his guerillas ("the saints") tossed out the mob run casinos ('gamblers), who had to hit the 'highway', and also tossed out the US backed puppet government (baby blue), who had to 'row' to exile in Miami. Ultimately, as we know, Castro took over the govt. of Cuba ('the vagabond..standing in the clothes that you once wore.")
really, alt? that's interesting. did you come up with that or did you find it yrself. i dig the interpretation anyhow..whether it be true or not.
Interesting!
yeah right.
It's possible to come up w/ any interpretation that fits. OK, for the hell of it, I could say it is the end of a drug addicition, it is the end of an affair, it is the end of the conservative 50's establishment, it is the end of the military-industrial complex. So, yeah, it could be about Cuba. Kind of late in the game, though, right? Four years later. Why would he care about Cuba in 1965? Dylan got tired of playing w/ the political ball anyway. He no longer wanted that label. His music since really wasn't that overtly political anyway. I think it is a F/U to the folk movement.