This song is a tribute to George Jackson, a Black Panther leader who was killed during an attempted escape from San Quentin Prison in 1971. Jackson became a radical political activist while incarcerated, forming the Black Guerilla Family and becoming involved with the Black Panthers. His increased criticism of the US prison system and the racial tensions within it led to charges and denied appeals, culminating in his death. Bob Dylan, known for infusing folk music with intellectualism and addressing political and social themes, wrote this song to honor Jackson's story. It plays like a powerful statement on justice and the human spirit's fight against oppression.