The Times They Are A-Changin - Essay Example

Historical Analysis of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They are A-changing’ It was 1963, a century after the Emancipation Proclamation. It was also two years after the victory of the former President John F. Kennedy in the national elections and also the year he died. Moreover, it was the year when the song, ‘The Times They are A-Changing’ was written. Bob Dylan, the singer-composer of the song, has achieved nationwide success with his first album, hence released his second album under the same title.

Advocator of equality, Dylan wrote the song to encourage people to stop racial discrimination and to warn the people that a Civil War could recur if they do not change their attitude towards the change. The song denotes political and economic changes at the time of its writing. The title of the song itself, which uses the slang term ‘a-changing’ gives the idea that the change is related to the rise of the African Americans. The song reflects the permeation of the African Americans into the suburbs.

Dylan mentions that ‘the waters…have grown’ (3-4) and this water is overwhelming, it could drench someone ‘to the bone’ (6). The change that he is pointing out is something that gets to the bone because it pertains to blood, the blood of the African Americans. It could drench to the bone because the thought of African Americans leading the nation or becoming the majority is, for some, intolerable; it could cost their lives to think that such is happening.The 1960s saw changes in the political and economic scenes of America.

When JFK won, people had a new hope with his attempts at reviving the economy and establishing democracy. Following this, more and more African Americans migrated to the largest cities. According to Farber (264), subarbanisation rose with a total of 4.5 million non-whites. Specifically, New York’s white population decreased by 7 percent whilst its African American population increased by 46 percent. Thus, the song expresses, ‘‘For he that gets hurt/Will be he who has stalled (27-28). Dylan implies that the African Americans will soon take over in power; therefore people should change and adopt the changes so that it will not be difficult for them to live and accept reality.

More and more African Americans have established names during the said time including Martin Luther King, Jr., Muhammad Ali, Sammy Davis, etc. As, Dylan claims, ‘For the loser now/Will be later to win/For the times they are a-changin (20-21). Dylan prophesises the future of America with the African Americans winning the scene as this was the trend visible to him in the 1960s. Along with it, however, several issues of human rights violation involving African Americans have also been noted. Thus, Dylan warns people that the change will ‘soon shake your windows/And rattle your walls (32).

Dylan addresses politicians to heed this call in order to avoid war similar to what happened one century ago. He knows that the Civil War could recur if people do not welcome the change, and for people to do so, legislators should establish laws for acceptance of the minority. The content and message of the song capture the social transformation that was happening in the 1960s. As Dylan wrote, ‘you better start swimmin or you’ll stink like a stone’ (9-10). By this, he warns those who have not accepted the change that there could be another war in America if they not change the way they see things.

The song also predicts what would happen in the future such as the recognition received by African Americans, including the presidency of Barack Obama. Songs like this led Dylan to win international recognition and the Medal of Freedom in 2012.ReferencesDylan, Bob. The Times They are A-changing. Song. 1964.Farber, David. The Columbia Guide to America in the 1960s. Columbia: Columbia University Press, 2013.Dylan is pushy towards adjusting to the change as he has noted the need to adapt to it. Doing the opposite will leaMany artists nowadays are famous for the songs they make.

Some are famous for songs about love and social and political relevance Bob Dylan is known forbeing the boss of hisi boys. Come gather round peopleWherever you roamAnd admit that the watersAround you have grownAnd accept it that soonYoull be drenched to the bone.If your time to youIs worth savinThen you better start swimminOr youll sink like a stoneFor the times they are a-changin.Come writers and criticsWho prophesize with your penAnd keep your eyes wideThe chance wont come againAnd don t speak too soonFor the wheels still in spinAnd theres no tellin whoThat its namin.

For the loser nowWill be later to winFor the times they are a-changin.Come senators, congressmenPlease heed the callDont stand in the doorwayDont block up the hallFor the times they are a-changin.Come mothers and fathersThroughout the landAnd dont criticizeWhat you cant understandYour sons and your daughtersAre beyond your commandYour old road isRapidly agin.Please get out of the new oneIf you cant lend your handFor the times they are a-changin.The line it is drawnThe curse it is castThe slow one nowWill later be fastAs the present nowWill later be pastThe order isRapidly fadin.

And the first one nowWill later be lastFor the times they are a-changin.