TRACK TALK #197 Let Me Die In My Footsteps

LET ME DIE IN MY FOOTSTEPS
ALBUM : The Bootleg Series, Vol.1 (1991)
Recorded : 25 Avril 1962
Released : 26 Mars 1991

Une ballade enregistrée en 1962 pour "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" mais qui ne sera publié qu'en 1991 sur le premier volume des Bootleg Series.
Unique performance live : Montreal (2 Juillet 1962)



Lyrics
I will not go down under the ground
’Cause somebody tells me that death’s comin’ ’round
An’ I will not carry myself down to die
When I go to my grave my head will be high
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground

There’s been rumors of war and wars that have been
The meaning of life has been lost in the wind
And some people thinkin’ that the end is close by
’Stead of learnin’ to live they are learnin’ to die
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground

I don’t know if I’m smart but I think I can see
When someone is pullin’ the wool over me
And if this war comes and death’s all around
Let me die on this land ’fore I die underground
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground

There’s always been people that have to cause fear
They’ve been talking of the war now for many long years
I have read all their statements and I’ve not said a word
But now Lawd God, let my poor voice be heard
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground

If I had rubies and riches and crowns
I’d buy the whole world and change things around
I’d throw all the guns and the tanks in the sea
For they are mistakes of a past history
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground

Let me drink from the waters where the mountain streams flood
Let the smell of wildflowers flow free through my blood
Let me sleep in your meadows with the green grassy leaves
Let me walk down the highway with my brother in peace
Let me die in my footsteps
Before I go down under the ground

Go out in your country where the land meets the sun
See the craters and the canyons where the waterfalls run
Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho
Let every state in this union seep down deep in your souls
And you’ll die in your footsteps
Before you go down under the ground

je l'écoutais beaucoup quand j'ai découvert le bootleg vol.1

et je prends toujours plaisir à l'écouter !

M'est avis qu'elle était très connue bien avant, je crois même que c'est le titre d'un bootleg fondateur. Et elle avait de longue date un statut iconique de protests song anti-guerre froide, un peu l'égale de Hard Rain's Gonna Fall. Peut-être par une parution dans Sing Out! ?

Ce qui ne lui enlève rien.
Ni au plaisir de sa découverte (pour moi) avec les Bootleg Series.