I am translating this famous dylan song into italian, i'd like to know what does it mean: "threw the bums a dime" ... and what is, in the song, "the Mystery Tramp". thank you
2006-08-25 03:20:44 · 4 answers · asked by ge m 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
This song is very difficult to translate, because Bob Dylan liked to use images that are hard to understand. "Threw the bums a dime" does indeed mean she gave money to homeless people on the street. A "tramp" can mean someone poor who travels around ("tramp" can be a synonym for "walk"--it can also mean a woman of loose morals but I don't think that's what Dylan means here)...I've always thought the mystery tramp was some type of magical figure, a traveling hobo who knows everything, kind of like a medieval wandering holy fool...I'd just translate it literally, "mysterious traveler" or something. Only Bob Dylan knows what it really means!
2006-08-25 03:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by Kat 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Threw the bums a dime.........gave some loose (spare) coins ........dimes....... to tramps or beggars.......bums.
Sorry, can't help with The Mystery Tramp.
Good luck with the translation.
2006-08-25 03:28:45 · answer #2 · answered by lou b 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd assume he's talking about giving money to vagrants (home;ess people). But I could be wrong..
2006-08-25 03:24:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
giving money to a homeless person.
2006-08-25 03:26:29 · answer #4 · answered by che 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋