Works Cited
"." . N.p., n. d. Web. . <http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+6:24-26&version=KJV>.
Ben M. "John Lennon-Serve Yourself." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 18 Aug. 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
"Bob Dylan." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Bob_Dylan.html>.
"Bob Dylan Bio | Bob Dylan Career." MTV Artists. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://www.mtv.com/artists/bob-dylan/biography/>.
"Bob Dylan Pro.." flashcards. N.p., n.d. Web. . <http://quizlet.com/9093225/bob-dylan-pro-flash-cards/>.
cardplant. "Bob Dylan and Susan Tedeschi Highway 61 Revisited." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 10 Jan. 2014. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Cory Epps. "Solid Rock- Third Day." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 1 Aug. 2007. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Dylan, Bob. Lyrics 1962 - 2002. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004. Print
JasonHi. "Bob Dylan- "When You Gonna Wake Up Sermon- Tempe 1979." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 28 Apr. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
MICKEYDELFINO. "BOB DYLAN-WHEN HE RETURNS (COVER)." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 20 Jun. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
MrBrainfreezer. "Bob Dylan Saved." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 5 May. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
romilson carvalho. "in the garden legendado." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 21 Jun. 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Zakdayak. "Dylan's Forever Young from Biograph." Online Video Clip. YouTube. YouTube, 25 Nov. 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
Bob Dylan and Religion: The Musician's relationship with both Judaism and Christianity
Judaism: Personal Life
Childhood
-Dylan was born Robert Allen Zimmerman in 1941. His parents, Abe and Beatty Zimmerman, were Jewish immigrants from Ukraine.
-He was raised in Hibbing , Minnesota, which "had a stable Jewish community of about 300 people"
-He attended synagogue and his parents held leadership roles in the Jewish community.
-He had a Bar Mitzvah in Hibbing.
(Jewish Virtual Library)
Family
-Besides Dylan's parents, it is his children that indicate his relationship with Judaism.
-Dylan ensured that his children had a Bar Mitvah. He traveled to Israel in 1983 to attend his son's (Jesse) Bar Mitvah.
(Jewish Virtual Library)
Dylan as an American Rebel
Judaism: Lyrics
"Highway 61 Revisited"
Judaism
-The entire first stanza is a retelling of a seminal scene in the Old Testament, or Torah. Dylan describes, in the first stanza, God and Abraham's conversation about Abraham killing his son. Abraham is considered the father of Judaism. Dylan modernizes the scene by suggesting that God commanded Abraham to kill his son "Out on Highway 61" (7).
Oh God said to Abraham, "Kill me a son"
Abe says, "Man, you must be puttin' me on"
God say, "No." Abe say, "What ?"
God say, "You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin' you better run"
Well Abe says, "Where do you want this killin' done ?"
God says. "Out on Highway 61".
Well Georgia Sam he had a bloody nose
Welfare Department they wouldn't give him no clothes
He asked poor Howard where can I go
Howard said there's only one place I know
Sam said tell me quick man I got to run
Ol' Howard just pointed with his gun
And said that way down on Highway 61.
Well Mack the finger said to Louie the King
I got forty red white and blue shoe strings
And a thousand telephones that don't ring
Do you know where I can get ride of these things
And Louie the King said let me think for a minute son
And he said yes I think it can be easily done
Just take everything down to Highway 61.
Now the fifth daughter on the twelfth night
Told the first father that things weren't right
My complexion she said is much too white
He said come here and step into the light he says hmmm you're right
Let me tell second mother this has been done
But the second mother was with the seventh son
And they were both out on Highway 61.
Now the rowin' gambler he was very bored
He was tryin' to create a next world war
He found a promoter who nearly fell off the floor
He said I never engaged in this kind of thing before
But yes I think it can be very easily done
We'll just put some bleachers out in the sun
And have it on Highway 61.
Dylan Performing
"Forever Young"
Judaism
-Dylan's relationship with religion represents, in part, the way he was an American rebel. An American rebel is, in some ways, a person who does not cater to the wishes of others. It is someone who decides to live a certain way, be a particular person, and believe what they want- regardless of public opinion. Dylan's religiosity was not welcomed and accepted by his fans or artistic peers. He was chastised and mocked for it. Yet, even while he was booed at shows for "preaching," he continued to do so, because that is what he decided to do. He rebelled against the public's wishes. He voiced his religion. He was an American Rebel.
-The first line of the song alludes to a prominent Jewish blessing that comes from Numbers 6:24, which states: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee" (King James). Also, the line that states, "[m]ay you build a ladder to the stars / [a]nd climb on every rung" (5-6) is an allusion to the biblical story of Jacob, a story important to the Jewish tradition.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
Dylan Performing
"Neighborhood Bully"
Judaism
-This song is a clear defense of Israel, a nation with a rich Jewish heritage and, currently, a majority population of Jews. It is also, in a larger sense, a defense of Jewish people in general. The song attempts to convey what Dylan believes in ludicrousness; that is, the song tries to make the argument that Israel and its Jewish people have been relentlessly battered by the world, and the latest battering is the world's notion that they shouldn't fight back against antagonizing forces and if they do so they'll be labeled as bullies.
He got no allies to really speak of
What he gets he must pay for, he don’t get it out of love
He buys obsolete weapons and he won’t be denied
But no one sends flesh and blood to fight by his side
He’s the neighborhood bully
Well, he’s surrounded by pacifists who all want peace
They pray for it nightly that the bloodshed must cease
Now, they wouldn’t hurt a fly. To hurt one they would weep
They lay and they wait for this bully to fall asleep
He’s the neighborhood bully
Every empire that’s enslaved him is gone
Egypt and Rome, even the great Babylon
He’s made a garden of paradise in the desert sand
In bed with nobody, under no one’s command
He’s the neighborhood bully
Now his holiest books have been trampled upon
No contract he signed was worth what it was written on
He took the crumbs of the world and he turned it into wealth
Took sickness and disease and he turned it into health
He’s the neighborhood bully
What’s anybody indebted to him for?
Nothin’, they say. He just likes to cause war
Pride and prejudice and superstition indeed
They wait for this bully like a dog waits to feed
He’s the neighborhood bully
What has he done to wear so many scars?
Does he change the course of rivers? Does he pollute the moon and stars?
Neighborhood bully, standing on the hill
Running out the clock, time standing still
Neighborhood bully
Well, the neighborhood bully, he’s just one man
His enemies say he’s on their land
They got him outnumbered about a million to one
He got no place to escape to, no place to run
He’s the neighborhood bully
The neighborhood bully just lives to survive
He’s criticized and condemned for being alive
He’s not supposed to fight back, he’s supposed to have thick skin
He’s supposed to lay down and die when his door is kicked in
He’s the neighborhood bully
The neighborhood bully been driven out of every land
He’s wandered the earth an exiled man
Seen his family scattered, his people hounded and torn
He’s always on trial for just being born
He’s the neighborhood bully
Well, he knocked out a lynch mob, he was criticized
Old women condemned him, said he should apologize.
Then he destroyed a bomb factory, nobody was glad
The bombs were meant for him. He was supposed to feel bad
He’s the neighborhood bully
Well, the chances are against it and the odds are slim
That he’ll live by the rules that the world makes for him
’Cause there’s a noose at his neck and a gun at his back
And a license to kill him is given out to every maniac
He’s the neighborhood bully
Bob Dylan and Religion
Dylan interacted with and was influenced by Judaism and Christianity.
Both Dylan's lyrics and personal life reflect this religious influence.
Christianity
-Influence on personal life
-Actions and Statements
-Influence on lyrics
-"Gotta Serve Somebody"
-When He Returns"
-"Saved"
-"Solid Rock"
-"In the Garden"
Judaism
-Influence on personal life
-Childhood
-Family
-Influence on lyrics
-"All Along the Watchtower"
-"Forever Young"
-"Neighborhood Bully"
Christianity: Personal Life
Actions and Statements
- "In late 1978, Dylan announced that he was a born-again Christian, and he launched a series of Christian albums" (AboutDylan)
- Dylan met with pastors from the Hollywood Vineyard Church at the bequest of his girlfriend, Mary Alice, who had dedicated her life to Christianity. He, subsequently, became a born-again Christian and joined the Vineyard Church.
"Years ago they ... said I was a prophet. I used to say, "No I'm not a prophet" they say "Yes you are, you're a prophet." I said, "No it's not me." They used to say "You sure are a prophet." They used to convince me I was a prophet. Now I come out and say Jesus Christ is the answer. They say, "Bob Dylan's no prophet." They just can't handle it" (BobDylanPro)
"Jesus is real and I wanted that" (BobDylanPro)
-His Christianity was looked down upon my many fans and artists. He lost many fans, because during performances he'd take breaks to preach to the crowd and confess his love for Jesus Christ.
Christianity: Lyrics
"When He Returns"
"Gotta Serve Somebody"
Christianity
-In these lyrics, Dylan proposes that people should "[s]urrender" their "crowns," because "He" (Jesus) will be returning to judge, "set up His throne," and set the world right (14,15,20).
-Stanza after stanza, Dylan describes all types of people and implies that no matter who a person is, what they're job is, or how they're identified they will inevitably have to serve someone. He presents two options on who to serve: the devil or the Lord. It is clear that Dylan is proposing people should serve the Lord.
The iron hand it ain’t no match for the iron rod
The strongest wall will crumble and fall to a mighty God
For all those who have eyes and all those who have ears
It is only He who can reduce me to tears
Don’t you cry and don’t you die and don’t you burn
For like a thief in the night, He’ll replace wrong with right
When He returns
Truth is an arrow and the gate is narrow that it passes through
He unleashed His power at an unknown hour that no one knew
How long can I listen to the lies of prejudice?
How long can I stay drunk on fear out in the wilderness?
Can I cast it aside, all this loyalty and this pride?
Will I ever learn that there’ll be no peace, that the war won’t cease
Until He returns?
Surrender your crown on this blood-stained ground, take off your mask
He sees your deeds, He knows your needs even before you ask
How long can you falsify and deny what is real?
How long can you hate yourself for the weakness you conceal?
Of every earthly plan that be known to man, He is unconcerned
He’s got plans of His own to set up His throne
When He returns
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a preacher with your spiritual pride
You may be a city councilman taking bribes on the side
You may be workin’ in a barbershop, you may know how to cut hair
You may be somebody’s mistress, may be somebody’s heir
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
Might like to wear cotton, might like to wear silk
Might like to drink whiskey, might like to drink milk
You might like to eat caviar, you might like to eat bread
You may be sleeping on the floor, sleeping in a king-sized bed
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may call me Terry, you may call me Timmy
You may call me Bobby, you may call me Zimmy
You may call me R.J., you may call me Ray
You may call me anything but no matter what you say
You’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may be an ambassador to England or France
You may like to gamble, you might like to dance
You may be the heavyweight champion of the world
You may be a socialite with a long string of pearls
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You might be a rock ’n’ roll addict prancing on the stage
You might have drugs at your command, women in a cage
You may be a businessman or some high-degree thief
They may call you Doctor or they may call you Chief
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a state trooper, you might be a young Turk
You may be the head of some big TV network
You may be rich or poor, you may be blind or lame
You may be living in another country under another name
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody, yes indeed
You’re gonna have to serve somebody
Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord
But you’re gonna have to serve somebody
You may be a construction worker working on a home
You may be living in a mansion or you might live in a dome
You might own guns and you might even own tanks
You might be somebody’s landlord, you might even own banks
Dylan *Not Performing
John Lennon's Response
-Interestingly, John Lennon, shortly before his death, responded to Dylan's "Gotta Serve Somebody" with a song that presents another option for whom a person might serve. The song is titled, "Serve Yourself"
"Solid Rock"
Christianity
-In these lyrics, Dylan tells of the way he is "hangin' on to a solid rock" (1). The rock is representative of his faith, of Jesus, and of Christianity. This representation implies that Christianity is a strong, unwavering force on which to ground oneself. The lyrics also describe the way Jesus was mistreated on behalf of humanity.
Well, I’m hangin’ on to a solid rock
Made before the foundation of the world
And I won’t let go, and I can’t let go, won’t let go
And I can’t let go, won’t let go and I can’t let go no more
For me He was chastised, for me He was hated
For me He was rejected by a world that He created
Nations are angry, cursed are some
People are expecting a false peace to come
Well, I’m hangin’ on to a solid rock
Made before the foundation of the world
And I won’t let go and I can’t let go, won’t let go
And I can’t let go, won’t let go and I can’t let go no more
It’s the ways of the flesh to war against the spirit
Twenty-four hours a day you can feel it and you can hear it
Using all the devices under the sun
And He never give up ’til the battle’s lost or won
Well, I’m hangin’ on to a solid rock
Made before the foundation of the world
And I won’t let go and I can’t let go, won’t let go
And I can’t let go, won’t let go and I can’t let go no more
Dylan *Not Performing
"In the Garden"
"Saved"
Christianity
-These lyrics are simultaneously a declaration of Dylan's faith in the idea that Jesus, "the lamb / [s]aved" him from spiritual death and an offering of thanks to Jesus for that sacrifice (10,11).
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
The multitude wanted to make Him king, put a crown upon His head
Why did He slip away to a quiet place instead?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
Did they speak out against Him, did they dare?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
He said, “All power is given to Me in heaven and on earth”
Did they know right then and there what the power was worth?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When He rose from the dead, did they believe?
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
Did they know He was the Son of God, did they know that He was Lord?
Did they hear when He told Peter, “Peter, put up your sword”?
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When they came for Him in the garden, did they know?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
Nicodemus came at night so he wouldn’t be seen by men
Saying, “Master, tell me why a man must be born again”
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He spoke to them in the city, did they hear?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
When He said, “Pick up your bed and walk, why must you criticize?
Same thing My Father do, I can do likewise”
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
When He healed the blind and crippled, did they see?
I was blinded by the devil
Born already ruined
Stone-cold dead
As I stepped out of the womb
By His grace I have been touched
By His word I have been healed
By His hand I’ve been delivered
By His spirit I’ve been sealed
I’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
Saved
And I’m so glad
Yes, I’m so glad
I’m so glad
So glad
I want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
Thank You, Lord
By His truth I can be upright
By His strength I do endure
By His power I’ve been lifted
In His love I am secure
He bought me with a price
Freed me from the pit
Full of emptiness and wrath
And the fire that burns in it
Dylan Performing
I’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
Saved
And I’m so glad
Yes, I’m so glad
I’m so glad
So glad
I want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
Thank You, Lord
Nobody to rescue me
Nobody would dare
I was going down for the last time
But by His mercy I’ve been spared
Not by works
But by faith in Him who called
For so long I’ve been hindered
For so long I’ve been stalled
I’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
By the blood of the lamb
Saved
Saved
And I’m so glad
Yes, I’m so glad
I’m so glad
So glad
I want to thank You, Lord
I just want to thank You, Lord
Thank You, Lord
Dylan Performing
Christianity
-These lyrics wonder at the people surrounding Jesus at the time he was taken from "the garden" of Gethsemane, as he "spoke [...] in the city, as "He healed," as he was crucified, and "[w]hen He rose from the dead" (1, 7, 14, 28). By questioning the attitudes, knowledge, and actions of the people surrounding Jesus at the aforementioned moments, Dylan is proposing that the story of Jesus and his resurrection is true.