Desolation Row Sheet Music Guitar And Mandolin Tabs
Desolation Row Piano Sheet Music Guitar And Mandolin Tabs by Bob Dylan. The tabs for the mandolin and guitar are in the key of G and the piano score is in the key of D Major, which has the chords included.
"Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan is a complex, surreal, and symbolic song filled with vivid imagery and poetic references. It is the final track of his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited and is often considered one of his masterpieces due to its intricate lyrics and philosophical depth.
Song Meaning:"Desolation Row" is often interpreted as a critique of society, culture, and the human condition. The song paints a bleak and chaotic picture of a fictional, dystopian place called Desolation Row, where characters from literature, history, and mythology interact in strange and surreal ways. It’s a world of confusion, decay, and alienation, where the lines between reality and fiction blur.
Here are some of the key themes and interpretations:
Overall Interpretation:"Desolation Row" is not meant to tell a clear, linear story, but rather to evoke a sense of chaos, disillusionment, and emotional desolation. It is a reflection on the spiritual and existential crisis of modern life, where people are disconnected from one another, society is in decay, and the world seems like a strange, surreal place full of contradictions.
Some listeners interpret it as a critique of the times in the 1960s, but it remains a timeless commentary on human nature, capturing the confusion, alienation, and disillusionment that many experience in different eras. The song's enigmatic lyrics continue to spark various interpretations and discussions about its true meaning.
"Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan is a complex, surreal, and symbolic song filled with vivid imagery and poetic references. It is the final track of his 1965 album Highway 61 Revisited and is often considered one of his masterpieces due to its intricate lyrics and philosophical depth.
Song Meaning:"Desolation Row" is often interpreted as a critique of society, culture, and the human condition. The song paints a bleak and chaotic picture of a fictional, dystopian place called Desolation Row, where characters from literature, history, and mythology interact in strange and surreal ways. It’s a world of confusion, decay, and alienation, where the lines between reality and fiction blur.
Here are some of the key themes and interpretations:
- Dystopian Imagery:
- The setting of "Desolation Row" is a symbolic place of desolation, where everything seems broken and distorted. The references to fallen angels, freaks, and clowns create an unsettling atmosphere, highlighting a sense of hopelessness and confusion.
- Social Commentary:
- Dylan’s lyrics can be seen as a critique of societal institutions, materialism, and cultural decline. The song depicts a world where people are lost and disconnected, with references to characters that represent various aspects of modern life, such as politicians, artists, and celebrities. These figures, such as Einstein and Ophelia, are presented in absurd and disorienting contexts, possibly suggesting the disillusionment with these figures' roles in society.
- Isolation and Alienation:
- Many of the characters in the song, like the beggars or orphans, symbolize feelings of loneliness and alienation. The song reflects a world where people are emotionally detached and estranged from each other, emphasizing the existential crisis many feel in modern society.
- The Clash Between the Sacred and the Profane:
- Throughout the song, Dylan juxtaposes sacred and profane elements, such as the crown of thorns and the knights of the garter, or the prophet and the blind man, blending religious, historical, and mythological references. This clash may represent the conflict between idealism and the harsh realities of life.
- Surrealism and Absurdity:
- The song’s surrealistic nature reflects Dylan’s poetic, stream-of-consciousness style. The bizarre imagery, like "the circus is in town" or "Dr. Filth", creates a dreamlike quality where logic and coherence are secondary to the vivid, sometimes nonsensical, imagery that conveys a deeper sense of despair and confusion.
- Einstein, representing intellect and the disillusionment with rationality.
- Ophelia, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, who symbolizes lost innocence and tragic beauty.
- The Phantom of the Opera, evoking themes of isolation and madness.
- The Druid, suggesting ancient wisdom or mysticism.
Overall Interpretation:"Desolation Row" is not meant to tell a clear, linear story, but rather to evoke a sense of chaos, disillusionment, and emotional desolation. It is a reflection on the spiritual and existential crisis of modern life, where people are disconnected from one another, society is in decay, and the world seems like a strange, surreal place full of contradictions.
Some listeners interpret it as a critique of the times in the 1960s, but it remains a timeless commentary on human nature, capturing the confusion, alienation, and disillusionment that many experience in different eras. The song's enigmatic lyrics continue to spark various interpretations and discussions about its true meaning.
​Desolation Row Sheet Music with the mandolin / tenor banjo tab in G Major
​Desolation Row Guitar Tab
​Desolation Row Piano Sheet Music with chords
