Congratulations Mr. Bob Dylan – Nobel Prize Winner!!
Much is being made of a song writer winning the Nobel Prize for literature… well in my opinion Mr. Bob Dylan is a poet without compare. Poems in ancient times were meant to be song or performed, and if Mr. Dylan has this ability to perform his poetry, in my opinion it is no less wonderful poetry. Poetry should make us think, and feel. We should see depth and define our own meaning to poems. One of my favorite Dylan poems follows:
My Back Pages
Bob Dylan
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
Proud ’neath heated brow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
“Rip down all hate,” I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
“Equality,” I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Great stuff!
Complex poetry set to music allows (sometimes requires?) repeated listening to decipher a meaning, but not necessarily THE meaning. The enduring beauty of his works, and those of other similarly talented songwriters, is discovering nuances and sometimes entirely new interpretations and hues as we age, mature and experience life. These are gifts that just keep giving.
Yes, I found great meaning in “My Back Pages” as well as other Dylan lyrics. Thank you!