![]() dylan and so many others saw right through them but as far as i know he was the only one to write a song about the absurdity of these "supporters" as they threw their dollars into hats near the various magicians and and singers theywere oblivious to the spectacal they were being goofed on(that's a word you don't hear too often anymore) after an afternoon of paying too much money for food at the local bistro, they packed the family into the chevy 9 seat wagon and drove home to Westchester or Jersey or connecticutwhere the would regale the folks at the office or the next cocktail party about their day among the radicals while they wrote checks to the family who were hosting the party to raise funds for a new playground in the town park. they wantedto expose their children to the aura that the 60s and early 70s emitted on Sundays at washington square and not realizing that to the locals he was the show for them. the song was about people coming to the village and trying to fit right with their hey dudes and and peace signs while wearing a brooks brother's sport jacket with leather patches at the elbows. When he/we hear the stillness we have found the answer he/we were looking for.īallad of a thin manwasn't about Jesus, although dylan had a high regard for Him in many of his songs before he became born again. The final answer to his question is answered in the no-sound stillness that comes when the music stops and the song ends. He realizes that the world is not the answer to his question. He is worn thin but thinness allows the spirit to shine through. Even though this song ends with Dylan still not understanding what is, spiritually, Dylan has reached a tipping point. As a final insult he should be made to listen “wear earphones” rather than speak. He mocks his label of voice of a generation saying that a law needs to be passed to keep him from pretending to be spiritually aware. However this time he is wearing a “frown” weighed down with responsibility like a pack animal “camel” He has put his awareness or keen insight of human nature “eyes” away in his pocket and his work now feels like has to put his “nose to the ground” or grindstone. And even through this humiliation he still doesn't understand “what it is”.įinally, Dylan ends up where he started the journey “walking into the room”. They tell him if he doesn't like it he can go back to being a nobody where he came from and “go home”. They are only concerned with getting “milk” or money from him. Dylan has become a cash “cow” for the record company. He demands that Dylan give him product “now” like he was a factory worker making widgets. The one-eyed midget is record executive who is only concerned with profiting from Dylan's success. But despite the title “voice of a generation” and all of his outward success Dylan still doesn't understand “what is.” ![]() Acknowledgment of Dylan's superiority in beat circles by one of the founders of the movement. Ginsberg gives him back beat voice that he borrowed or hands over the mantle. He asks him how it feels to be the new spiritual leader of the beat voice. He “kneels” and “crosses” himself at Dylan's feet. The sword swallower is a reference to beat poet Alan Ginsburg. Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you But despite the accolades and boost to his ego he still doesn't understand the ultimate meaning of “what is”. Scott Fitzgerald” and he has been recognized by the music industry for it. He says he has done his study of the musical masters “F. He is commenting that the movers and shakers of society are now in his inner circle and he has a reputation among important people like intellectuals “professors” and people within the music industry “lawyers” these also could include beat movement leaders. But the desire to know “what is” drives him on even as he mocks his own failed attempts. These constant attacks by critics, fans as well as playing the public relations and corporate profit game are starting to suck him dry creatively and are the reason Dylan ends up becoming a “thin” man by the end of the song. They want him to play the media/public relations game and sell out or “just give a check to charity” in order to clean up his image to sell records and play the game. He is also complaining that nobody appreciates him and in fact they all want something from him. When they don't get it or ”attack his imagination” or muse/musical ability. He is talking about business associates or non-beats “lumberjacks” or the press that are helping him navigate critics/public perception.
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