Bob Dylan
William Zanzinger killed Hattie Carroll
With a cane that he twirled on his diamond ring finger
At a Baltimore hotel society gathering
The police were called in and his weapon took from him
They drove him into custody down at the station
Charged William Zanzinger with First Degree Murder
And you who philosophise disgrace and criticise my fears
Take that rag away from your face now’s not the time for your tears
When William Zanzinger was 24
He was farming tobacco on 600 acres
With rich wealthy parents to provide and protect him
High office relations in the politics of Maryland
Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders
With sneering and swear words his tongue it was snarling
In less than 10 minutes on bail was out walking
And you who philosophise disgrace and criticise my fears,
Take that rag away from your face now’s not the time for your tears.
Hattie Carroll was a maid who worked in the kitchen
51 years old she had 10 children
She carried the dishes and took out the garbage
She never once sat at the head of the table
She never even spoke to the people at the table
Just cleared all the food from the table
And emptied ashtrays on a whole other level
Killed by a blow and lay slain by a cane
That sailed through the air and came down through the room
Doomed and determined to destroy all that’s gentle
She never did nothing to William Zanzinger
And you who philosophise disgrace and criticise my fears
Take that rag away from your face now’s not the time for your tears
At the courtroom of honour the Judge pounded his gavel
To show all is equal and his court is on the level
That the strings and the books are not pulled or persuaded
Even the rich get properly treated
Once the cops have chased them and caught them
The ladder of the law has no top and no bottom
He stared at that man who had killed for no reason
Who just happened to be feeling that way without warning
He spoke through his cloak most deep and distinguished
And handed down strongly form penalty and repentance
Gave William Zanzinger a 6 month sentence
And you who philosophise disgrace and criticise my fears
Bury that rag most deep in your face now is the time for your tears.