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Happy Birthday Bob

TheOldMole May 24 2008 03:07 PM

Bob Dylan's birthday -- as a little birthday tribute, a favorite Dylan song? Here's one from me, chosen because it probably won't be on anyone else's list, and it's an amazing song: Look out your window, baby, there's a scene you'd like to catch, The band is playing "Dixie," a man got his hand outstretched. Could be the Fuhrer Could be the local priest. You know sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. He got a sweet gift of gab, he got a harmonious tongue, He knows every song of love that ever has been sung. Good intentions can be evil, Both hands can be full of grease. You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Well, first he's in the background, then he's in the front, Both eyes are looking like they're on a rabbit hunt. Nobody can see through him, No, not even the Chief of Police. You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Well, he catch you when you're hoping for a glimpse of the sun, Catch you when your troubles feel like they weigh a ton. He could be standing next to you, The person that you'd notice least. I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Well, he can be fascinating, he can be dull, He can ride down Niagara Falls in the barrels of your skull. I can smell something cooking, I can tell there's going to be a feast. You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. He's a great humanitarian, he's a great philanthropist, He knows just where to touch you, honey, and how you like to be kissed. He'll put both his arms around you, You can feel the tender touch of the beast. You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Well, the howling wolf will howl tonight, the king snake will crawl, Trees that've stood for a thousand years suddenly will fall. Wanna get married? Do it now, Tomorrow all activity will cease. You know that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace. Somewhere Mama's weeping for her blue-eyed boy, She's holding them little white shoes and that little broken toy And he's following a star, The same one them three men followed from the East. I hear that sometimes Satan comes as a man of peace.

sharpie May 24 2008 09:59 PM

So many but here's one that was left off of "Infidels" which is, I think,better than anything that was on it: Seen the arrow on the doorpost Saying, "This land is condemned All the way from New Orleans To Jerusalem." I traveled through East Texas Where many martyrs fell And I know no one can sing the blues Like Blind Willie McTell Well, I heard the hoot owl singing As they were taking down the tents The stars above the barren trees Were his only audience Them charcoal gypsy maidens Can strut their feathers well But nobody can sing the blues Like Blind Willie McTell See them big plantations burning Hear the cracking of the whips Smell that sweet magnolia blooming (And) see the ghosts of slavery ships I can hear them tribes a-moaning (I can) hear the undertaker's bell (Yeah), nobody can sing the blues Like Blind Willie McTell There's a woman by the river With some fine young handsome man He's dressed up like a squire Bootlegged whiskey in his hand There's a chain gang on the highway I can hear them rebels yell And I know no one can sing the blues Like Blind Willie McTell Well, God is in heaven And we all want what's his But power and greed and corruptible seed Seem to be all that there is I'm gazing out the window Of the St. James Hotel And I know no one can sing the blues Like Blind Willie McTell http://youtube.com/watch?v=N8ddFe-IFuk

AG/DC May 24 2008 10:42 PM

Both choose songs that use tag lines in lieu of a chorus, which I think is oft a sign Dylanian quality.

TheOldMole May 25 2008 07:23 AM

A couple of other examples -- and other faves -- would be Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages.

John Cougar Lunchbucket May 25 2008 09:01 AM

Oh, I'm sailin' away my own true love, I'm sailin' away in the morning. Is there something I can send you from across the sea, From the place that I'll be landing? No, there's nothin' you can send me, my own true love, There's nothin' I wish to be ownin'. Just carry yourself back to me unspoiled, From across that lonesome ocean. Oh, but I just thought you might want something fine Made of silver or of golden, Either from the mountains of Madrid Or from the coast of Barcelona. Oh, but if I had the stars from the darkest night And the diamonds from the deepest ocean, I'd forsake them all for your sweet kiss, For that's all I'm wishin' to be ownin'. That I might be gone a long time And it's only that I'm askin', Is there something I can send you to remember me by, To make your time more easy passin'. Oh, how can, how can you ask me again, It only brings me sorrow. The same thing I want from you today, I would want again tomorrow. I got a letter on a lonesome day, It was from her ship a-sailin', Saying I don't know when I'll be comin' back again, It depends on how I'm a-feelin'. Well, if you, my love, must think that-a-way, I'm sure your mind is roamin'. I'm sure your heart is not with me, But with the country to where you're goin'. So take heed, take heed of the western wind, Take heed of the stormy weather. And yes, there's something you can send back to me, Spanish boots of Spanish leather.

AG/DC May 25 2008 09:59 AM

"Spanish Leather" is Cha's top Dylan song. Also refrain-less. You can have a different favorite Dylan song for every day of the year. Here's one that popped into my head this morning. Covered... The original...

themetfairy May 25 2008 10:06 AM

Palindromic homage to Bob by Weird Al -

Frayed Knot May 25 2008 11:20 AM

TheOldMole wrote: A couple of other examples -- and other faves -- would be Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages. And 'Tangled Up in Blue' and 'You're Gonna Make Me Lonsome When You Go', etc., etc. I'm a big fan of 'You're Gonna Make Me ...' these days. Like the man said, you could practically choose one for each day. A DJ on a local public station in Nassau County does a twice-weekly Dylan show (3 hours total) which is worth the occasional listen although can be frustratingly annoying at times. The guy obviously knows his Bobby D and spins a good variety most of the time. But then, at the same time, he persists in playing too many ancient live tapes from god-knows-when - many of which haven't aged well to the point where they sound as if recorded under water on some Fischer-Price portable. He also seems almost totally clueless about any other artsist but Bob.

metsguyinmichigan May 25 2008 08:57 PM

"I Believe in You" from Slow Train Coming. Sinead O'Connor's version on A Very Special Christmas 2 is outstanding. They ask "me how I feel And if my love is real And how I know I'll make it through. And they, they look at me and frown, They'd like to drive me from this town, They don't want me around 'Cause I believe in you. They show me to the door, They say don't come back no more 'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to, And I walk out on my own A thousand miles from home But I don't feel alone 'Cause I believe in you. I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter, I believe in you even though we be apart. I believe in you even on the morning after. Oh, when the dawn is nearing Oh, when the night is disappearing Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart. Don't let me drift too far, Keep me where you are Where I will always be renewed. And that which you've given me today Is worth more than I could pay And no matter what they say I believe in you. I believe in you when winter turn to summer, I believe in you when white turn to black, I believe in you even though I be outnumbered. Oh, though the earth may shake me Oh, though my friends forsake me Oh, even that couldn't make me go back. Don't let me change my heart, Keep me set apart From all the plans they do pursue. And I, I don't mind the pain Don't mind the driving rain I know I will sustain 'Cause I believe in you.