Goin' to Acapulco

Sorry for my english, since it's not my native language (I'm from Serbia, but did learn it in school while younger). Anyway, i think Dylan makes an obvious attempt in this one (he even changes for it) to sing from a perspective of a "poor soul"- what i mean is someone who is like a tramp, or a poor musician in old times, like street/brothel player on a certain instrument. Also someone who has been mistreated on numerous occasions and seen it happen to others too, so he kinda "plays it safe" (i'm not talking emotionally, but overall and especially in literal way, roughened up or however you wanna call it, he's on the bottom ladder of society like a tramp, or beggar). Though again i think he states or at least implies in the song he's a musician, so tramp/beggar are just examples. The Rose Marry is the main focus of narrator's story, she's the woman(and also a place) he's most likely having relations with and who definitely gives him food for work also. That much we can tell from the song. I don't think there's any implications about him being criminal or engaging is such activity. Only verse that could be interpreted that he may have been used for criminal activity and got the fat end of the stick (but definitely not a successful criminal, and not living that life except maybe that thing in the past) is: Now, if someone offers me a joke I just say no thanks. I try to tell it like it is And keep away from pranks. But, even this is a far-fetch from my perspective. I think this one is more abstract or metaphorical vision. Joke is kind of a risky social contract type of thing. When someone "offers you a joke", it means that, like it or not, you're gonna have to go along with it and laugh at the end. That's why this can be, among others, be interpreted as a short criminal past, but i think it's not, and what it is, is another example of him being hurt and mistreated and being in the lower corner by society's view. There are multiple examples of him talking about how food is hard to get, even though he's not complaining. As for soft-gut, i think it's just the way men sometimes use words to pet some women they like or love, even though they can be compliments, they can be also derogatory terms or however you call it, on surface offensive but actually a pet-nickname. Soft-gut could also just be some old-term men used for women (if men are "muscles" or "six-packs", women are "soft-gut"; though he's clearly talking about specific soft-gut/fat-gut, it's a women he has that nickname for, or adjective he uses when talking about her. So tl;dr in conclusion- 1-It's a song about a poor musician who earns his living by playing in a brothel (among other places) and also has a woman with whom he's in relationship there. He's a "poor soul" not living the high life, he's been mistreated plenty, but he's happy when he goes to Rose Marry. 2-As for other comments, i don't see an indication of either A- that he's a criminal or B-that there is 2 perspectives in the song, it's all 1 guy, and all we learn about Rose Marry is that she treats him fair and that "Rose Marie, she likes to go to big places And just set there waitin' for me to come."- w/e that part means, i have no idea, but i'm guessing she says she would love to move to some big city, and live the high life, but even though she's not aware she, just as him, is content with things the way they are aka 2 of them having each other to ease the harsh reality.

1st to comment on this song. These aren't the same lyrics as on the basement tapes, which is odd, but there are close enough. Awesome song, and an awesome cover in "im not there" by My morning jacket.

dude calexico covered it in "Im Not There"

but anyway i think this could be like a get away live life easy song, very simple message. Something like a Margaritaville.

Jim James from MMJ sang the song, while Calexico played the music. James' take on it is pristine, by the way.

I think it's about going to visit a Mexican brothel

I'm going down to Rose Marie's She never does me wrong. She puts it to me plain as day And gives it to me for a song

It's a wicked life, but what the hell Everybody's got to eat And I'm just the same as anyone else When it comes to scratchin' for my treats

Goin' to Acapulco Goin' on the run. Goin' down to see soft gut Goin' to have some fun Yeah Goin' to have some fun

Now whenever I get up And can't find what i need I just make it down to Rose Marie's And get somethin' quick to eat

It's not a bad way to make a living And I ain't complaining none For I could blow my plum and drink my rum And then go on home and have my fun

Goin' to Acapulco Goin' on the run. Goin' down to see soft gut Goin' to have some fun Yeah Goin' to have some fun

Now, if someone offers me a joke I just say no thanks I try to tell it like it is And keep away from pranks

Now every time, you know when the well breaks down I just go pump on it some Rose Marie, she likes to go to big places And just sit there waitin' for me to come

Goin' to Acapulco Goin' on the run. Goin' down to see soft gut Goin' to have some fun Yeah Goin' to have some fun

those are the lyrics from the basement tapes and i completely agree with spanishguns about the meaning

Well I disagree that Dylan should write a song which talks about going to a brothel alone, to me, I believe it is quiet symbolic representation of the fact that we all need something to look forward to while going through our daily life. To me, it is more about the hope which keeps us going, daily life has it's own hazards, own pros and cons, it's more about passing through all these with the hope of a better tomorrow.

Clearly a brothel song, with lyrics alternating perspective between the John and the Hoar....but a very positive take on the nature of life and how we have to all hoar ourselves out to live...For me, it is one of the 2 or 3 greatest songs of all time....I think I put it at #3 on a list a few years ago after "the magnificent seven" by the Clash and "Who Knows Where the time Goes" by the Fairport Convention...

I just can't get over the fat-gut thing.Does he just mean the girl has a big belly,or what?