Maggie's Farm
Bob Dylan · The Essential 3.0 Bob Dylan [2009]
No, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Well, I wake in the morning,
Fold my hands and pray for rain.
I got a head full of ideas
That are drivin' me insane.
It's a shame the way she makes me scrub the floor.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
Well, he hands you a nickel,
He hands you a dime,
He asks you with a grin
If you're havin' a good time,
Then he fines you every time you slam the door.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's brother no more.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
Well, he puts his cigar
Out in your face just for kicks.
His bedroom window
It is made out of bricks.
The National Guard stands around his door.
Ah, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's pa no more.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
No, I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
Well, she talks to all the servants
About man and God and law.
Everybody says
She's the brains behind pa.
She's sixty-eight, but she says she's twenty-four.
I ain't gonna work for Maggie's ma no more.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
No, I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Well, I try my best
To be just like I am,
But everybody wants you
To be just like them.
They sing while you slave and I just get bored.
I ain't gonna work on Maggie's farm no more.
Maggie's Farm
Bob Dylan's 'Maggie's Farm' stands as a defining track from his 1965 electric period, marking a pivotal shift in his musical direction and public persona. Recorded during the height of the folk-rock revolution, the song blends traditional folk structures with amplified instrumentation, creating a sound that challenged the acoustic norms of the era. The track explores themes of rural life and the complexities of human relationships, delivered with Dylan's signature poetic lyricism and a driving, rhythmic energy. Its inclusion on compilations like 'The Essential 3.0 Bob Dylan' highlights its enduring status as a cornerstone of his discography. The recording exemplifies Dylan's ability to evolve his style while maintaining the narrative depth that has made him a central figure in American music history.