Album: Bob Dylan (1962)

License This Song 

• I'm out here a thousand miles from my home
  Walkin' a road other men have gone down
  I'm seein' your world of people and things
  Your paupers and peasants and princes and kings
  
  Hey, hey Woody Guthrie, I wrote you a song
  'Bout a funny ol' world that's a-comin' along
  Seems sick and it's hungry, it's tired and it's torn
  It looks like it's a-dyin' and it's hardly been born
  
  Hey, Woody Guthrie, but I know that you know
  All the things that I'm a-sayin' and a-many times more
  I'm a-singin' you the song, but I can't sing enough
  'Cause there's not many men that done the things that you've done
  
  Here's to Cisco and Sonny and Leadbelly too
  And to all the good people that traveled with you
  Here's to the hearts and the hands of the men
  That come with the dust and are gone with the wind
  
  I'm a-leaving' tomorrow, but I could leave today
  Somewhere down the road someday
  The very last thing that I'd want to do
  Is to say I've been hittin' some hard travelin' too Writer/s: Bob Dylan
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 11th 1961, Bob Dylan made his New York City debut when he was the opening act for John Lee Hooker at Gerde's Folk City...
  He performed a five song set, of which two he had composed, "Song to Woody" and "Talkin' Hava Negeilah Blues"...
  And little over a month later on May 24th he would celebrate his 20th birthday, he was born on May 24th, 1941.
• Kevin from Reading , PaPeople who like this should seek out Ramblin Jack Elliot's definitive version of "1913 Massacre." I saw Elliot perform "Massacre" live at a small folk club in Philadelphia, the Tin Angel, in the mid 90s. My buddy and I had to prompt Jack to sing it, and given his somewhat unsteady condition that night, we weren't sure he could pull it off - but sure enough, he did it without missing a beat, or, more precisely, a lyric -- of which there are many. Final anecdote: At the end of the show, I brought a copy of my "Woody Guthrie: A Life" book by Joe Klein and asked Jack to sign it. He obliged, but when I looked at the signature in the light, I saw that he signed "John Wayne."
• Barry from New York, NyDylan's rendition of SONG FOR WOODY at the 1992 tribute show at the Garden was spectacular! Unfortunately it was never released on the 2-cd soundtrack album so many people have forgotten that he actually played it.
• Andy from New York, NyThere was tribute concert for Bob a few years back and I asked my brother what he thought Dylan might play after all these revered musicians did covers and said nice things about him. He said, Bob'll deflect all this flattery and do Song to Woody...which he did right out of the gate...
• Jesse from Peterborough, CanadaIn concert Dylan has taken the key down from the orignal Bb (capo III) to G (no capo).
• Matt from Downey, CaThis song is so raw that if you listen really closely you can hear Bob flipping his notepad and he ends a verse..You can hear the paper rumblings.

More Songfacts:

Livin' On A PrayerBon Jovi

Gina in Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer" is based on a singer named Maria Vidal, who was working as a singing waitress using the name Gina Velvet.

Somebody Like YouKeith Urban

When Keith Urban played "Somebody Like You" for his girlfriend, she called him a hypocrite because he "sucked at relationships."

You Are A TouristDeath Cab for Cutie

The music video for "You Are A Tourist" by Death Cab For Cutie was done live on the internet, becoming the first live, scripted, single-take music video recorded that way.

What's Up4 Non Blondes

"What's Up" by 4 Non Blondes has endured as one of the most popular songs of the '90s, but it wasn't a huge hit at the time and the band split after one album. Frontwoman Linda Perry went on to write hits for Pink and Christina Aguilera.

Pump Up The JamTechnotronic

The woman "singing" in the video for Technotronic's "Pump Up The Jam" didn't speak English. She was used just for her look, and also appeared on the album cover.

How Dry I AmIrving Berlin

Irving Berlin wrote "How Dry I Am" in anticipation of Prohibition, envisioning a bleak future without alcohol.

Editor's Picks

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.