The first stanza brings a feeling of a small Soutern community, maybe somewhere near New Orleans? It is a prequel of what happens in the song.
Contrary to popular belief, i think the man in the long black coat is not Death, or Satan, or even dark at all. He hangs around the outskirts. I think he is a loner, a journeyman, someone who travels without a home. The dust on is coat further symbolizes travel; the Grim Reaper would never be seen with a dirty cloak. The face like a mask shows that he has seen so much in his life that emotion has worn thin,like a man weary of so much experience.
I dont have much to say about the preacher.
There are no mistakes in life. The journeyman took her with him, but not for a dark purpose. I think he saved her life.
Treetrunks uprooted, smoke on water,added to the first stanza's mention of urricane breezes,makes me believe that something horrible hapened to the place where the girl lived. Maybe there was a storm and everything was destroyed,all her family died except for her,because the man saved her. "Beating on a dead horse" means that a particular conversation has ended, and coupled with the lines about her not speaking, probably means that she never told anybody about what had happened.
The lone journeyman, in a dusty blackcoat, knew that this town was going to be destroyed. He couldn't save the town,but one girl invited him to dance, and so she was the one he led away. It was no mistake that she survived,and when he brought her back, she was distrought, demanding to know why she had been the one saved, and not her friends and family. But he was silent, resolutein his decision. He left, and she never told anyone what had happened.
I found out my own interpretation throgh this paragraph :
I found out my own interpretation throgh this paragraph :
"He said every man's conscience is vile and depraved,
You cannot depend on it to be your guide
When it's you who must keep it satisfied.
It ain't easy to swallow, it sticks in the throat.... "
"He said every man's conscience is vile and depraved,
You cannot depend on it to be your guide
When it's you who must keep it satisfied.
It ain't easy to swallow, it sticks in the throat.... "
The man in the long black coat renounces to his own conscience ("cannot depend on it to be your guide" ), because he saw in himself, like in others, "vileness and depravation". It´s hard to accept that truth for the young ( innocent) woman, but she goes with him, with the man that doubt. There is some resignation when she goes, but also some kind of kidnapping, she left no "note even a note", not enthusiasm to go with him...
For me, the man in the long black coat and the young ( innocent) woman are, both the same person: Robert Zimmerman, he and his soul. Two aspects: the innocent soul - and the slynees soul contaminate for the world.
Robert Zimmermann had always a mask to protect himself "he had a face like a mask" that´s why his lyrics have always a secret to reveal; a Robert Zimmermann behind Bob Dylan.
BasilMelmothon March 19, 2014
The first stanza brings a feeling of a small Soutern community, maybe somewhere near New Orleans? It is a prequel of what happens in the song.
Contrary to popular belief, i think the man in the long black coat is not Death, or Satan, or even dark at all. He hangs around the outskirts. I think he is a loner, a journeyman, someone who travels without a home. The dust on is coat further symbolizes travel; the Grim Reaper would never be seen with a dirty cloak. The face like a mask shows that he has seen so much in his life that emotion has worn thin,like a man weary of so much experience.
I dont have much to say about the preacher.
There are no mistakes in life. The journeyman took her with him, but not for a dark purpose. I think he saved her life.
Treetrunks uprooted, smoke on water,added to the first stanza's mention of urricane breezes,makes me believe that something horrible hapened to the place where the girl lived. Maybe there was a storm and everything was destroyed,all her family died except for her,because the man saved her. "Beating on a dead horse" means that a particular conversation has ended, and coupled with the lines about her not speaking, probably means that she never told anybody about what had happened.
The lone journeyman, in a dusty blackcoat, knew that this town was going to be destroyed. He couldn't save the town,but one girl invited him to dance, and so she was the one he led away. It was no mistake that she survived,and when he brought her back, she was distrought, demanding to know why she had been the one saved, and not her friends and family. But he was silent, resolutein his decision. He left, and she never told anyone what had happened.
I found out my own interpretation throgh this paragraph :
I found out my own interpretation throgh this paragraph :
"He said every man's conscience is vile and depraved, You cannot depend on it to be your guide When it's you who must keep it satisfied. It ain't easy to swallow, it sticks in the throat.... "
"He said every man's conscience is vile and depraved, You cannot depend on it to be your guide When it's you who must keep it satisfied. It ain't easy to swallow, it sticks in the throat.... "
The man in the long black coat renounces to his own conscience ("cannot depend on it to be your guide" ), because he saw in himself, like in others, "vileness and depravation". It´s hard to accept that truth for the young ( innocent) woman, but she goes with him, with the man that doubt. There is some resignation when she goes, but also some kind of kidnapping, she left no "note even a note", not enthusiasm to go with him...
For me, the man in the long black coat and the young ( innocent) woman are, both the same person: Robert Zimmerman, he and his soul. Two aspects: the innocent soul - and the slynees soul contaminate for the world. Robert Zimmermann had always a mask to protect himself "he had a face like a mask" that´s why his lyrics have always a secret to reveal; a Robert Zimmermann behind Bob Dylan. BasilMelmothon March 19, 2014