parafleet (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

it's art and intention. we know what's good and bad. write a happy song about jeff davis, but we get what HE tried to do. still, in this song's sense, forget history and ponder intention.

retroflow44 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Yeah, well Billy Joel also messed up on his story of Billy the Kid as well. Neither Hardin nor "McCarty/Bonney" were known to have ever robbed anything. They weren't bandits, they were outlaws. Each had their own reasons for being. Of the two, Hardin was the most lethal and vicious. I was lucky enough to suddenly be required to study the Old West and get to the bottom of many myths of that period. Most people just get the Cliff's/Cole's Notes or Hollywood versions.

jestrang (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

gnats always sting around the wake of giants for better or worse, such is the infernal nature of the marriage of Art and it's massive bridegroom.

ziggystardust3113 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

pretty interesting

DaRandom90 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

don't be an asshole and put quotes around sings.

JaketheSnake311 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

No, that's Jesse James.

DaRandom90 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

What the hell!!!!!!! DYLAN added the g for reasons for the song. ANd this is how he envisioned his life. Doesn't matter what u fucking think. Dylan is always right.

MusicJew158 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

notice that in this album and Nashville Skyline he actually kind of "sings" in the traditional sense

jackspencer26 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Well the story goes he robbed from the rich to give to the poor, kinda like a robin hoodesque character, think thats the image Dylan is trying to conjour up. Forgive him for his historical facts being clouded by his heart.

LakeErieHorn (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

John Wesley Hardin was a ruthless, cold blooded killer. He embellished his life story when convenient and claimed to have killed over 40 people. Dylan was ignorant of the facts regarding John W Hardin. Evidenced by the "g" and the Robin Hood like characterization.What part of his life do you find interesting? What does he stand for according to Dylan? How in anybody's imagination does John W. Hardin transcend his own banal, tragic existence?