Dylan Song by Song: "Masters of War" Quiz

Answer: The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan

Columbia Records released Bob Dylan's second album, "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," on May 27, 1963. While his first album was primarily covers, all but two of the songs on this second album were written by Dylan himself. His songwriting ability brought him to national attention.

The album featured such popular songs as "Blowin' in the Wind," "I Shall Be Free," and "A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall."

Answer: Nottamun Town

"Clare's Dragoons" is an 18th century Irish folk ballad while "Dona, Dona" is a Jewish folk song once covered by Joan Baez in 1960. "Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song of the 16th century and the tune for the Christmas carol "What Child Is This?"

"Nottamum Town," also known as "Fair Nottamon Town" is thought by some to have originated in medieval England, and by others to be a purely American folk song gleaned from broadsides of the 18th through 19th centuries. Dylan used the arrangement from Jean Ritchie's version of this song for "Masters of War."

Answer: Cher

Bob Dylan's "Masters of War" has been covered by over 50 different artists, including Pete Seeger, Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, D.O.A., and Judy Collins.

Answer: Dwight Eisenhower

In his farewell address on January 17, 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned that we must guard against undue influence by the military-industrial complex. In 2001, Dylan told an interviewer for USA Today that "Masters of War" is "not an anti-war song.

It's speaking against what Eisenhower was calling a military-industrial complex [...] That spirit was in the air, and I picked it up."

Answer: Eddie Vedder

This live concert was given in Madison Square Garden on October 16, 1992 in celebration of thirty years of Bob Dylan's work as a recording artist. The concert was made available as a double album and contains covers from a diverse array of artists including Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and more. Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam covered "Masters of War." Lou Reed covered "Foot of Pride" and Richie Havens covered "Just Like A Woman." Billie Joe Armstrong is the lead singer of Green Day, which did not participate in the concert.

Answer: toy

The entire song is addressed directly to the military industrial complex, these "masters of war" who profit off the misery of others. "You fasten the triggers / For the others to fire," Dylan writes, "Then you set back and watch / When the death count gets higher."

Answer: ABCB

In "The Masters of War," every other line rhymes, following an ABCB rhyme scheme. This rhyme scheme is common in ballads.

One example from the song:

Like Judas of old (A)
You lie and deceive (B)
A world war can be won (C)
You want me to believe (B)

Answer: The Star Spangled Banner

Leon Russell, who passed away in 2016, had a music career spanning six decades and produced such albums as "One for the Road," "Bad Country," and "Life Journey." He ironically set Dylan's song "Masters of War" to the tune of "The Star Spangled Banner" on his 1970 album "Leon Russell."

Answer: afternoon

Nat Hentoff, who writes the album notes to "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan," quotes Bob Dylan as remarking, "I don't sing songs which hope people will die, but I couldn't help it with this one."

His death wish extends to the next few lines: "And I'll watch while you're lowered / Down to your death bed / And I'll stand o'er your grave / 'Til I'm sure that you're dead. "

Answer: Judas

The lyrics in question run: "Like Judas of old / You lie and deceive / A world war can be won / You want me to believe." In the Gospels, Judas betrays Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Judas is referenced in another war-related Dylan song, "With God On Our Side": "Through many a dark hour / I've been thinkin' about this / That Jesus Christ was / Betrayed by a kiss / But I can't think for you / You'll have to decide / Whether Judas Iscariot / Had God on his side."