The Story Behind "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" by Billy Bragg

Mini-documentary about the recording of the song "Lay Down Your Weary Tune" by Billy Bragg for Amnesty International's 2012 album "Chimes Of Freedom: The Songs Of Bob Dylan". Documentary produced and edited by Peter Shelton

[@deserthighways4095]

This song is one of Dylan's best. Thanks for posting this interesting story about it. Now I'll go hear the full Billy Bragg version.

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

And yet it didmt even make it onto one of his 40 plus albums.

[@wmsollenberger8706]

In 1965, upon hearing the Byrds' version, Dylan told the band's Jim McGuinn "Up until I heard this, I thought you were just another imitator ... but this has got real feeling to it." Not to dis Bragg's version, but it's hardly earth shaking, the song was done to the author's satisfaction 57 years ago! Hell, my band covered it in 1968!!

[@ronbroomell]

Thanks for the history & behind-the-scenes info! Good timing; I was about to listen to Billy's version.. Some day this song will have its due fame. We first heard it by Jim & Jean in the '60's.. Aloha from Big Island ~

[@williammesser3137]

Dylan wrote is at Joan Baez's house. He has said he wanted to achieve the same feeling and spirit of the old Scottish ballad The Water Is Wide, to which it is very similar.

[@alexannebassett7212]

Yup, the first time I heard this I couldn’t figure out why I kept wanting to sing “I leaned my back against an oak, thinking it was a mighty tree...” didn’t remember the FIRST words of The Water is Wide, just those second verse lyrics. Drove me crazy!

[@TheZimmy7]

Joan Baez mother was Scottish ...so lots of traditional folk sheet music in that house 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@moonoggin]

This is great .. "a moment of synchrinisity" hahaha I enjoyed this very much!

[@knockedoutloaded279]

One of his best songs..a precursor to mr Tambourine Man ...

[@c.s.mcleod7383]

I never considered Lay Down Your Weary Tune "obscure".

[@neilpaterson3886]

How did this guy avoid The Byrds version which must be the best known!

[@raxxtango]

this was the last song on the Dylan bio - video. I needed keep rewinding the vid to hear this song.

[@timothybyrne5640]

Why did Bob Dylan not put this on an album?

[@punagurl8]

Folk Duo Jim & Jean recorded a beautiful version in 1966.

[@TB-no9ir]

Hi -- I really would like to send this video to my social media page, but you need to credit Dylan in the video title. It says "Lay down your weary tune" by Billy Bragg and it needs to say, "by Bob Dylan." The way you have the title, I can't re-post this, it will make me look bad. Please, if you could re-title the video. It's just wrong as it stands now. Performed by Billy Bragg, written by Dylan.

[@Dancemomslover711]

This was Phil Ochs favourite song

[@jamiewesson898]

coulson dean mc guinness flint best version imo

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

Byrds did it first and best!

[@thekaratekidpartii2169]

james fitzgerald dylan did it first and best

[@JohnRJune]

Agreed!

[@JohnRJune]

Loved the Byrds version. Surprised they didn't mention it, because the choir sounds similar to the Byrds.

[@rukeyser]

They didn’t sing it first, and not the best by a long shot.

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

rukeyser .... Byrds version beautiful!