TRACK TALK #474 He Was a Friend of Mine

HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE
ALBUM : The Bootleg Series Vol.1 (1991)
Recorded : 20 Novembre 1961
Released : 26 Mars 1991

Une chanson folk traditionnel dont la première version s'intitule "Shorty George" et qui fut enregistré pour la première fois dans une prison du Texas en 1939.
Depuis, elle fut interprétée par Dave Van Ronk, The Black Crowes, Mercury Rev, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Willie Nelson, The Byrds et Cat Power.
Elle faisait partie du répertoire de Dylan quand il commença à jouer à New York à l'automne 61 et sera publiée en 1991 sur le "Bootleg Series Vol.1".

Première performance live : New York (6 Septembre 1961)
Dernière performance live : Montréal (2 Juillet 1962)
Total : 4 fois.



Lyrics
He was a friend of mine
He was a friend of mine
Every time I think about him now
Lord I just can't keep from cryin'
'Cause he was a friend of mine

He died on the road
He died on the road
He never had enough money
To pay his room or board
And he was a friend of mine

I stole away and cried
I stole away and cried
'Cause I never had too much money
And I never been quite satisfied


And he was a friend of mine

He never done no wrong
He never done no wrong
A thousand miles from home
And he never harmed no one
And he was a friend of mine

He was a friend of mine
He was a friend of mine
Every time I hear his name
Lord I just can't keep from cryin'
'Cause he was a friend of mine.

La version (sublime) de Dave Van Ronk :



Qu'il rejoua en hommage à Phil Ochs :



Celle des Byrds :



Celle de Willie Nelson :

Elle est émouvante la version de Bob, j'aime son grain de voix. Un texte dépouillé mais poignant. Pas mal la version de Van Rock