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Yukiera Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

Bob Dylan's English

Hi. Does anyone know why Bob Dylan wrote "You're the reason I'm a-traveling on" instead of "You're the reason I'm traveling on" in his song 'Don't Think Twice, It's All Right.'?

I guess "a" is for emphasizing he's one of a traveling man and just wondering where to go. What do you think?
  

Top answer

yukiera a-traveling ... I guess "a" is for emphasizing he's one of a traveling man and just wondering where to go. No, it's got nothing to do with the article "a" that occurs before nouns.

— CalifJim

  • yukiera a-traveling ...
  • I guess "a" is for emphasizing he's one of a traveling man and just wondering where to go.
  • No, it's got nothing to do with the article "a" that occurs before nouns.
  • The -ing forms of verbs were frequently prefixed with "a" in older English, especially with verbs of motion if I remember correctly.
  • The form with both "a" and "ing" survived in the speech of rural people for quite some time after everyone else dropped the prefix "a".
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2 Answers
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yukieraa-traveling ... I guess "a" is for emphasizing he's one of a traveling man and just wondering where to go.
No, it's got nothing to do with the article "a" that occurs before nouns.

The -ing forms of verbs were frequently prefixed with "a" in older English, especially with verbs of motion if I remember correctly. The form with both "a" a
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Thank you for your comment. I didn't know much about older English. Thank you!
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