Percy's Song

Percy's Song is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan.It was recorded for The Times They Are A-Changing album but was not included. It was released on Biograph (album) in 1985.
The song centers on a car crash and the manslaughter sentence that is handed down to the driver (who is the narrator's friend). The narrator claims that his friend's sentence of "ninety-nine years" in Joliet Prison is too harsh for an accident.
It has been pointed out that Dylan uses the exact opposite argument in his song "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll," when the narrator says that the sentence handed down to "William Zantzinger" is far too lenient.
Joan Baez can be seen performing "Percy's Song" on the film Don't Look Back.

Cover Versions

Fairport Convention - Unhalfbricking (1969)

Arlo Guthrie - Washington County (1970)

Dave Waite & Marianne Segal - Paper Flowers (1968)
Michael Moore - Jewels & Binoculars: The Songs of Bob Dylan

----

References

Trager, Oliver. Keys to the Rain: The Ultimate Bob Dylan Encyclopedia ISBN 0-8230-7974-0

----

External links

* [http://bobdylan.com/moderntimes/songs/percy.html Lyrics]