The Occasional Observer

Bob Dylan may have been a liberal in his early days in the '60's. Heck, he may be a liberal now. But ever since '68 or so, his most important role has been that of the bard drifter, the mystery man with the guitar, the narrator, who shows up to tell the tale of real people dealing with real situations.

Manly situations. Like what to do when some foo' tries to take your Stetson.

Listen here.

Hawlin Alley on a dark and drizzly night,
Billy Lyons and Stack-A-Lee had one terrible fight.
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Stack-A-Lee walked to the bar-room, and he called for a glass of beer,
Turned around to Billy Lyons, said, "What are you doin' here?"
"Waitin' for a train, please bring my woman home.

"Stack-A-Lee, oh Stack-A-Lee. please don't take my life.
Got three little children and a-weepin', lovin' wife.
You're a bad man, bad man, Stack-A-Lee."

"God bless your children and I'll take care of your wife.
You stole my John B., now I'm bound to take your life."
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Stack-A-Lee turned to Billy Lyons and he shot him right through the head,
Only taking one shot to kill Billy Lyons dead.
All about that John B. Stetson hat.

Pretty rough last words to hear--a whiskey-grizzled gunman telling you, "God bless your children, and I'll take care of your wife..."