Bob Dylan as he is known today, was born Robert Allen Zimmerman on May 24th, 1941 in Minnesota. From the age of 10, Dylan began writing poetry while also teaching himself to play the piano and guitar. He looked up to rock stars like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard who he used to imitate on the piano at high school dances. Zimmerman hardly attended college and dropped out in 1960. By his early 20’s Dylan was signed to Columbia Productions, with his first album being produced in March 1962. “The Times They are A-Changin”, was released on his third album in January 1964. This song was recognised as an anthem for a frustrated youth. The song captures the feel of much of the 60’s as the time was a decade of experimentation, progress and change. It was a time where the highest levels of political activism occurred in America. “The Times They are A-Changin”, was written at the height of the Civil Rights Movement and just before the Civil Rights Act. The song’s lyrics, reflect Dylan’s experiences and attitudes at that time. He is considered one of the biggest influences on America and the song “The Times They are A-Changin” an anthem for the civil rights movement. In the first line of the first stanza, “Come gather round people Wherever you roam”, Dylan encourages his audience to unite together and listen. It is a direct address to the people of America whether working class, middle class or upper class. Dylan’s belief is that by uniting together we can break social barriers by addressing everyone equally. Through the lines “And admit that the waters Around you have grown, and accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone”, the waters Dylan refers to is used as a metaphor for the civil right movement and that time is changing like the tide. Dylan also uses personification with “grown” which enhances the idea that the civil rights movement is getting stronger. The line, “Then you better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone”, is used by Dylan, to convey the message that if you fight the change that is coming then you will be left behind and ‘sink’. Dylan’s use of imagery, the “stone”, effectively enhances the belief that right now in the 60’s, the “weight” of the worlds issues are on our shoulders. It implies the guilt we feel as a society. In the second stanza, Dylan advises the media not to look at the situation just like it’s another protest but actually try to understand why these people are protesting. His belief is that the media sometimes jump to conclusions and write negatively about situations they don’t truly understand. The line “And keep your eyes wide”, is his way of telling them to not be narrow minded and be aware of what is about to happen as it is happening fast. The words “the wheel’s still in spin”, represents Dylan’s knowledge of medieval and ancient philosophy, referring to the goddess of Fortuna. It represents the changing positions for those on the wheel. Some people suffer misfortune while others experience great gains. The third stanza, “Come senators, congressmen Please heed the call” invites the government to take note. The line, “Don’t stand in the doorway
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Here Dylan connotes more of a personal address to the parents who are the biggest influence on their children’s lives. Dylan’s line, “Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command”, represents his attitude that we are living in a different world from what our parents lived in and that your sons and daughters are rebelling and protesting and parents should be open minded and encourage not discourage them. Dylan goes on to say, “Your old road is rapidly agin”, that your old ways won’t work anymore.
In the final stanza, “The line is drawn The curse it is cast”, is effectively used to demonstrate the belief that the time is now and direct change is imminent. Dylan implies that the civil rights movement can no longer be ignored, changes need to happen now. Little did Dylan know that the changes he was talking about actually happened the same year the song was released. In 1964 Congress passed the Civil Rights
Here Dylan connotes more of a personal address to the parents who are the biggest influence on their children’s lives. Dylan’s line, “Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command”, represents his attitude that we are living in a different world from what our parents lived in and that your sons and daughters are rebelling and protesting and parents should be open minded and encourage not discourage them. Dylan goes on to say, “Your old road is rapidly agin”, that your old ways won’t work anymore.
In the final stanza, “The line is drawn The curse it is cast”, is effectively used to demonstrate the belief that the time is now and direct change is imminent. Dylan implies that the civil rights movement can no longer be ignored, changes need to happen now. Little did Dylan know that the changes he was talking about actually happened the same year the song was released. In 1964 Congress passed the Civil Rights