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The Wicked Messenger Lyrics
There was a wicked messenger, from Eli he did come,
With a mind that multiplied the smallest matter.
When questioned who had sent for him,
He answered with his thumb,
For his tongue it could not speak, but only flatter.
He stayed behind the assembly hall,
It was there he made his bed,
Oftentimes he could be seen returning.
Until one day he just appeared
With a note in his hand which read,
"The soles of my feet, I swear they're burning."
Oh, the leaves began to fallin'
And the seas began to part,
And the people that confronted him were many.
And he was told but these few words,
Which opened up his heart,
"If ye cannot bring good news, then don't bring any."
With a mind that multiplied the smallest matter.
When questioned who had sent for him,
He answered with his thumb,
For his tongue it could not speak, but only flatter.
It was there he made his bed,
Oftentimes he could be seen returning.
Until one day he just appeared
With a note in his hand which read,
"The soles of my feet, I swear they're burning."
And the seas began to part,
And the people that confronted him were many.
And he was told but these few words,
Which opened up his heart,
"If ye cannot bring good news, then don't bring any."

Such an underrated song. I love the descending riff.
The meaning is pretty clear though.
@songofish Yeah the meaning is super clear and all. But just to make sure, what do you think the meaning is? I know what it is of course, I'm just testing you 18 years later.
@songofish Yeah the meaning is super clear and all. But just to make sure, what do you think the meaning is? I know what it is of course, I'm just testing you 18 years later.

The shrillest harmonica in all of Dylan's catalogue. Eeek.

I love this song!!! Possibly my favourite on this album - the riff in this song is amazing!

The black keys have a great version of this song