It's fascinating to slow down the experience of this song, just like this. It's so easy simple to notice a couple of lines, when there's thought-provoking content throughout. Enjoyed this.
Thanks for this video, Jeff. I love hearing your interpretations on lyrics. There’s a Thoreau quote about a thousand people hacking at the branches of evil but only one is hacking at the root. Maybe that line about a branch dripping with blood carries inspiration from the quote 🤔
I wanted to go back and listen to the song again before saying anything and what struck me is that he's roaring out a warning about the future and dedicating his life to fighting the terrible things he sees, though he doesn't expect many people to heed him - those that have ears only. Good to hear from you!
In interviews, Dylan has said the song was inspired by the overwhelming amount of information and events happening in the world at the time. Each line could have been the basis for an entire song, he explained. Rather than directly addressing one single issue, it captures a mosaic of fears, struggles, and observations, making it as relevant today as it was in the 1960s.
Best Dylan song ever. To come up with something like this at such a young age is phenomenal. He got the opening lines from a poem called Lord Randell, but everything else is pure Dylan. Also, a Boston punk band used to close their shows with a rousing version of If I Had a Hammer. I didn't hear the Folk version until much later.
Toiling away in my woodworking shop one day and listening to horrific accounts of children in the Congo conscripted to extract diamonds from the deepest depths, I despaired. Not five minutes later, an autistic child I had befriended entered exuberantly, strode straightway to my workbench, extended an outstretched palm, and gifted me with a collection of coins. "This is for all you've done for me and others," he smiled brightly, saving a day I had rued. Having imagined something like guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children, my often troubled young friend gave me a reassuring rainbow, restoring my faith in humanity. I still see Ben and his grandmother from time to time, and always remind them of the hope he imparted so graciously that day. I appreciate your thoughtful commentary, leaving Dylan's masterpiece for each of us to interpret according to our individual experience as we walk together through life. Thank you! A Hard Rain"s A-Gonna Fall speaks anew each time we hear it. God bless.
My absolute favorite Bob Dylan song! I was lucky enough to hear it in concert a few weeks ago. It was absolutely amazing. I always think of Dante's Divine Comedy when I hear it. Full of Biblical lines and imagery wrapped in short little snippets.
@CalicoSilver, I've read some of it. To me, the main connections I see are the disturbing images like people burning and drowning exc. Which to me is out of the inferno. But there are a few hopeful notes, which remind me of the paradise. Not really sure where purgatory fits in haha. I know there are also forests and dark imagery. But again I have absolutely no idea 😂. I just love making connections and see where it takes me.
Very thoughtful and enlightening--both Dylan and you. I assumed it was a warning of the threat of nuclear destruction as a result of the follies of mankind.
Thank you, it's always enjoyable to take a little time out of chaos to listen to these insights. The fist Dylan record (of sorts) that I listened to was something called More Bob Dylan Greatest Hits, released around 1971 I think, and probably sitting in my fathers record collection from that time until I picked it up around twenty years later. It was a disjointed collection of songs (none of which were ever really "hits"!), mostly enjoyable but not really something I'd listen to very much. Two tracks, however, stood out, sounding much older than the rest, almost like they were sung by someone else entirely. One was Tomorrow Is A Long Time, the other was A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, which was the reason I went shopping for other Dylan stuff. The question part of the song, I always heard as a paternalistic, I never really thought of it as more than a device on which to hang a series of dark visions. The delivery is so repetitive that it becomes like waves, adding to a sense of apocalyptic hopelessness that makes the final stanza's call to duty all the more potent. In terms of performance, the one from Japan in 1994 with orchestra backing is really worth listening to.
Thanks, Paul. I appreciate your comments about this song. I don't think I've ever heard the 1994 Japan performance with orchestra before...interesting...thanks for the recommendation. And I absolutely love "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" also - I made a video about it at th-cam.com/video/Va3iWw9NX3U/w-d-xo.html if you are interested.
I was a child when I first heard this song. I wasn't a Christian then but I thought it might have been the Father God speaking to God the Son. Just a thought!
Many, many thanks. 20 precious minutes well spent.
Thanks! I tend to go off on tangents sometimes but I figure it keeps things casual that way. Haha!
Excellent as always. Thanks
Thanks Trudy!
It's fascinating to slow down the experience of this song, just like this. It's so easy simple to notice a couple of lines, when there's thought-provoking content throughout. Enjoyed this.
Endlessly enjoyable song indeed!
Thanks for this video, Jeff. I love hearing your interpretations on lyrics. There’s a Thoreau quote about a thousand people hacking at the branches of evil but only one is hacking at the root. Maybe that line about a branch dripping with blood carries inspiration from the quote 🤔
Good point! Thanks!
I wanted to go back and listen to the song again before saying anything and what struck me is that he's roaring out a warning about the future and dedicating his life to fighting the terrible things he sees, though he doesn't expect many people to heed him - those that have ears only. Good to hear from you!
Thanks!
In interviews, Dylan has said the song was inspired by the overwhelming amount of information and events happening in the world at the time. Each line could have been the basis for an entire song, he explained. Rather than directly addressing one single issue, it captures a mosaic of fears, struggles, and observations, making it as relevant today as it was in the 1960s.
Very well done - first time I think I heard this was as a kid when I saw Born on the 4th of July - Edie Brickell’s version.
What a departure from the classic folk song!
Yes and this is why people took such notice at the time, I’m sure.
Best Dylan song ever. To come up with something like this at such a young age is phenomenal. He got the opening lines from a poem called Lord Randell, but everything else is pure Dylan. Also, a Boston punk band used to close their shows with a rousing version of If I Had a Hammer. I didn't hear the Folk version until much later.
Haha!! If I Had a Hammer would make a great driving punk song indeed.
I remember your Dylan albums "ranked" video which seems to be taken down. Thought that was a fun one as your criteria produced unexpected results.
The ranking changes daily so therefore was deemed by me to be worthless. Haha!
Toiling away in my woodworking shop one day and listening to horrific accounts of children in the Congo conscripted to extract diamonds from the deepest depths, I despaired.
Not five minutes later, an autistic child I had befriended entered exuberantly, strode straightway to my workbench, extended an outstretched palm, and gifted me with a collection of coins.
"This is for all you've done for me and others," he smiled brightly, saving a day I had rued.
Having imagined something like guns and sharp swords in the hands of young children, my often troubled young friend gave me a reassuring rainbow, restoring my faith in humanity.
I still see Ben and his grandmother from time to time, and always remind them of the hope he imparted so graciously that day.
I appreciate your thoughtful commentary, leaving Dylan's masterpiece for each of us to interpret according to our individual experience as we walk together through life.
Thank you!
A Hard Rain"s A-Gonna Fall speaks anew each time we hear it.
God bless.
@CalicoSilver
Much like my comment earlier today? ha
@@lamarschlabach3933 Haha!! Not at all, Lamar. I value and appreciate all of the comments I receive. 👍👍
My absolute favorite Bob Dylan song! I was lucky enough to hear it in concert a few weeks ago. It was absolutely amazing. I always think of Dante's Divine Comedy when I hear it. Full of Biblical lines and imagery wrapped in short little snippets.
I've never read Dante's Divine Comedy, believe it or not. It should be on my to-read list. Thanks!
@CalicoSilver, I've read some of it. To me, the main connections I see are the disturbing images like people burning and drowning exc. Which to me is out of the inferno. But there are a few hopeful notes, which remind me of the paradise. Not really sure where purgatory fits in haha. I know there are also forests and dark imagery. But again I have absolutely no idea 😂. I just love making connections and see where it takes me.
Very thoughtful and enlightening--both Dylan and you. I assumed it was a warning of the threat of nuclear destruction as a result of the follies of mankind.
I’m certainly weary (actually, disgusted) of the follies (actually, greed) of humanity, that’s for sure. Oh well. Nothing’s new. Haha!!
I am from Bangladesh. You are my favourite TH-camr ❤
Thank you Al Jaim!
Wonderful to enjoy yet another Dylan missive.
Thanks Dan.
Thank you, it's always enjoyable to take a little time out of chaos to listen to these insights. The fist Dylan record (of sorts) that I listened to was something called More Bob Dylan Greatest Hits, released around 1971 I think, and probably sitting in my fathers record collection from that time until I picked it up around twenty years later. It was a disjointed collection of songs (none of which were ever really "hits"!), mostly enjoyable but not really something I'd listen to very much. Two tracks, however, stood out, sounding much older than the rest, almost like they were sung by someone else entirely. One was Tomorrow Is A Long Time, the other was A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, which was the reason I went shopping for other Dylan stuff. The question part of the song, I always heard as a paternalistic, I never really thought of it as more than a device on which to hang a series of dark visions. The delivery is so repetitive that it becomes like waves, adding to a sense of apocalyptic hopelessness that makes the final stanza's call to duty all the more potent. In terms of performance, the one from Japan in 1994 with orchestra backing is really worth listening to.
Thanks, Paul. I appreciate your comments about this song. I don't think I've ever heard the 1994 Japan performance with orchestra before...interesting...thanks for the recommendation. And I absolutely love "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" also - I made a video about it at th-cam.com/video/Va3iWw9NX3U/w-d-xo.html if you are interested.
I was a child when I first heard this song. I wasn't a Christian then but I thought it might have been the Father God speaking to God the Son. Just a thought!
Good idea!
@@CalicoSilverInteresting thought.
Agrest song