Angelina (Springtime In New York)

Well, it’s always been my nature to take chances
My right hand drawing back while my left hand advances
Where the current is strong and the monkey dances
To the tune of a concertina

Blood dryin’ in my yellow hair as I go from shore to shore
I know what it is that has drawn me to your door
But I don’t know what it is makes you think you’ve seen me before
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

Her eyes were two slits that would make any snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint and she was well-endowed
Praising the dead as she rode a donkey through the crowd

Or was it a hyena?

Do I need your permission to turn my other cheek?
If you can read my thoughts then why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing about the man that you seek
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

In the valley of the giants where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet and the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions when the judge sent me down the road
With your subpoena

The peaceful exchange of ideas for you was always too tame
Inter-tribal warfare was always more your style and your game
Your best friend and my worst enemy is one and the same
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

There’s a black Mercedes rollin’ through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead, you’re down to the bone
Tell me, tall men, where would you like to be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?

She was stolen from her mother when she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied and her strength cards are showin’ gold
He’s surrounded by God’s angels and she’s wearin’ a blindfold
And so are you, Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

I see pieces of men marching, trying to take heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider, I can see the pale white horse
In God’s truth name tell me what you want and you’ll have it of course
Just step into the arena


Beat a path of retreat up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke, pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy and weepin’ and moanin’ in unholy places
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

Well, it’s always been my nature to take chances
My right hand drawing back while my left hand advances
Where the current is strong and the monkey dances
To the tune of a concertina

Blood dryin’ in my yellow hair as I go from shore to shore
I know what it is that has drawn me to your door
But whatever could it be makes you think you’ve seen me before
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

His eyes were two slits, make any snake proud
With a face that any painter would paint as he walked through the crowd
Worshipping a god with the body of a woman well-endowed
And the head of a hyena

Do I need your permission to turn the other cheek?
If you can read my mind, why must I speak?
No, I have heard nothing about the man that you seek
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

In the valley of the giants where the stars and stripes explode
The peaches they were sweet and the milk and honey flowed
I was only following instructions when the judge sent me down the road
With your subpoena

When you cease to exist, then who will you blame
I’ve tried my best to love you but I cannot play this game

Your best friend and my worst enemy is one and the same
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

There’s a black Mercedes rollin’ through the combat zone
Your servants are half dead, you’re down to the bone
Tell me, tall men, where would you like to be overthrown
In Jerusalem or Argentina?

She was stolen from her mother when she was three days old
Now her vengeance has been satisfied and her possessions have been sold
He’s surrounded by God’s angels and she’s wearin’ a blindfold
But so are you
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

I see pieces of men marching, trying to take heaven by force
I can see the unknown rider, I can see the pale white horse
In God’s truth name tell me what you want and you’ll have it of course
Just step into the arena

Beat a path of retreat up them spiral staircases
Pass the tree of smoke, pass the angel with four faces
Begging God for mercy and weepin’ in unholy places
Angelina

Oh, Angelina. Oh, Angelina

Tab 1

Simple Twist of Fate (June/July 1981)

Evolution of a Bob Dylan Lyric

On June 30, 1981, Dylan makes a very notable mention of Suze in this performance:

He walked along through the city blocks
Hunts her down – he remembers Suze when she talks
Hunts for her by the waterfront docks where the sailors all roll in
Maybe he’ll find her there once again, how long must he wait
One more time for a simple twist of fate

Here we take a look at how this particular lyric developed by presenting consecutive performances from the shows before, after, and including this June 30th outing.

Colombes, France, June 23

He heard the tickin’ of the clocks/ And walked down through the city blocks

London, England, June 26

He walked along through the city blocks/ Sometimes down sometimes at the docks

London, England, June 28

He walked along through the city blocks/ Oh down by and the tree full of rocks

London, England, June 29

He walkin’ down through the city blocks/ Way down far but know she talks

London, England, June 30

He walked along through the city blocks/ Hunts her down – he remembers Suze when she talks

London, England, July 1

He walked along by the city docks/ Hunts her down though the way she talks

Birmingham, England, July 4

He go by there by the city blocks/ But oh my by the way she talks

Birmingham, England, July 5

He walked through the city blocks/ Well down she remem- to talks

Stockholm, Sweden, July 8

He walked along through the city block/ Pulled down by the way she talks

Dramman, Norway, July 9

He walked along through the city blocks/ Hunts for her by the way she talks

It is interesting to note that this pair of lines is not found in the few performances prior to these. Note how the rhyme gradually evolves (blocks -> rocks -> docks -> talks), with Suze clearly mentioned only on June 30th. By the show in Dramman on July 9th, Dylan has settled on the less personal but very clearly sung, “Hunts her down by the way she talks.” While Suze could still be in Dylan’s mind when performing the song at this stage in 1981, he is at least no longer calling her out by name.