The Bob Vylan duo consists of Bobby Vylan (singer-guitarist) and Bobbie Vylan (drummer). Bobby Vylan’s real name is Pascal Robinson-Foster. He’s the singer and guitarist. Bobbie Vylan’s real name is Wade Laurence George. He is the drummer. Their careers began to take off only after they renamed themselves “Bob Vylan” in 2017. Now, after their antisemitic outbursts, Bob Dylan might be worrying about anyone thinking he is somehow linked to “Bob Vylan.” Perhaps he should be suing them for malicious misuse of his name.
We know what Bob Vylan thinks of Israel. He (the singer) told the world in Glastonbury: “Death, death to the IDF.”
We know what Bob Dylan thinks of Israel. He said it all in “Neighborhood Bully.”
Listen here:
And the lyrics are here. “Neighborhood Bully” by Bob Dylan:
Well, the neighborhood bully, he’s just one man
His enemies say he’s on their land
They got him outnumbered about a million to one
He got no place to escape to, no place to run
He’s the neighborhood bullyThe neighborhood bully just lives to survive
He’s criticized and condemned for being alive
He’s not supposed to fight back, he’s supposed to have thick skin
He’s supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in
He’s the neighborhood bullyThe neighborhood bully been driven out of every land
He’s wandered the earth an exiled man
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn
He’s always on trial for just being born
He’s the neighborhood bullyWell, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad
He’s the neighborhood bullyWell, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he’ll live by the rules that the world makes for him
’Cause there’s a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac
He’s the neighborhood bullyHe got no allies to really speak of
What he gets he must pay for, he don’t get it out of love
He buys obsolete weapons and he won’t be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side
He’s the neighborhood bullyWell, he’s surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldn’t hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
He’s the neighborhood bullyEvery empire that’s enslaved him is gone
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon
He’s made a garden of paradise in the desert sand
In bed with nobody, under no one’s command
He’s the neighborhood bullyNow his holiest books have been trampled upon
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health
He’s the neighborhood bullyWhat’s anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin’, they say. He just likes to cause war
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed
He’s the neighborhood bullyWhat has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill
Running out the clock, time standing still
Neighborhood bully
Rick Gordon says
I have always been a fan of Dylan. I am of his generation.
Thank you for sharing the lyrics. It is hard to imagine putting the dirt, lies, hatred, and violence back into the bottle – but it must be done. Every individual has to do their part. Don’t let lies or hateful speech go unanswered.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Is there even the remotest resemblance in the musical styles, genres…. of Dylan vs Vylan?
Hugh Fitzgerald says
No.
One is good. The other isn’t.
gravenimage says
True, enough, Hugh, And here he seems proud of making his neighborhood ugly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFqhJyvly1g
Westman says
“He buys obsolete weapons and he won’t be denied”
Anyone who has worked in the US defense industry knows the Israelis improve the weapons they buy from the US with the upgrade engineering then shared with the US. Even the best engineering texts are by Jews.
“But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side”
This finally stopped in 2024 when the Biden admin began shooting down Iranian missiles and was followed in 2025 by the Trump admin, additionally sending B-2 bombers, taking out Iranian nuclear development sites.
The notion the US won’t fight directly for Israel has been erased and is likely what kept Turkey from getting militarily involved.
Though there have been large protests concerning Gaza, it is still a minority. Thanks to modern person-to-masses communication, the world is getting a clear education of unwanted Islamic life and Islam’s plans for all Jews and infidels (everyone else).
Rarely says
“Vylan” is, of course. just a variant spelling of “villain”. Is that intended to refer to Dylan? Because Dylan is Jewish? Because he supports Israel?
Is it defamation to call someone a villain? It would be an interesting court case.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Dylan was Jewish? I had no idea: I thought that he was agnostic
Rarely says
Bob Zimmerman. Born and raised Jewish — 100%.
Converted to Christianity but still deeply intrenched in Judaism. His beliefs appear not to be anything mainstream.
Paul Randall says
Well he’s still Jewish by ethnicity even if he converted to Christianity. Jews are an ethno-religious group.
Jesus was also Jewish.
John Smith says
Bob Dylan is not just one of the most incredible song writing lyricists of our time, he is without doubt one of the greatest musical geniuses of our time. These vile talent less evil jihadi supporters that are vilifying his name will never be in his league. They are obnoxious creatures and I really do hope Bob Dylan does something about it.
Westman says
👍👍
Alkflaeda says
Maybe that should be vyle, evyl and vylifying.
aum says
Hugh – Thanks for sharing.
Great Lyrics- I saw Dylan at Black Bush many years ago.
Joseph says
Oh! I love Bob Dylan!
In my opinion it’s worthless to give more fame to the villains. They are terrible musicians, there is nothing original in their work and nothing seems like they will change.
Joseph says
Oh! I love Bob Dylan!
In my opinion it’s worthless to give more fame to the villains. They are terrible musicians, there is nothing original in their work and nothing seems like they will change.
gravenimage says
“Neighborhood Bully” is a *brilliant* song. It should be much better known.