Two small wooden chairs side by side and one separate empty chair on a gray-blue floor against a mustard wall.

Original artwork, not a still

Bob Dylan

Despite everybody who has been born and has died, the world has just gone on. I mean, look at Napoleon-but we went right on. Look at Harpo Marx-the world went around, it didn't stop for a second. It's sad but true. John Kennedy, right?

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker reflects that history keeps moving no matter who has lived or died, whether a famous conqueror, a comedian or a president. The tone is matter-of-fact and a little sad: no individual, however prominent, makes the world pause, and the closing question invites agreement.

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