Lyric discussion by res07njc 

The song is arabic/spanish/greek... as it's arranged in phrygian mode.

As far as meaning, it's classic Dylan, interpreting the existance (and relationship) between Man and Woman. I wouldn't read too specific into it. It must be understood from (what is likely) his point of view.. intense love. The man's ability to love a woman, to desire her, solely, irrelevant of status, means, wealth.. simply her sexiness. The sexiness, of course, has a price.. her mind is 10 milleniums behind his; she is a simpleton, oblivious to his complexeities. Yet, her simplicities are a dagger. He knows this.. takes want he can from her, as she is already (still) under the spell of other men. Disgusted with his desires, drags his own dagger across her upon exit... Metaphorically.

@res07njc : Very interesting. COuld also be that she is superior in her “simplicity”. Although subject to her fathers dominance, she is closer to the real world/nature than he is in his “complexity” as you write it. Her “pleasure knoes no limits” she’s close to true nature, and her loyalty is “to the stars above”:

And your pleasure knows no limits Your voice is like a meadowlark But your heart is like an ocean Mysterious and dark

She is probably more ture to life than most of us.

Just a thought of course :-)

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