I always thought this song was symbolically important given it's context. Self Portrait is my favorite Dylan album and in my opinion does a better job summing him up than any biography would later to prove to (including Biograph and Chronicles). To begin the album 'Self Portrait' he composes All The Tired Horses- a song he arranged and wrote yet does not have a voice in. One of a handful of songs on his albums where he does not sing, but the only one where someone else sings and he is absent.
Given it's placement on the album and the album which it is on the implication is that this is either the backdrop of his life- or extending the metaphor- the blank canvas against which his likeness is composed. Fittingly the album is constructed of various standards he has re-tooled in his own fashion as well as a few of his classics performed live. All the Tired Horses is reminiscent of a hymn or work song- which ultimately were the birth parents of modern American folk and country music.
All the Tired Horses seems to be Dylan reconstructing the birth of both him ad his music.
nigelmustapha, thanks for your perceptive comments on this song, which has become a favorite of mine. I only have one slight comment on your comment, which is that I don't think Dylan is absent, I think he's playing guitar.
nigelmustapha, thanks for your perceptive comments on this song, which has become a favorite of mine. I only have one slight comment on your comment, which is that I don't think Dylan is absent, I think he's playing guitar.
To me I think he is portraying as you grow in life it is the same day over and over and as it progresses there is a difference because of the different melodies that add to the compilation of this song from beginning to end. As you grow it is simple at first and then more instrumental music comes into play and slowly fades as you finally die. Such a beautiful song, so glad I can across it.
To me I think he is portraying as you grow in life it is the same day over and over and as it progresses there is a difference because of the different melodies that add to the compilation of this song from beginning to end. As you grow it is simple at first and then more instrumental music comes into play and slowly fades as you finally die. Such a beautiful song, so glad I can across it.
I always thought this song was symbolically important given it's context. Self Portrait is my favorite Dylan album and in my opinion does a better job summing him up than any biography would later to prove to (including Biograph and Chronicles). To begin the album 'Self Portrait' he composes All The Tired Horses- a song he arranged and wrote yet does not have a voice in. One of a handful of songs on his albums where he does not sing, but the only one where someone else sings and he is absent. Given it's placement on the album and the album which it is on the implication is that this is either the backdrop of his life- or extending the metaphor- the blank canvas against which his likeness is composed. Fittingly the album is constructed of various standards he has re-tooled in his own fashion as well as a few of his classics performed live. All the Tired Horses is reminiscent of a hymn or work song- which ultimately were the birth parents of modern American folk and country music. All the Tired Horses seems to be Dylan reconstructing the birth of both him ad his music.
nigelmustapha, thanks for your perceptive comments on this song, which has become a favorite of mine. I only have one slight comment on your comment, which is that I don't think Dylan is absent, I think he's playing guitar.
nigelmustapha, thanks for your perceptive comments on this song, which has become a favorite of mine. I only have one slight comment on your comment, which is that I don't think Dylan is absent, I think he's playing guitar.
To me I think he is portraying as you grow in life it is the same day over and over and as it progresses there is a difference because of the different melodies that add to the compilation of this song from beginning to end. As you grow it is simple at first and then more instrumental music comes into play and slowly fades as you finally die. Such a beautiful song, so glad I can across it.
To me I think he is portraying as you grow in life it is the same day over and over and as it progresses there is a difference because of the different melodies that add to the compilation of this song from beginning to end. As you grow it is simple at first and then more instrumental music comes into play and slowly fades as you finally die. Such a beautiful song, so glad I can across it.