George Jackson
Bob Dylan · Other Songs - Bob Dylan
There were tears in my bed
They killed a man I really loved
Shot him through the head
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
They sent him off to prison
For a seventy-dollar robbery
They closed the door behind him
And they threw away the key
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
He wouldn't take shit from no one
He wouldn't bow down or kneel
Authorities, they hated him
Because he was just too real
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
The prison guards, they watched him
As they cursed him from above
But they were frightened of his power
They were scared of his love
Lord, Lord
So they cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
Sometimes I think this whole world
Is one big prison yard
Some of us are prisoners
Some of us are guards
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
Lord, Lord
They cut George Jackson down
Lord, Lord
They laid him in the ground
...
George Jackson
Bob Dylan's 1964 single "George Jackson" stands as a powerful protest record, honoring the life and execution of the Black Panther Party member. Released during a pivotal era for civil rights and counterculture, the song blends folk and rock elements to deliver a poignant tribute to racial injustice. Dylan's lyrics vividly recount the events surrounding Jackson's death, transforming a political tragedy into a universal anthem of freedom. The recording captures the raw energy of the mid-1960s, influencing countless artists who sought to use music as a vehicle for social commentary. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to connect personal narrative with broader historical struggles, cementing its place in the canon of American protest music.