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Lot #8016
Bob Dylan Signed Handwritten Lyrics for 'Tangled Up in Blue'

Dylan pens lyrics for 'Tangled Up in Blue,' the opening song from Blood on the Tracks—"Pouring off from every page like it was written in my soul from me to you"

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Description

Dylan pens lyrics for 'Tangled Up in Blue,' the opening song from Blood on the Tracks—"Pouring off from every page like it was written in my soul from me to you"

Hugely desirable handwritten lyrics by Bob Dylan for his influential single, "Tangled Up in Blue," one page, 8.25 x 11.75, The Dorchester of London letterhead, written in black ink and signed neatly at the conclusion, "Bob Dylan, 2013."

The lyrics, in full:

"Early one morning the sun was shining and I was lying in bed. Wondering if she’d changed at all if her hair was still red. Her folks they said our lives together sure was going to be rough. They never did like Mama’s homemade dress. Papa’s bankbook wasn’t big enough. I was standing on the side of the road rain falling on my shoes. Heading out for the East Coast Lord knows I paid some dues getting through. Tangled Up in Blue.

She was married when they first met soon to be divorced. I helped her out of a jam I guess but I used a little too much force. We drove that car as far as we could abandoned it out west. Splitting up on a dark sad night somewhere in the wilderness. She turned around to look at me as I was walking away. Saying over her shoulder we’ll meet again someday stepping down the avenue. Tangled Up in Blue.

She was working in a roadside bar and I stopped in for a beer. I told her where I was going. She said you can’t get there from here. Later on when the crowd thinned I was just about to do the same. She was standing there beside my chair said tell me do you have a name? I muttered something underneath my breath. She studied the lines on my face. I must admit I felt a little uneasy when she bent down to tie the laces of my shoe. Tangled Up in Blue.

I had a job in the great north woods working as a cook there for a spell. I never did like it all that much and one day the axe just fell. I drifted down to New Orleans where I was lucky to be employed. Working for a while on a fishing boat before it was destroyed. All the while I was alone the past was close behind. I made a lot of friends around there but she never escaped my mind and I just grew Tangled Up in Blue.

She lit a burner on the stove and offered me a pipe. Thought you’d never say hello she said you look like the silent type. Then she opened up a book of poems and handed it to me. She said it was written by an old time poet from another century. Every one of those words rang true and glowed like burning coal. Pouring off from every page like it was written in my soul from me to you, Tangled Up in Blue.

I lived with them on Montague Street an a basement down the stairs. There was music in the cafés at night and revolution in the air. He started into dealing in slaves and something inside of him died. She had to sell everything she owned and froze up inside. When it all came crashing down I became withdrawn the only thing I knew how to do was keep on keeping on like a bird that flew. Tangled Up in Blue.

Now I’m going back again. Got to get to them somehow. Yesterday is dead and gone. Tomorrow might as well be now. Some became mathematicians. Some of them carpenters’ wives. Don’t know how it all got ended or what they did with their lives. Me I’m still on the road trying to stay away from the joint. We always did feel the same depending on your point of view. Tangled Up in Blue.” In very fine condition.

Accompanied by a 2014 letter of authenticity from Jeff Rosen, president of the Bob Dylan Music Company, which reads: "I represent Bob Dylan. This letter will certify that the hand-written lyrics to Tangled Up in Blue, contained herein, is an authentic Bob Dylan manuscript, signed and dated in his own hand."

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Marvels of Modern Music
  • Dates: #648 - Ended November 17, 2022





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