Songwriter: Bob Dylan

William Zantzinger killed poor Hattie Carroll

With a cane that he twirled around his diamond ring finger

At a Baltimore hotel society gath'rin'

And the cops were called in and his weapon took from him

As they rode him in custody down to the station

And booked William Zantzinger for first-degree murder

But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

William Zantzinger, who at twenty-four years

Owns a tobacco farm of six hundred acres

With rich wealthy parents who provide and protect him

And high office relations in the politics of Maryland

Reacted to his deed with a shrug of his shoulders

And swear words and sneering, and his tongue it was snarling

In a matter of minutes on bail was out walking

But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

Hattie Carroll was a maid of the kitchen

She was fifty-one years old and gave birth to ten children

Who carried the dishes and took out the garbage

And never sat once at the head of the table

And didn't even talk to the people at the table

Who just cleaned up all the food from the table

And emptied the ashtrays on a whole other level

Got killed by a blow, lay slain by a cane

That sailed through the air and came down through the room

Doomed and determined to destroy all the gentle

And she never done nothing to William Zantzinger

But you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears

Take the rag away from your face

Now ain't the time for your tears

In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel

To show that all's equal and that the courts are on the level

And that the strings in the books ain't pulled and persuaded

And that even the nobles get properly handled

Once that the cops have chased after and caught 'em

And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom

Stared at the person who killed for no reason

Who just happened to be feelin' that way without warnin'

And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished

And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance

William Zantzinger with a six-month sentence

Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears

Bury the rag deep in your face

For now's the time for your tears

Judy Collins

Judith Marjorie Collins (1 May 1939 -) is an American singer and songwriter best known for her clear soprano voice, imaginative song interpretations and for her social activism. She was born in Seattle, Washington, but grew up in Denver, Colorado. She studied classical piano as a child, but turned to the guitar and folk music in her teens through the influence of Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger.

Collins enjoyed success in folk music from the mid 60s through the 70s, then slowly moved to a more eclectic mix of traditional folk, contem-porary, show tunes and pop. Her discography spans some three dozen albums, with the latest released in 2016.

Collins has also been active in politics and social issues. She actively supported the Youth International Party (the Yippies), founded by Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin. She went to Chicago to support the party’s demonstrations at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Hoffman, Rubin, and several others were arrested for their protest activities. Collins and writer Norman Mailer, Reverend Jesse Jackson, fellow folk singer Arlo Guthrie testified in support of the so-called Chicago Seven during their trial. Collins is also active in children’s issues. She became a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, and has traveled to Vietnam, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Macedonia in support of their fundraising efforts and their campaign to abolish landmines.