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"Masters of War" is a song by Bob Dylan, written in 1963 and released on the album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. It is an adaptation, with new words by Dylan, of "Nottamun Town". As with many of the major songs Dylan composed at this time, he often adapted or "borrowed" melodies from traditional songs. On this occasion however, he had borrowed an arrangement by veteran folksinger Jean Ritchie. The arrangement of "Nottanum Town", unknown to Dylan, had been in her family for generations, and Ritchie wanted an acknowledgement on the writing credit. This, however, was not to be the case, as Dylan's lawyers paid her $5,000 to settle and agree not to make further claims.
There is a live, electric version on Dylan's Real Live album. In his 1994 Hiroshima concert, Dylan played the first acoustic version of "Masters of War" since 1963. Dylan also played the song in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on the night of the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
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