It is a tribute to the comedian Lenny Bruce, who died in 1966.
The words
A fond remembrance of a rule-breaking comic who was hounded in life and is missed now that he is gone.
The singer remembers the comedian Lenny Bruce, who died in 1966, as someone who told uncomfortable truths and was punished for it. He argues that Bruce was no criminal, contrasts him with people who did real harm and went free, and recalls a brief personal encounter with him. The tone is fond and a little rueful rather than angry, a tribute from someone who admired his nerve. Dylan delivers it as a slow ballad led by piano.
Lyrics on bobdylan.com ↗Listen
The words
A fond remembrance of a rule-breaking comic who was hounded in life and is missed now that he is gone.
The singer remembers the comedian Lenny Bruce, who died in 1966, as someone who told uncomfortable truths and was punished for it. He argues that Bruce was no criminal, contrasts him with people who did real harm and went free, and recalls a brief personal encounter with him. The tone is fond and a little rueful rather than angry, a tribute from someone who admired his nerve. Dylan delivers it as a slow ballad led by piano.
Lyrics on bobdylan.com ↗Connections
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The same year · 1981
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