He Was a Friend of Mine is a traditional
folk song in which the singer laments the death of a friend.
It has been recorded by Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Dave Van Ronk, Bobby Bare, Mercury Rev, The Mitchell Trio, Willie Nel
son, Nanci Griffith and Cat Power. The version recorded by Willie Nel
son was used in the film Brokeback Mountain and is credited to Dylan, who arranged an early version of the tune in 1962 (available on The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3 (Rare & Unreleased) 1961–1991).