Bob Dylan's Blues

Bob has some troubles.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto

Won't help him fix them.

Another of Bob's melancholy-go-lucky walking songs, "Bob Dylan's Blues" was recorded in 1962 for the 1963 album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan." I focused on the first verse since problems tend to be what plague Dylan through many of the verses of many of his songs, and that seemed to capture the essence of this little rambler-gambler tune.

For what it's worth, the other verses tackle different subjects, while his spoken introduction notes that this song was written in the United States, not Tin Pan Alley in New York City:

1. Someone must have told the Lone Ranger and Tonto that Bob was doing all right because they're fixing everyone's troubles but his.

2. Bob has a real gal, not a "five and 10-cent woman," and he advises those in the latter coterie to go away from his door and window.

3. He doesn't go to the racetrack because he doesn't have or need a sports car. He can walk around the block on his feet if he wishes.

4. The wind blows him in various directions. Don't step on him.

5. If you want to be like Bob, go commit armed robbery. Tell the judge later when you're on trial that Bob said it was OK.

Here's another version of the song, released on "The 50th Anniversary Collection."