Style of Masters of War

In the live version of “Masters of War”, Bob Dylan usually starts out with a guitar intro and talks to the audience. He tells them how “some people see this song…as very naive” but he doesn't care because he hopes that the real-life masters of war die. The fact that he takes the time to address his position and defend his beliefs from any critics is significant because it shows how Dylan was determined to spread his message no matter what people thought of the song. He contrasts the violence and horror of the lyrics with the peaceful quality of his voice. Only Dylan could sing about blood running into the mud or watching the masters of war being lowered into their graves and still keep up the folk music quality of the song. The contrast between what he is saying and the calming effects of his voice and guitar chords creates an interesting juxtaposition. It calls attention to the severe contrast between violent words and peaceful music. There were critics that argued that Dylan didn't have a powerful singing voice, but the lyrics more than make up for what his vocal chords lack. Professionals have argued that what Dylan says is more important than how he sounds, making him more of a poet than a musician. He left behind a lasting legacy of powerful words and opinions that added to a movement determined to bring peace to the world.