Tuesday, November 21, 2006

AIN'T BLOGGIN'

Since I'm hitting the road south again today to the old haunts and will be observing blog silence, it seems fitting to post some lines from Bob Dylan's "Ain't Talkin'"-- the song on Modern Times that most resonates with me, particularly as this section features some very unmellow thoughts that accord with my mood.

They say prayer has the power to heal
So pray for me mother
In the human heart an evil spirit can dwell
I am a-tryin' to love my neighbor and do good unto others
But oh, mother, things ain't going well

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
I'll burn that bridge before you can cross
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
There'll be no mercy for you once you've lost

Now I'm all worn down by weeping
My eyes are filled with tears, my lips are dry
If I catch my opponents ever sleeping
I'll just slaughter 'em where they lie

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Through the world mysterious and vague
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Walkin' through the cities of the plague.

Well, the whole world is filled with speculation
The whole wide world which people say is round
They will tear your mind away from contemplation
They will jump on your misfortune when you're down

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Eatin' hog-eyed grease in a hog-eyed town.
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Some day you'll be glad to have me around.

They will crush you with wealth and power
Every waking moment you could crack
I'll make the most of one last extra hour
I'll avenge my father's death then I'll step back

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
Hand me down my walkin' cane.
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Got to get you out of my miserable brain.

All my loyal and my much-loved companions
They approve of me and share my code
I practice a faith that's been long abandoned
Ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road

Ain't talkin', just walkin'
My mule is sick, my horse is blind.
Heart burnin', still yearnin'
Thinkin' 'bout that gal I left behind.


Enjoy "the Day" -- oh, and Thanksgiving Day too.

2 comments:

Andrew Shields said...

Yesterday, the first live version of "Ain't Talkin'" was the first song of the encore on the last show of the tour that Dylan just ended. In New York.

Donald Brown said...

Damn! I could've gone to the NY show, or the Philly show. Didn't know that was the end of the tour. Alas, for my indolence in not getting tickets, but I really dislike going to rock shows where you are assigned a prescribed seat.


uhfoby; phobic of "uh's"