Day of the Locusts Lyrics
The birdies were flying from tree to tree
There was little to say, there was no conversation
As I stepped to the stage to pick up my degree
And the locusts sang off in the distance
Yeah the locusts sang such a sweet melody
Oh, the locusts sang off in the distance
Yeah, the locusts sang and they were singing for me.
Darkness was everywhere, it smelled like a tomb
I was ready to leave, I was already walkin'
But the next time I looked there was light in the room
And the locusts sang, yeah, it give me a chill
Oh, the locusts sang such a sweet melody
Oh, the locusts sang their high whinning trill
Yeah, the locusts sang and they were singing for me.
The weather was hot, a-nearly 90 degrees
The man standin' next to me, his head was exploding
Well, I was prayin' the pieces wouldn't fall on me
Yeah,the locusts sang off in the distance
Yeah the locusts sang such a sweet melody
Oh, the locusts sang off in the distance
And the locusts sang and they were singing for me.
Took hold of my sweetheart and away we did drive
Straight for the hills, the black hills of Dakota
Sure was glad to get out of there alive
And the locusts sang, yeah, it give me a chill
Yeah, the locusts sang such a sweet melody
And the locusts sang with a high whinning trill
Yeah, the locusts sang and they were singing for me
Singing for me, well, singing for me.
Dylan wrote this after receiving an honorary degree. As an ardent anti-establishment kind of guy, he received it with reservations, and only with the insistence of his family. The song is about how miserable he was accepting the degree.
I couldn't believe this song when I first heard it. It was like it was describing my life. Especially the part about driving to the black hills of Dakota after picking up a degree. That's exactly what I did when I graduated from college. Amazing.
princeton gave him an honorary degree which he didn't want to accept. his wife and david crosby convinced him to accept it and give a speech. he finally agreed but then refused to wear the cap and gown. sara and david convinced him to put it on as well... locusts were infesting princeton around this time or something like that. lol courtesy of wiki =)
really underrated.
does this have anything to do with the novel by nathaniel west?
@pumkinhed- agreed, highly underrated.
one of dylan's many, many gems. the whole song is amazing, especially that last verse.
The Book of Joel