My whole thing has been about disallowing demagoguery. The songs I recorded in my past, they’re almost like demos. I’m still trying to figure out what some of them are about. The more I play them, the better idea I have of how to play them. My audience has changed over a couple of times now, a lot of ‘em don’t even know ‘Like a Rolling Stone.’ They’re not enchanted by the past, and I don’t allow the past to encroach on the present.
-Bob Dylan (to Greg Kot – August, 1993)

Of war and peace the truth just twists
Its curfew gull just glides
Upon four-legged forest clouds
The cowboy angel rides

Let us pause in life’s pleasures and count its many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
There’s a song that will linger forever in our ears
Oh, hard times, come again no more

Go away from my window
Leave at your own chosen speed
I’m not the one you want, babe
I’m not the one you need

When your mother sends back all your invitations
And your father, to your sister he explains
That you’re tired of yourself and all of your creations
Won’t you come see me, Queen Jane

They say every man must need protection
They say every man must fall
Yet I swear I see my reflection
Some place so high above the wall