I have much admiration for Dylan’s work. I don’t know if it merits a Pulitzer, but I’m glad it was him and not Bono!
His music was frequently used for protests, but Dylan himself didn’t usually get involved in that sort of thing.
Hey-at least it wasn’t Dan Rather or Amanpour!
I would rather it have been Sting. More intelligible, more *intelligent* lyrics, far more versatile at writing, etc., etc.
For good reasons too. Dylan, IMHO, is actually far more conservative then his personna seems to project or as he is portayed or though of by those who worship the all mighty 'ANTI War' peacnik Bob.
Dylan did get caught up with the protest scene for a while, but came to his senses soon enough. Oh, the reactionaries were pissed when they heard these lyrics:
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.