Текст песни Bob Dylan — Scarlet Town [Defiance 1×05]

In Scarlet Town, where I was born
There's ivy leaf and silver thorn
The streets have names that you can't pronounce
Gold is down to a quarter of an ounce

The music starts and the people sway
Everybody says, "Are you going my way?"
Uncle Tom still workin' for Uncle Bill
Scarlet Town is under the hill.

Scarlet Town in the month of May
Sweet William Holme on his deathbed lay
Mistress Mary by the side of the bed
Kissin' his face and puttin' prayers on his head

So brave, so true, so gentle is he
I'll weep for him as he would weep for me
Little Boy Blue come your blow horn
In Scarlet Town, where I was born.

Scarlet Town, in the hot noon hours,
There's palm-leaf shadows and scattered flowers
Beggars crouching at the gate
Help comes, but it comes too late

By marble slabs and in fields of stone
You make your humble wishes known
I touched the garment, but the hem was torn
In Scarlet Town, where I was born.

In Scarlet Town, the end is near
The Seven Wonders of the World are here
The evil and the good livin' side by side
All human forms seem glorified

Put your heart on a platter and see who will bite
See who will hold you and kiss you good night
There's walnut groves and maplewood
In Scarlet Town cryin' won't do no good.

In Scarlet Town, you fight your father's foes
Up on the hill, a chilly wind blows
You fight 'em on high and you fight 'em down in
You fight 'em with whiskey, morphine and gin

You've got legs that can drive men mad
A lot of things we didn't do that I wish we had
In Scarlet Town, the sky is clear
You'll wish to God that you stayed right here.

Set 'em Joe, play "Walkin' the Floor"
Play it for my flat-chested junkie whore
I'm staying up late, I'm making amends
While we smile, all heaven descends

If love is a sin, then beauty is a crime
All things are beautiful in their time
The black and the white, the yellow and the brown
It's all right there in front of you in Scarlet Town.

Краткое описание

«Scarlet Town» by Bob Dylan paints a vivid picture of a place filled with contradictions and complexities. The lyrics describe the singer’s birthplace, where streets bear unpronounceable names and gold has lost its value. The scene is set with ivy leaves, silver thorns, and a mysterious atmosphere.

The narrative unfolds with Sweet William Holme on his deathbed in May, attended by Mistress Mary. The song praises his bravery and gentleness, revealing a poignant moment of vulnerability. The imagery extends to the hot noon hours, where palm-leaf shadows and beggars at the gate create a melancholic ambiance.

As the lyrics progress, Scarlet Town becomes a place where the end is near, and the Seven Wonders of the World coexist with good and evil. The song delves into the human experience, exploring the juxtaposition of beauty and sin, love and crime. The singer reflects on missed opportunities and the inevitability of confronting one’s past.

In Scarlet Town, battles against adversaries, both personal and external, are fought with various means, from whiskey to morphine. The lyrics touch on desire, regret, and the passage of time, creating a narrative rich with emotional depth. The song suggests that beauty and sin coexist in this enigmatic town, inviting listeners to contemplate the complexities of life’s experiences. Dylan’s poetic lyrics, accompanied by a melancholic melody, contribute to the haunting and thought-provoking atmosphere of «Scarlet Town.»