About the song
“The Times They Are A-Changin'” is a standout track by the renowned band, The Byrds, released on October 4, 1965. This song was written by the iconic Bob Dylan and was featured on The Byrds’ second album, Turn! Turn! Turn!. It was one of two cover songs included on the album, with the other being “Lay Down Your Weary Tune.”
Jim McGuinn, the leader of The Byrds, performed this track and his distinctive twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar is a key feature of the song. McGuinn’s performance brings a unique and memorable sound to the song, which is both powerful and moving.
The release of “The Times They Are A-Changin'” was a pivotal moment in The Byrds’ career. It highlighted their musical talent and deep passion for the folk rock genre. The song’s lyrics, penned by Dylan, reflect the spirit of change and transformation that was prevalent in the 1960s, making it a timeless anthem for social change.
The Byrds’ version of this song has remained beloved through the years. Its strong melody and impactful lyrics continue to resonate with listeners, affirming its status as a classic in both the band’s discography and the broader music world. This track exemplifies The Byrds’ ability to take a powerful song and give it their own distinct flavor, ensuring its place in musical history.
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Lyrics
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
Admit that the waters
Around you have grown
Accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
Come writers and critics
Prophesize with your pen
Keep your eyes open
The chance won’t come again
And watch what you say
Or the wheel’s still in spin
There’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he who gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin’
It rattle your windows
And shake down your walls
For the times they are a-changin’
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don’t criticize
What you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Get out of the new one
If you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’