So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
See for me if her hair's hanging down
It curls and falls all down her breast
See for me that her hair's hanging down
That's the way I remember her best
If you go when the snowflakes falls
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm
To keep her from the howlin' winds
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Please say "hello" to the one who lives there
Oh she was once a true love of mine
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
A true love of mine
A true love of mine
True love of mine
A true love of mine
A true love of mine
She was once a true love of mine
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
See for me if her hair's hanging down
It curls and falls all down her breast
See for me that her hair's hanging down
That's the way I remember her best
If you go when the snowflakes falls
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see for me if she's wearing a coat so warm
To keep her from the howlin' winds
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Please say "hello" to the one who lives there
Oh she was once a true love of mine
If you're travelin' in the north country fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
Oh, she once was a true love of mine
A true love of mine
A true love of mine
True love of mine
A true love of mine
A true love of mine
She was once a true love of mine
Lyrics submitted by icy40oz, edited by Mellow_Harsher, goodnews, dqgirl
Girl from the North Country Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I always thought this song was written for Joni Mitchell, although I am probably wrong in my dates but the line where he says
"..please see if her hair hangs long if it rolls and flows all down her breast.."
that line reminds me of both sides now, and since Joni was from Canada (and so am I ) I always thought maybe his north country line was a reference to Canada. All in all it's simply a great song, one of my favorites from Dylan.