This is one of Dylan's many songs about an approaching day of judgment. I've read in more than one of his biographies that even as a kid he enjoyed visiting churches and synagogues, reading the Bible, etc. I can think of no other major artist whose work is more filled with Biblical imagery. Now. Whatever your feelings about evangelicals or Christians, this was written right when Dylan was in his Christian "phase." He no doubt deplores hyprocrisy in the Christian church, but the warning of God's impending judgment is aimed not just at Christians but at all of us, especially Americans who have forgotten or rejected their Biblical heritage. God's judgment may be slow in coming, but it's coming. These apocolyptic songs show up all during his career. I heard it first in "The Hour That The Ship Comes In" ('64?) a song about judgement day if ever I've heard one. And "John Wesley Harding" is drenched in these images. "All Along the Watchtower" gives me chills. "Outside in the cold distance, a wildcat did growl. Two riders were approaching. The wind began to howl." Wowee!!! Pretty scarey! Whatever his spiritual beliefs are, many of his songs are filled with Biblical images and references, God's judgment among them.
This is one of Dylan's many songs about an approaching day of judgment. I've read in more than one of his biographies that even as a kid he enjoyed visiting churches and synagogues, reading the Bible, etc. I can think of no other major artist whose work is more filled with Biblical imagery. Now. Whatever your feelings about evangelicals or Christians, this was written right when Dylan was in his Christian "phase." He no doubt deplores hyprocrisy in the Christian church, but the warning of God's impending judgment is aimed not just at Christians but at all of us, especially Americans who have forgotten or rejected their Biblical heritage. God's judgment may be slow in coming, but it's coming. These apocolyptic songs show up all during his career. I heard it first in "The Hour That The Ship Comes In" ('64?) a song about judgement day if ever I've heard one. And "John Wesley Harding" is drenched in these images. "All Along the Watchtower" gives me chills. "Outside in the cold distance, a wildcat did growl. Two riders were approaching. The wind began to howl." Wowee!!! Pretty scarey! Whatever his spiritual beliefs are, many of his songs are filled with Biblical images and references, God's judgment among them.