Key West (Philosopher Pirate). Royal Albert Hall — Night two. Bob Dylan and his band

(nightly moth recording)

Dec 03, 2024

Audio recording: 13th November, 2024. Royal Albert Hall, London. (nightly moth recording).

Bob Dylan and his band. Rough and Rowdy Ways tour, 2024..

I will update this page with links to the full recordings I made of the UK shows (I haven’t yet posted the lossless files of the recordings anywhere yet).

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Key West (Philosopher Pirate)

McKinley hollered — McKinley squalled
Doctor said McKinley — death is on the wall
Say it to me if you got something to confess
Well I heard all about it — he was going down slow
I heard it on the wireless radio
Early one morning — way down in Key West

I’m searching for love and inspiration
On that pirate radio station
Comin’ out of Luxembourg and Budapest
Radio signal clear as can be
I’m so deep in love I can hardly see
Down in the bottom — way down in Key West

Key West is the place to be
If you’re looking for immortality
Stay on the road — follow the highway sign
Key West is fine and fair
If you lost your mind, you’ll find it there
Key West is on the horizon line

I was born on the wrong side of the railroad track
Like Ginsberg and Corso and Kerouac
Like Louie and Jimmy and Buddy and all of the rest
Well it might not be the thing to do
But I’m sticking with you through and through
Down on the bottom — way down in Key West

I got both my feet planted square on the ground
Got my right hand high with the thumb down
Such is life — such is happiness
Hibiscus flowers grow everywhere here
If you wear one put it behind your ear
When you’re down on the bottom — when you’re down in Key West

Key West is the place to go
Down by the Gulf of Mexico
Beyond the sea — beyond the silver sand
Key West is the gateway key
To innocence and purity
Key West is…. the enchanted land

I’ve never lived in the land of Oz
Or wasted my time with a worthless cause
It’s hot down here, and you can’t be overdressed
The tiny blossoms of a toxic plant
They can make you dizzy — I’d like to help ya but I can’t
Down in the bottom — way down in Key West

The fishtail ponds and the orchid trees
They can give you the bleedin’ heart disease
Some people say — I oughta try a little tenderness
Amelia Street — Bay View Park
Walking in the shadows after dark
Way down here.. in Key West

I play the gumbo limbo spirituals
I know all the Hindu rituals
Some people say that I’m truly blessed
Bougainvillea bloomin’ in the summer and spring
Winter here is an unknown thing
Down on the bottom — way down in Key West

Key West is under the sun
Under the radar — under the gun
You stay to the left and then you move to the right
Feel the sunlight on your skin
And the healing virtues of the wind
Key West is the land of light

Wherever I travel — wherever I roam
I’m not that far from the convent home
I do what I think is right — what I think is best
Mystery Street off Mallory Square
Truman had his White House there
Eastbound — westbound
Way down in Key West

Twelve years old and they put me in a suit
Forced me to marry a prostitute
There were gold fringes on her wedding dress
That’s my story, not where it ends
She’s still cute, we’re still friends
Down in the bottom — way down in Key West

I play both sides against the middle
Tryin’ to pick up that pirate radio signal
I heard the news — I heard your last request
Fly around my Pretty Little Miss
I don’t love nobody — gimme a kiss
Down here in Key West

Key West is the place to be
If you’re looking for immortality
Key West is.. paradise divine
Key West is fine and fair
..If you lost your mind you’ll find it there
Key West is on the horizon line