Who Killed Davey Moore
"Who Killed Davey Moore" was a topical song written in 1963 by American folk singer/songwriter Bob Dylan. Though the song was not commercially released on Dylan's several studio albums in the 60s, it was popular in his repertoire for live shows during that era. It would later be released on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991 in 1991, and on The Bootleg Series Vol. 6: Bob Dylan Live 1964, Concert at Philharmonic Hall, released in 2004.
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Background
Davey Moore was an American boxer whose career spanned from 1953-1963. (A second boxer named Davey Moore also competed in the 1980s.) Known as 'The Little Giant', Moore stood at only 5 feet and 2 inches. On March 18, 1959 Moore won the World Featherweight Title from Hogan Bassey. Moore held the title for 4 years and 3 days, defending it 5 times before losing it to Cuban Sugar Ramos on March 21, 1963. During the fight with Ramos in Dodgers Stadium Moore was knocked down into the ropes during the 10th round. Moore lost by technical knockout at the end of the 10th round and Ramos took the title. Moore walked back to his dressing room and conducted post-fight interviews, stating his desire to fight Ramos again and regain the title. After reporters left he complained of headaches and fell unconscious. He was taken to White Memorial Hospital where he was diagnosed with inoperable brain damage. Moore never regained consciousness and died as a result of the affliction on March 25, 1963.
Criticism of Boxing
Following Moore's death, the morality of Boxing was debated by politicians and religious leaders alike. Folksinger Phil Ochs' song Davey Moore offered a harsh criticism of the sport and those affiliated with it. However Dylan's song delivered a more indirect message and a message that transcended the arena of boxing to include the enveloping society. In his typically ironic fashion, when Dylan introduced Who Killed Davey Moore during his October 31, 1964 show, he addressed the crowd-
"This a song about a boxer...
It's got nothing to do with boxing, it's just a song about a boxer really.
And, uh, it's not even having to do with a boxer, really.
It's got nothing to do with nothing.
But I fit all these words together...
that's all...
It's taken directly from the newspapers,
Nothing's been changed...
Except for the words."
[1]
Song Structure and Implications
Dylan's song borrows the structure of the children's rhyme Cock Robin. As Dylan takes the perspective of the referee, the crowd, the manager, the gambling man, the boxing writer, and Sugar Ramos he ends each line in the first person with the refrain
It wasn't me that made him fall.
No, you can't blame me at all.
Before the chorus, from most likely an objective voice
Who killed Davey Moore,
Why and what's the reason for?
[2]
Cock Robin
| "Who Killed Cock Robin" Roud #494 |
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 Cover of Death and Burial of Poor Cock Robin, being vivid illustrations of scenes of the poem, by Henry Louis Stephens, 1865. |
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| Written by | Traditional |
|---|---|
| Published | c. 1744 |
| Written | England |
| Language | English |
| Form | Nursery rhyme |
"Who Killed Cock Robin" is an English nursery rhyme, which has been much used as a murder archetype in world culture. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 494.
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Lyrics
The earliest record of the rhyme is in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book, published c. 1744, which noted only the first four verses. The extended version given below was not printed until c. 1770.[1]
- Who killed Cock Robin?
- I, said the Sparrow,
- with my bow and arrow,
- I killed Cock Robin.
- Who saw him die?
- I, said the Fly,
- with my little eye,
- I saw him die.
- Who caught his blood?
- I, said the Fish,
- with my little dish,
- I caught his blood.
- Who'll make the shroud?
- I, said the Beetle,
- with my thread and needle,
- I'll make the shroud.
- Who'll dig his grave?
- I, said the Owl,
- with my pick and shovel,
- I'll dig his grave.
- Who'll be the parson?
- I, said the Rook,
- with my little book,
- I'll be the parson.
- Who'll be the clerk?
- I, said the Lark,
- if it's not in the dark,
- I'll be the clerk.
- Who'll carry the link?
- I, said the Linnet,
- I'll fetch it in a minute,
- I'll carry the link.
- Who'll be chief mourner?
- I, said the Dove,
- I mourn for my love,
- I'll be chief mourner.
- Who'll carry the coffin?
- I, said the Kite,
- if it's not through the night,
- I'll carry the coffin.
- Who'll bear the pall?
- We, said the Wren,
- both the cock and the hen,
- We'll bear the pall.
- Who'll sing a psalm?
- I, said the Thrush,
- as she sat on a bush,
- I'll sing a psalm.
- Who'll toll the bell?
- I said the Bull,
- because I can pull,
- I'll toll the bell.
- All the birds of the air
- fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,
- when they heard the bell toll
- for poor Cock Robin.
The rhyme has been often reprinted with illustrations, as suitable reading material for small children. The rhyme also has an alternate ending where the sparrow who killed cock robin is hung for his crime though it's possible it was added in later
