The Wicked Messenger

by Bob Dylan

From the album: John Wesley Harding

Track 10 of 12 on John Wesley Harding (1967).

Duration: 02:05

John Wesley Harding cover art

Lyrics for The Wicked Messenger

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 falling 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 you cannot bring good news, then don't bring any"

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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