I and I

i love this song and think about its meaning often...

1. as others have mentioned it is def. a nod to Rastafarianism "I and I" is a phrase used by Rastas. I and I is a complex term, referring to the oneness of Jah (God) and every human. I and I is an expression to totalize the concept of oneness, the oneness of two persons. So God is within all of us and we're one people in fact. The term is often used in place of "you and I" or "we" among Rastafarians, implying that both persons are united under the love of Jah.
2. this song is heavily influenced by Rasta and the Old Testament. Think David and Bathsheba and King Solomon...
3. The way I see it, Bob is confessing to himself and to others that he cannot possibly live up to the expectations placed on him as "the leader/poet/voice of the generation". he has problems at home and is possibly unfaithful to his wife just like everyone else. He wants to be 'the man' but knows hes not. Someone else had to teach him about justice and truth, he didnt know it himself. Other people find joy and hope in his work but he still goes "barefoot" ie he is still looking.
4. Bottom line: he is being very humble in this song. he is just a man nothing more. he is happy that others recieve joy from what he does but he knows this joy comes from a higher power and not him directly...

love you bob!