| Bob Dylan – Is Your Love in Vain? Lyrics | 2 years ago |
|
I think this song appears at first to be a conventional love song, but is in fact the first hint of Dylan's interest in Christ in his music. I read it as a jaded legend, who has seen it all, in disbelief that he could fall in love with Jesus, but still wanting to experience something so different from how his life had been up to that point. He has trepidation that in committing to faith that he will lose his core identity: "When I am in the darkness, why do you intrude? Do you know my world, do you know my kind Or must I explain? Will you let me be myself Or is your love in vain?" There is more Biblical imagery as he says "Well I’ve been to the mountain and I’ve been in the wind" which to me invokes Elijah on Mount Horeb, then he talks about earthly kings, and riches, and how they haven't impressed--so he's looking to the only thing bigger than those experiences--hesitantly and irresistibly falling in love with God. And I wish to echo the other comments here--one of his very best vocals! |
|
* This information can be up to 15 minutes delayed.