You, an ambassador,
might like a long string of pearls.
You’re gonna be the Devil,
prancing on the stage.
They may call you chief,
but a trooper gonna have to
be Lord, have to be landlord.
Preacher Pride bribes
somebody’s heir.
Zimmy, no matter what you say,
you’re gonna have to serve.
Today’s offering is an erasure poem gleaned from Bob Dylan’s song, “Gotta Serve Somebody.” (full lyrics below)
Shay is today’s host of The Sunday Muse.
You may be an ambassador
To England or France
You might like to gamble
You might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight
Champion of the world
You might be a socialite
With a long string of pearls
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Yes indeed, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
Or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Might be a Rock-n-roll addict
Prancing on the stage
Money, Drugs at your command
Women in a cage
You may be a businessman
Or some high degree thief
They may call you doctor
Or they may call you chief
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Yes you are, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
Or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a state trooper
You might be a young Turk
You may be the head
Of some big TV network
You may be rich or poor
You may be blind or lame
Maybe livin’ in another Country
Under another name
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Yes you are, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
Or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Maybe a construction worker
Workin’ on a home
Might be livin’ in a Mansion
You might live in a dome
You may own guns
And you may even own tanks
You may be someone’s landlord
You may even own banks
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Yes, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
Or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a Preacher
Preaching Spiritual Pride
Maybe a City Councilman
Takin’ bribes on the side
Maybe working in a Barbershop
You may know how to cut hair
You may be somebody’s mistress
Maybe somebody’s heir
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Yes, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
Or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Might like to wear cotton
Might like to wear silk
Might like to drink whiskey
Might like to drink milk
Might like to eat caviar
You might like to eat bread
Maybe sleeping on the floor
Sleepin’ in a king-size bed
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Yes indeed, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
Or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may call me Terry
You may call me Timmy
You may call me Bobby
Or you may call me Zimmy
You may call me RJ
You may call me Ray
You may call me anything
No matter what you say
You’re still gonna have to serve somebody
Yes, you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well it may be the Devil
And it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Ohh Yeah
Serve Somebody
Songwriter: Bob Dylan
Tao Talk 
Glad to see you at Muse again! See you Tuesday at that other place. 🙂
–Shay
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Thanks much, Shay! See you there 🙂
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Cool piece Lisa, and killer source song! 😉✌🏼⭐️
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Thanks, Rob! I was torn between that song and Politician by Cream but this song had more lyrics to choose from 🙂
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This is quite brilliant, Lisa! Erasure poetry is not easy … you made it look thus. Bob Dylan for the assist. LOL
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Helen, thank you! So glad you enjoyed my collaboration with Zimmy 🙂
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You torqued Dylan into an enigmatic ditty!
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I love the word torqued! Indeed I did! Even Zimmy gotta serve somebody!
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Cool rub-out of Mr. Zimmerman lyrics! I sort of like yours better…
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Thanks, q!
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This is so cool Lisa! A hard form that you made look easy!
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Carrie, thank you 🙂
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I needs do an erasure poem again, you did well with this one. I’m not knowing this Bob Dylan song, it is nice also.
..
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Thank you, Jim. I think this was one of Bob’s actual radio hits and I think it was part of a movie soundtrack.
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I feel such an ignoramus – I’ve not come across erasure poetry before. But I like it!
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Marion, give it a shot, it’s fun to do. Any page of anything works but if you’re looking for a certain mood, you can choose a work that reflects it.
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Several of the poems written for this prompt have reminded me of this song, and you have used the form cleverly.
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Thank you very much!
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Very cool erasure, you picked all the best words. Wish his song could be sung to politicians, many of whom have forgotten they are there to serve. Smiles.
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Thanks, Sherry, and yes, it should. That seems to have fallen by the wayside hasn’t it.
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Yes and yes again. (K)
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I learn so much from you! Now it’s about erasure poetry, which I’ve never heard of. I get it! Very cool…….
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Cool, Stacey. It can be any written thing also. I saw one a person did using a quote engraved on a monument. I dare you to try one!
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You mean actually use my brain for something new? lol
I dare myself to try one!
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🙂 ::cackling with delight::
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I like how you partnered with Bob to make something else…
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Max, thank you! I liked the collaboration 😉
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