Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)

Bob Dylan · Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 2

Ev'rybody's building the big ships and the boats,
Some are building monuments,
Others, jotting down notes,
Ev'rybody's in despair,
Ev'ry girl and boy
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,
Ev'rybody's gonna jump for joy.
Come all without, come all within,
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

I like to do just like the rest, I like my sugar sweet,
But guarding fumes and making haste,
It ain't my cup of meat.
Ev'rybody's 'neath the trees,
Feeding pigeons on a limb
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,
All the pigeons gonna run to him.
Come all without, come all within,
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

A cat's meow and a cow's moo, I can recite 'em all,
Just tell me where it hurts yuh, honey,
And I'll tell you who to call.
Nobody can get no sleep,
There's someone on ev'ryone's toes
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here,
Ev'rybody's gonna wanna doze.
Come all without, come all within,
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn.

Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)

Bob Dylan's 'Quinn the Eskimo' stands as a quintessential example of his folk-rock mastery, capturing the weary spirit of a traveling performer. Recorded during the height of his 1960s fame, the track appears on his celebrated compilation 'Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. 2,' where it serves as a testament to his ability to blend narrative storytelling with melodic simplicity. The song's enduring popularity highlights Dylan's skill in crafting relatable characters and themes of displacement, resonating with audiences across generations. As a staple of his discography, the recording exemplifies the raw energy and lyrical depth that defined his work during this pivotal era in popular music history.