The Letter Bob Dylan Wrote To His Father Explaining Why He Left Hibbing

April 2, 2025

The night was quiet in Hibbing, Minnesota, but Bob Dylan’s heart was pounding with a mix of excitement and fear. He sat at his small desk, an old lamp casting a warm glow over his scribbled thoughts. He had just turned twenty and knew it was time to chase his dreams. The small-town life that had once felt comforting now felt like a shackle. He grabbed an envelope and began to write a letter to his father, hoping to explain the whirlwind of emotions that propelled him to leave his hometown behind.

“Dear Dad,” he wrote, each word carefully chosen. “I know you might not understand, but I have to go. I feel like there’s a whole world out there waiting for me, filled with music and stories that need to be told.” Bob could hear the echo of his father’s advice in his head, the same advice that had nudged him to focus on his studies and become someone stable. But Bob wasn’t made for stability. He was made for the stage, for the buzz of the crowd, and for the sound of a guitar strumming a melody that could change the world. As he wrote, he felt a mix of sadness and relief, realizing that this moment was a turning point in his life.

Bob recalled his childhood in Hibbing, where the snowy winters felt endless, and the small-town gossip was like a thick fog that hung over everyone. He had loved his family deeply, but the isolation began to suffocate him. He dreamt of New York City, where the streets pulsed with life and creativity, and where he could find his voice among other artists. “I want to be part of something bigger,” he poured his heart into the letter, explaining how he longed to write songs that would touch people’s hearts, songs that could spark change like the folk songs that had inspired him. “I believe I have something important to say.”

As he folded the letter, Bob felt a mix of fear and determination. He understood that leaving Hibbing would mean stepping into the unknown, facing challenges that could either break him or make him stronger. He hoped his father would understand that this was not just a whim but a calling he could not ignore. Bob knew that music was his true passion, and nothing could silence that voice inside him. With a deep breath, he tucked the letter into the envelope and sealed it, feeling that he was sealing away his old life, ready to embrace whatever awaited him.

Days turned into weeks, and before long he was on a Greyhound bus headed to New York City, his guitar resting beside him like a faithful companion. The streets were louder than he’d imagined, filled with the sounds of laughter, protest, and music. Bob quickly became a part of the vibrant folk scene, playing in small clubs, sharing his songs, and connecting with other artists. Each performance was a step further away from Hibbing, but also a step closer to becoming the artist he was meant to be. In the heart of the city, surrounded by kindred spirits, he began to craft songs that would eventually resonate with millions.

Years later, as he looked back on that letter he wrote in the quiet of his Hibbing room, Bob Dylan could hardly believe how far he’d come. He had become a voice for a generation, using his music to inspire and provoke thought. The journey wasn’t always easy, filled with struggles and doubts, but those early days in New York were where he found his strength. Leaving Hibbing had not only freed him but had also allowed him to forge a path that would lead to greatness. Each note he played and every song he wrote carried the spirit of resilience and passion, reminding him—and others—that following your heart can lead to unimaginable places.