What an amazing song. The big game is a metaphor for rock and roll, the battle against depression, the battle to survive. The players are the writers , performers, and characters who perfectly expressed this struggle 'to be me working, to be me helping, to be me honestly . . '
The first verse gives a sense of incredible silence and distance, a beautiful haunting sense of dislocation with which to view the great metaphor.
Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson ground the American literary tradition - both also were strong on not sugar-coating the truth in their own way. Luke the Drifter was Hank Williams' spiritual alias, and Zımmerman is, of course, Dylan. That's the American songwriting tradition. Johnny Unitas was a famous quarterback (the game apparently has the same rules and play as US football), I forget for which team. Berry is probably Chuck Berry, but there might also be a famous athlete by that name. All heroes who 'brought the first down again', or proved the power of their words and actions to uplift the human spirit against the darkness.
I'm not sure which Possums he's referring to - maybe a team, or maybe those who sleep and hide from the light? The line about the Man in Black seems to ask for mercy for the (recently departed, when this was recorded) Johnny Cash, to let him 'adjust his eyes to the light'.
The end is beautiful, but odd. 'I wouldn't want to disappoint them' seems to suggest that he's doing something evil and snake-like. But I think its clear which side of the big game Jason is on, and that the other team is Death.
Unfortunately for all of us, Death beat Jason one night in 2013. But he helped us win all the others - and still does. Every night.
Enjoyed reading your comments on this amazing song and wanted to offer the following.
Enjoyed reading your comments on this amazing song and wanted to offer the following.
Unitas to Berry likely refers to Johnny Unitas (QB) and Raymond Berry (Split End) who were considered to be a dominate passing and receiving duo while playing together for the Baltimore Colts from mid 1950’s to mid 1960’s.
Unitas to Berry likely refers to Johnny Unitas (QB) and Raymond Berry (Split End) who were considered to be a dominate passing and receiving duo while playing together for the Baltimore Colts from mid 1950’s to mid 1960’s.
The Possum is likely a reference to Country singer George Jones aka “The Possum”.
The Possum is likely a reference to Country singer George Jones aka “The Possum”.
No comments till 2018?
What an amazing song. The big game is a metaphor for rock and roll, the battle against depression, the battle to survive. The players are the writers , performers, and characters who perfectly expressed this struggle 'to be me working, to be me helping, to be me honestly . . '
The first verse gives a sense of incredible silence and distance, a beautiful haunting sense of dislocation with which to view the great metaphor.
Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson ground the American literary tradition - both also were strong on not sugar-coating the truth in their own way. Luke the Drifter was Hank Williams' spiritual alias, and Zımmerman is, of course, Dylan. That's the American songwriting tradition. Johnny Unitas was a famous quarterback (the game apparently has the same rules and play as US football), I forget for which team. Berry is probably Chuck Berry, but there might also be a famous athlete by that name. All heroes who 'brought the first down again', or proved the power of their words and actions to uplift the human spirit against the darkness.
I'm not sure which Possums he's referring to - maybe a team, or maybe those who sleep and hide from the light? The line about the Man in Black seems to ask for mercy for the (recently departed, when this was recorded) Johnny Cash, to let him 'adjust his eyes to the light'.
The end is beautiful, but odd. 'I wouldn't want to disappoint them' seems to suggest that he's doing something evil and snake-like. But I think its clear which side of the big game Jason is on, and that the other team is Death.
Unfortunately for all of us, Death beat Jason one night in 2013. But he helped us win all the others - and still does. Every night.
@nathan1149
@nathan1149
Enjoyed reading your comments on this amazing song and wanted to offer the following.
Enjoyed reading your comments on this amazing song and wanted to offer the following.
Unitas to Berry likely refers to Johnny Unitas (QB) and Raymond Berry (Split End) who were considered to be a dominate passing and receiving duo while playing together for the Baltimore Colts from mid 1950’s to mid 1960’s.
Unitas to Berry likely refers to Johnny Unitas (QB) and Raymond Berry (Split End) who were considered to be a dominate passing and receiving duo while playing together for the Baltimore Colts from mid 1950’s to mid 1960’s.
The Possum is likely a reference to Country singer George Jones aka “The Possum”.
The Possum is likely a reference to Country singer George Jones aka “The Possum”.
@nathan1149 https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bal-md.rodricks18sep18-column.html
@nathan1149 https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/bal-md.rodricks18sep18-column.html