Drifter's Escape
Encyclopedia
"Drifter's Escape" is a song written by Bob Dylan
and released on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding
. In some European countries, including the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, it was released as a single in 1968 backed by "John Wesley Harding
". It was released as a single in the US in 1969 as the B-side to "I Threw It All Away
". The song was recorded in four takes on October 17, 1967.
The lyrics provide a Kafka-esque
narrative in which an outsider is oppressed by society, but not defeated. The protagonist is put on trial without knowing what the charges against him are. The judge is sympathetic, but powerless. The jury finds the protagonist guilty, but he is saved through divine intervention when the courthouse is struck by lightning. The protagonist is able to escape as his persecutors fall to their knees in prayer. Dylan leaves the orientation of the protagonist and the deus ex machina
ambiguous. The protagonist could be a prophet freed by God, or he could be a false prophet freed by the devil.
Several commentators have pointed to parallels between the song's story and Dylan's own experiences around the time he wrote the song. The drifter does not understand the charges against him, just as Dylan did not understand the criticism he received for moving from folk music
to rock music
. The jury "cried for more," just as Dylan's fans who followed his path to rock music became more oppressive. And the lightning bolt that allows the drifter to escape could be a metaphor for the motorcycle accident Dylan suffered in 1966. Another theme that comes through in the song is Dylan's hatred for mob violence.
Biographer Clinton Heylin
has noted that in writing "Drifter's Escape", Dylan found an new, economical style that allowed him to tell a five-act story in just three verses. He then went on to write more songs in a similar manner, which formed the bulk of the John Wesley Harding album.
Dylan did not perform "Drifter's Escape" live for almost 25 years after it was written and released. He first performed it live in Oregon on April 30, 1992, a day after the Rodney King
verdict. He sang it again four days later in San Francisco, at which point the lines:
had particular resonance with those who considered that verdict unjust. Since then, Dylan has performed the song occasionally on the Never Ending Tour
. In 1992, he used two different live arrangements: one similar to the arrangement on John Wesley Harding and one influenced by Jimi Hendrix
's version. He also performed it as the show opener in several 1995 concerts. It returned to his live set again in 2001, this time in an energetic performance driven by Dylan's "paranoia-inflected vocals".
"Drifter's Escape" has been covered by several other artists, including Joan Baez
and Jimi Hendrix
. Baez covered the song in 1968 on her album Any Day Now. Hendrix' version was recorded in 1970 and appeared on Loose Ends
in 1974, Stone Free
in 1981 and South Saturn Delta
in 1997. Author David Stubbs noted that Hendrix didn't transform this song the way he did "All Along the Watchtower
," but that Hendrix' guitar provides "a chorus of 'amens' and 'hallelujahs' throughout the song." The song has also been covered by Wolfgang Ambros
, The Zimmermen, George Thorogood
and Michel Montecrossa
.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
and released on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding
John Wesley Harding (album)
John Wesley Harding is singer-songwriter Bob Dylan's eighth studio album, released by Columbia Records in December 1967.Produced by Bob Johnston, the album marked Dylan's return to acoustic music and traditional roots, after three albums of electric rock music...
. In some European countries, including the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, it was released as a single in 1968 backed by "John Wesley Harding
John Wesley Harding (song)
"John Wesley Harding" is a song by Bob Dylan that appears on his 1967 album of the same name.-Writing and recording:Dylan told Jann Wenner in a 1969 Rolling Stone interview that the song "started out to be a long ballad. I was gonna write a ballad on ... like maybe one of those old cowboy ... you...
". It was released as a single in the US in 1969 as the B-side to "I Threw It All Away
I Threw It All Away
"I Threw It All Away" is a song by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The track appeared on Dylan's album Nashville Skyline in 1969, and was released as its first single later that year, where it reached number 85 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 30 on the UK Singles Chart...
". The song was recorded in four takes on October 17, 1967.
The lyrics provide a Kafka-esque
Franz Kafka
Franz Kafka was a culturally influential German-language author of short stories and novels. Contemporary critics and academics, including Vladimir Nabokov, regard Kafka as one of the best writers of the 20th century...
narrative in which an outsider is oppressed by society, but not defeated. The protagonist is put on trial without knowing what the charges against him are. The judge is sympathetic, but powerless. The jury finds the protagonist guilty, but he is saved through divine intervention when the courthouse is struck by lightning. The protagonist is able to escape as his persecutors fall to their knees in prayer. Dylan leaves the orientation of the protagonist and the deus ex machina
Deus ex machina
A deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly inextricable problem is suddenly and abruptly solved with the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability, or object.-Linguistic considerations:...
ambiguous. The protagonist could be a prophet freed by God, or he could be a false prophet freed by the devil.
Several commentators have pointed to parallels between the song's story and Dylan's own experiences around the time he wrote the song. The drifter does not understand the charges against him, just as Dylan did not understand the criticism he received for moving from folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
to rock music
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
. The jury "cried for more," just as Dylan's fans who followed his path to rock music became more oppressive. And the lightning bolt that allows the drifter to escape could be a metaphor for the motorcycle accident Dylan suffered in 1966. Another theme that comes through in the song is Dylan's hatred for mob violence.
Biographer Clinton Heylin
Clinton Heylin
Clinton Heylin is an English author who has written extensively about popular music and the work of Bob Dylan.- Education :...
has noted that in writing "Drifter's Escape", Dylan found an new, economical style that allowed him to tell a five-act story in just three verses. He then went on to write more songs in a similar manner, which formed the bulk of the John Wesley Harding album.
Dylan did not perform "Drifter's Escape" live for almost 25 years after it was written and released. He first performed it live in Oregon on April 30, 1992, a day after the Rodney King
Rodney King
Rodney Glen King is an American best known for his involvement in a police brutality case involving the Los Angeles Police Department on March 3, 1991...
verdict. He sang it again four days later in San Francisco, at which point the lines:
- The trial was bad enough
- But this was ten times worse
had particular resonance with those who considered that verdict unjust. Since then, Dylan has performed the song occasionally on the Never Ending Tour
Never Ending Tour
The Never Ending Tour is the popular name for Bob Dylan’s endless touring schedule since June 7, 1988. During the past 23+ years, musicians have come and gone and the band has continued to evolve...
. In 1992, he used two different live arrangements: one similar to the arrangement on John Wesley Harding and one influenced by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
's version. He also performed it as the show opener in several 1995 concerts. It returned to his live set again in 2001, this time in an energetic performance driven by Dylan's "paranoia-inflected vocals".
"Drifter's Escape" has been covered by several other artists, including Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
and Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
. Baez covered the song in 1968 on her album Any Day Now. Hendrix' version was recorded in 1970 and appeared on Loose Ends
Loose Ends (Jimi Hendrix album)
-Personnel:*Jimi Hendrix – guitars, lead vocals*Billy Cox – bass, backing vocals on track 6*Mitch Mitchell – drums on tracks 1, 3, 4 and 5*Buddy Miles – drums on tracks 2, 6, 7 and 8 , backing vocals on tracks 6 and 7...
in 1974, Stone Free
Stone Free (album)
Stone Free is a posthumous compilation album by Jimi Hendrix, released in 1981 by Polydor Records. The album contains songs from Are You Experienced, Axis: Bold as Love, Electric Ladyland and The Cry of Love, as well as one song from Loose Ends.-Track listing:All songs were written by Jimi Hendrix,...
in 1981 and South Saturn Delta
South Saturn Delta
South Saturn Delta is a posthumous Jimi Hendrix album compiled by the Hendrix estate that consists of material such as demo tapes, unfinished takes and alternate mixes, previously released material, most of which Hendrix had been working on prior to his death in 1970.When the Hendrix family...
in 1997. Author David Stubbs noted that Hendrix didn't transform this song the way he did "All Along the Watchtower
All Along the Watchtower
"All Along the Watchtower" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan. The song, which has been included on most of Dylan's greatest hits compilations, initially appeared on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding. Over the past 35 years, he has performed it in concert more...
," but that Hendrix' guitar provides "a chorus of 'amens' and 'hallelujahs' throughout the song." The song has also been covered by Wolfgang Ambros
Wolfgang Ambros
Wolfgang Ambros is an Austrian singer-songwriter, most famously known for setting the then-new trend in the 1970s known now as Austropop. He is most famous for his song "Da Hofa" and "Schi foan"....
, The Zimmermen, George Thorogood
George Thorogood
George Thorogood is an American blues rock vocalist/guitarist from Wilmington, Delaware, United States, known for his hit song "Bad to the Bone" as well as for covers of blues standards such as Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" and John Lee Hooker's "House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One...
and Michel Montecrossa
Michel Montecrossa
Michel Montecrossa is a German media entrepreneur, author, musician, painter, film-maker, futurist, consciousness researcher and founder of Mirapuri, the City of Peace and Futureman in Europe...
.