It’s easy to go overboard with Bob Dylan fandom – Dylanology, etc. – and it’s true both that a little Bob goes a long way, and that most of his songs Make No Damn Sense Whatsoever, but surely we’d be a poorer culture without opening lines such as:
Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
and
They’re selling postcards of the hanging
They’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town
