Bob Dylan - Pay in Blood Lyrics

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who originally wrote the song 'Pay in Blood'?

   Bob Dylan is the original writer of the song 'Pay in Blood'. The song's lyrics are credited solely to Dylan.

2. When and where did Dylan first share the lyrics for 'Pay in Blood'?

   Dylan first shared the lyrics for 'Pay in Blood' with Elvis Costello at the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival in Fremantle, Australia, in April 2011. He read them from a narrow roll of paper, which he likened to a London bus ticket.

3. What musical genre does 'Pay in Blood' belong to?

   The song 'Pay in Blood' is characterized as a rock song with funky accents. It features a guitar played with a wah-wah pedal, which along with George G. Receli's drumming, gives it an original tone among Dylan's works.

4. What are some influences or references found in the lyrics of 'Pay in Blood'?

   The lyrics of 'Pay in Blood' include influences from classical literature. For instance, the phrase 'Nothing more wretched than what I must endure' is a close paraphrase from Ovid's 'Tristia', and 'I came to bury not to praise' echoes a line from Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar'.

5. Which key is 'Pay in Blood' performed in?

   The song 'Pay in Blood' is performed in the sounding key of C-sharp major. This key contributes to the distinct mood and musical structure of the piece.

6. How have critics described the lyrical themes of 'Pay in Blood'?

   Critics have noted the lyrics of 'Pay in Blood' as among the darkest and most violent by Dylan. Some view it as a religious song reflecting Old Testament wrath, while others see connections to American slavery, especially given Dylan's comments in a Rolling Stone interview.