AboutThom Expertise I will attempt to answer any questions relating to Bob Dylan`s life, music, religion, tours, lyrics, etc. If I don`t know the answer myself, I will make an effort to find the answer for you.
Experience Over 40 years of listening to Dylan, reading everything I could get my hands on about him.
Publications Eureka Times Standard
Eureka Ca.
Education/Credentials 5 years college without degrees
Question QUESTION: Do you think this song is about Alcohol, and not really a woman? It seems to me that he stopped drinking and this is how he felt. There is a similar poem, even with the words "if you see her say hello" about alcohol. Thanks for your input.
~Lauren
ANSWER: I don't know what led you to beleive this might be about alcohol. As obscure as some of his songs are; this is not one of them. I feel that this is simply a love song, with not much 'hidden' meanings. Thom
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I grew up listening to Bob Dylan (my Dad is a huge fan)and after reading the following poem in High School, I always wondered... Either way, it's an amazing song and I listen to it often. No matter what the reason, you feel his pain in every word. Take care and thank you for the speedy response. I was just looking for another opinion and I appreciate yours.
Be Well,
~Lauren --- Read on...
I first met her when I was 10 years old.......She was older then I was and she was very exciting. She was always around my home as I was growing up. My parents warned me to have nothing to do with her. They told me that no good would come from our relationship. I started seeing her, using her and going with her whenever I could. She was so sophisticated and worldly that it made me feel grown up by just being with her. It was fun to take her to parties in those days. She was almost always the center of attraction. We began seeing more of each other as I went thru High School, Graduation, my first job. She started to go everywhere with me, but I was not blind. I knew that she was un-faithful to me, but , what's worse, I did Not Care !!!! As long as she was there when I needed her (and she always was) it didn't matter. The longer I was around her the more I became attached to her. But, the feeling wasn't mutual. She began to delight in making me look foolish in front of my family and friends. But, I could not give her up. Ours finally became a Love/Hate relationship. I figured out that her glamour was nothing more than a cheap mask to hide her spite and cynicism. I could no longer see her beauty after I came to know her true character. But, old habits die hard. I was Alone, Sad and hurt. I needed someone to lean on. We had invested many years in each other. Even though my relationship with her made me lose my self respect, she had become the center of my life. We didn't go anywhere, we did not do anything. It was just the two of us. I kept breaking up with her for days, weeks, months, but we kept getting back together. She became the center of my life and I was too weak to tell her to leave. Finally, I had enough......I told her that I was leaving her for good. I had tried to leave before and at times it worked, for days, weeks and months but she always came back and made my life worse. I am determined to leave her forever this time. I know that this leaving will take a lot of guts and will power, but I do have help in leaving and forgetting her. Her and her family is all around, and I’m not bragging when I say she would take me back at any time. But by the grace of God I will never take up with her again. She has caused me Great pain and Suffering. She has caused the loss of my family, friends, and self respect. She can do anything she wants to get me back. But, that is ok......I have the desire and help to stay away from her. Staying away from her I can keep what I have and earn back much of what I have lost. Life will never be like before, but it will be great and wonderful without her. I don't hate her. My problem was that I fell in love with her and I loved her too much to let go of her at any cost to me. If you see her, say hello. I am sure you know her family, the name is "Alcohol".
Answer That was a helluva letter you sent. Wow. Sounded to me like a personal story. I allmost feel as though I know you, and maybe I do. Do you live in NY or PA?
I see the correlation you made in this song. Did you say that you were only 19? You have a whole lifetime ahead of you, regardless of your age; to explore the incredible collection of music by Dylan and the people he has played with, Enjoy. Any other questions, I'll be here. Have been at least 3 years. Bye for now, Thom
