Bob Dylan: 5 great songs recorded in 1963





(photographer unknown)

This is not a “best from 1963” list, just 5 Great songs Bob Dylan recorded in 1963.

Masters of War

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
24 April 1963

The 8th and last Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan session, produced by John Hammond.

Released on THE FREEWHEELIN’ BOB DYLAN, 27 May 1963

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks

Only A Pawn In Their Game

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
7 August 1963

The 2nd The Times They Are A-Changin’ session, produced by Tom Wilson.

Released on THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’, 13 January 1964.

A bullet from the back of a bush took Medgar Evers’ blood
A finger fired the trigger to his name
A handle hid out in the dark
A hand set the spark
Two eyes took the aim
Behind a man’s brain
But he can’t be blamed
He’s only a pawn in their game




With God On Our Side

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
7 August 1963

The 2nd The Times They Are A-Changin’ session, produced by Tom Wilson.

Released on THE TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’, 13 January 1964.

Oh my name it is nothin’
My age it means less
The country I come from
Is called the Midwest
I’s taught and brought up there
The laws to abide
And that the land that I live in
Has God on its side

Percy’s Song

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
24 October 1963

Outtake – not released.

Bad news, bad news
Come to me where I sleep
Turn, turn, turn again
Sayin’ one of your friends
Is in trouble deep
Turn, turn to the rain
And the wind

Lay Down Your Weary Tune

Studio A
Columbia Recording Studios
New York City, New York
24 October 1963

The 5th The Times They Are A-Changin’ session, produced by Tom Wilson.

Released on BIOGRAPH, 28 October 1985.

Lay down your weary tune, lay down
Lay down the song you strum
And rest yourself ’neath the strength of strings
No voice can hope to hum

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-Egil