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Dylan lyrics show religious themes

Thomas Stearns | 10:46 a.m. Nov. 3, 2007

Great piece. Interested readers might want to read "Dylan's Vision of Sin" by Christopher Ricks (2004). Ricks examines the connections in Dylan's writings/poetry to the seven deadly sins (pride, anger, lust, envy, sloth, greed, and covetousness), the four virtues (justice, temperance, and fortitude), and the three graces (faith, hope, charity).

Though Dylan has moved through a number of phases and has written a number of unwholesome songs, nevertheless, he has written many wonderful things.

"What good am I if I know and don't do; If I see and don't say; If I look right through you"

"Ring them bells so the world will know that God is One . . .; Oh the lines are long and the fighting is strong; And they're breaking down the distance between right and wrong."

Of course, there are many other great songs. "God Knows," "Lone Pilgrim," "The Disease of Conceit," "Beyond the Horizon," "Not Dark Yet," "Everything is Broken," "Ain't Talkin'," "Tryin' to Get to Heaven," and "Not Dark Yet."

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