Tombstone Blues Lyrics

The song Tombstone Blues is performed by Bob Dylan in the album named Biograph in the year 2002 .



The sweet pretty things are in bed now of course
The city fathers they're trying to endorse
The reincarnation of Paul Revere's horse
But the town has no need to be nervous

The ghost of Belle Starr, she hands down her wits
The Jezebel the nun, she violently knits
A bald wig for Jack the Ripper who sits
At the head of the chamber of commerce

Mama's in the factory
She ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley
He is lookin' for food
I am in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues

The hysterical bride in the Penny Arcade
Screaming, she moans, "I've just been made"
Then sends out for the doctor who pulls down the shade
And says, "My advice is to not let the boys in"

And now the medicine man comes and he shuffles inside
He walks with a swagger and he says to the bride
"Stop all this weeping, swallow your pride
You will not die, it's not poison"

Mama's in the factory
She ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley
He is lookin' for food
I am in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues

Well, John the Baptist after torturing a thief
Looks up at his hero the Commander-in-Chief
Saying, "Tell me great hero, but please make it brief
Is there a hole for me to get sick in?"

The Commander-in-Chief answers him while chasing a fly
Saying, "Death to all those who would whimper and cry"
And dropping a bar bell he points to the sky
Saying, "The sun's not yellow, it's chicken"

Mama's in the factory
She ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley
He is lookin' for food
I am in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues

The king of the Philistines his soldiers to save
Put jawbones on their tombstones and flatters their graves
Puts the pied pipers in prison and fattens the slaves
Then sends them out to the jungle

Gypsy Davey with a blowtorch he burns out their camps
With his faithful slave Pedro behind him he tramps
With a fantastic collection of stamps
To win friends and influence his uncle

Mama's in the factory
She ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley
He is lookin' for food
I am in trouble
With the tombstone blues

The geometry of innocent flesh on the bone
Causes Galileo's math book to get thrown
At Delilah who's sitting worthlessly alone
But the tears on her cheeks are from laughter

I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill
I would set him in chains at the top of the hill
Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B DeMille
He could die happily ever after

Mama's in the factory
She ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley
He is lookin' for food
I am in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues

Where Ma Raney and Beethoven once unwrapped their bed roll
Tuba players now rehearse around the flagpole
And the National Bank at a profit sells road maps for the soul
To the old folks home and the college

Now I wish I could write you a melody so plain
That could hold you dear lady from going insane
That could ease you and cool you and cease the pain
Of your useless and pointless knowledge

Mama's in the factory
She ain't got no shoes
Daddy's in the alley
He is lookin' for food
I am in the kitchen
With the tombstone blues

All right



Bob Dylan - Biograph

Aug 2002

  1. Lay, Lady, Lay
  2. Baby, Let Me Follow You Down
  3. If Not For You
  4. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
  5. I'll Keep It With Mine
  6. The Times They Are A-Changin'
  7. Blowin' In The Wind
  8. Masters Of War
  9. Lonesome Death Of Hattie Carroll
  10. Percy's Song
  11. Mixed-Up Confusion (Single Version)
  12. Tombstone Blues
  13. Groom's Still Waiting At The Altar
  14. Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine
  15. Like A Rolling Stone
  16. Lay Down Your Weary Tune
  17. Subterranean Homesick Blues
  18. I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met) (Live)
  19. Visions Of Johanna (Live)
  20. Every Grain Of Sand
  21. Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)
  22. Mr. Tambourine Man
  23. Dear Landlord
  24. It Ain't Me, Babe
  25. You Angel You
  26. Million Dollar Bash
  27. To Ramona
  28. You're A Big Girl Now
  29. Abandoned Love
  30. Tangled Up In Blue
  31. It'S All Over Now, Baby Blue (Live)
  32. Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window? (Single Version)
  33. Positively 4th Street (Single Version)
  34. Isis (Live)
  35. Jet Pilot
  36. Caribbean Wind
  37. Up To Me
  38. Baby, I'm In The Mood For You
  39. I Wanna Be Your Lover
  40. I Want You
  41. Heart Of Mine (Live)
  42. On A Night Like This
  43. Just Like A Woman
  44. Romance In Durango (Live)
  45. Señor (Tales Of Yankee Power)
  46. Gotta Serve Somebody
  47. I Believe In You
  48. Time Passes Slowly
  49. I Shall Be Released
  50. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
  51. All Along The Watchtower
  52. Solid Rock
  53. Forever Young

Tombstone Blues