Percy's song - Bob Dylan

Always wondered what he's writing there. Anyone know?

 

He also used the melody of the traditional ballad "Nottamun Town" for "Masters of War", assuming it was in the public domain. Jean Richie's father had collected "Nottamun Town" from a Kentucky ballad singer. He may not have been the first to collect it but he was the first to register a copyright on it with the Library of Congress. After Dylan recorded and released "Masters of War", Jean Richie sued him for the royalties. The folk process and the copyright law are strange bedfellows. It sometimes becomes a case of "You can't steal that song because I stole it first."

 

Yep, Sandy's version is stunning.

 

When I first heard Fairport's version of Nottamun Town I admit to feeling a little cheated by Bob. The melody and arrangement seemed almost identical to Masters Of War. I realise this is part of the folk tradition and all but still....

 

Try Working Class Hero by John Lennon; you'd really feel cheated then. I hate all that "me me me" stuff that Lennon did, possibly from the Ballad of John & Yoko onwards.