Drifter's Escape

by Bob Dylan

From the album: John Wesley Harding

Track 6 of 12 on John Wesley Harding (1967).

Duration: 02:48

John Wesley Harding cover art

Lyrics for Drifter's Escape

Oh, help me in my weakness I heard the drifter say As they carried him from the courtroom And were taking him away "My trip hasn't been a pleasant one And my time, it isn't long And I still do not know What it was that I've done wrong" Well, the judge, he cast his robe aside A tear came to his eye "You'd fail to understand", he said "Why must you even try?" Outside, the crowd was stirring You could hear it from the door Inside, the judge was stepping down While the jury cried for more" "Oh, stop that cursed jury" Cried the attendant and the nurse "The trial was bad enough But this is ten times worse" Just then a bolt of lightning Struck the courthouse out of shape And while everybody knelt to pray The drifter did escape

Listen On

More from John Wesley Harding

  1. John Wesley Harding
  2. As I Went out One Morning
  3. I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
  4. All Along the Watchtower
  5. The Ballad of Frankie Lee and Judas Priest
  6. Drifter's Escape
  7. Dear Landlord
  8. I Am a Lonesome Hobo
  9. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
  10. The Wicked Messenger
  11. Down Along the Cove
  12. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight