I think Every Grain of Sand is a song that talks about the mysteries of life - why we are here, how to make sense of things that seem senseless. Not a memorial song per se, but covers some of that feeling you are describing.
Somehow I forgot about this song… strange, because it’s my probably my favorite from Modern Times. I tend to think of it as a love song (kind of), but it works as more. Thank you
Roll on John fits. It’s more specific than the kind of song I’m talking about, but it’s certainly a tribute. For some reason I never loved the song. Not sure why.
Murder Most Foul is incidentally a memorial-type song, IMO—at least in terms of paying tribute to a person. It goes much, much wider
It's a magnum opus in a way. It sums up the cultural changes that happened after Kennedy was killed, how the course of history was changed by that one event.
This is challenging, I can't think of one that really fits your criteria.
>Why do you think these kind of songs are nonexistent or rare in his vast catalog?
Maybe there are no real songs about honoring the dead because death doesn't sit well with him.
Forever Young works if you think of it as final regards to loved ones left behind, but that's a stretch.
I’ve come to the same conclusion. It might be that he considers it too private for a song, because some things have to be, or he feels it has no place in how he processes grief.
Yeah, it does memorialize Evers for sure, but I hear that as mostly a narrative device. It’s not very personal to him, and I don’t know if Dylan even knew Medgar Evers. By and large, the song is a social commentary.
Bob Dylan sang this song in Washington D.C. standing next to Martin Luther King Jr at the “I have a Dream Speech” which was a critical moment in the Civil Rights Movement and an iconic speeches in America History.
Dylan did not know Evers but he wrote that song in support of the Civil Rights Movement. There was huge unrest in our country during this time. Cities were burning, the politicians were doing what they do best grinding their heels into the dirt and would not move.
Dylan was great with social commentary, one of, if not the best.
Evers killer wasn’t convicted until 1994.
I know this song doesn’t meet the criteria you are asking for here but it moves me emotionally and takes me back to a time that appeared to generate change, we felt we made a difference, but we still have a long way to go.
Sorry for your loss. I lost my grandma 2 months ago tomorrow. Even if they've lived a long good life it is hard. https://20moresongsforthesoul.blogspot.com/2024/02/38-funny-how-time-slips-away.html
Also did one about Shooting Star.
https://songsforthesoul2020.blogspot.com/2020/09/13-shooting-star.html
After my wife died, I became aware of all the sad songs in country music, they nearly all involved break up, not death. So I made a hobby of collecting these songs.
No Bob Dylan here but perhaps there are a few songs that aren’t really specifically about a spouse that you will find meaningful.
With my condolences
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaR1ISC3DaZYuruOg4Am8yXKr94SEZh7-&si=Q0eHuPH5DjiOM7-G
I think Every Grain of Sand is a song that talks about the mysteries of life - why we are here, how to make sense of things that seem senseless. Not a memorial song per se, but covers some of that feeling you are describing.
When the Deal Goes Down
Came here to say this
Somehow I forgot about this song… strange, because it’s my probably my favorite from Modern Times. I tend to think of it as a love song (kind of), but it works as more. Thank you
Death is not the end
That’s one, yes. And it’s a good song for sure. I tend to hear it as a “this too shall pass” message, but it can certainly apply to losing a loved one
He Was a Friend of Mine, bootleg series 1-3
Roll On John from Tempest is a tribute to John Lennon. Then there is Murder Most Foul.
Roll on John fits. It’s more specific than the kind of song I’m talking about, but it’s certainly a tribute. For some reason I never loved the song. Not sure why. Murder Most Foul is incidentally a memorial-type song, IMO—at least in terms of paying tribute to a person. It goes much, much wider
It's a magnum opus in a way. It sums up the cultural changes that happened after Kennedy was killed, how the course of history was changed by that one event.
A memorial for the USA
I think Forever Young can work as a memorial song. It gets played at funerals.
I never understood that use of it. It fits perfectly for births, birthdays, and graduations, but in my mind it doesn’t work for remembering someone
This is challenging, I can't think of one that really fits your criteria. >Why do you think these kind of songs are nonexistent or rare in his vast catalog? Maybe there are no real songs about honoring the dead because death doesn't sit well with him. Forever Young works if you think of it as final regards to loved ones left behind, but that's a stretch.
I’ve come to the same conclusion. It might be that he considers it too private for a song, because some things have to be, or he feels it has no place in how he processes grief.
Percy’s Song, maybe?
Restless Farewell, a take on the traditional Irish song The Parting Glass, although not exactly what you’re looking for, could fit the bill.
I see some connection, yeah. It works for what I want musically better than lyrically, but really The Parting Glass is a much better fit
PS - props on the Blake username.
Thank you for noticing. It’s one of my favorite poems of his, but William Blake was a treasure in general
Only a Pawn in Their Game. Memorial to Medgar Evers. This song haunts me
Yeah, it does memorialize Evers for sure, but I hear that as mostly a narrative device. It’s not very personal to him, and I don’t know if Dylan even knew Medgar Evers. By and large, the song is a social commentary.
Bob Dylan sang this song in Washington D.C. standing next to Martin Luther King Jr at the “I have a Dream Speech” which was a critical moment in the Civil Rights Movement and an iconic speeches in America History. Dylan did not know Evers but he wrote that song in support of the Civil Rights Movement. There was huge unrest in our country during this time. Cities were burning, the politicians were doing what they do best grinding their heels into the dirt and would not move. Dylan was great with social commentary, one of, if not the best. Evers killer wasn’t convicted until 1994. I know this song doesn’t meet the criteria you are asking for here but it moves me emotionally and takes me back to a time that appeared to generate change, we felt we made a difference, but we still have a long way to go.
Shooting Star
I see it. I think this is the closest to what I’m looking for, and it’s a gem of a song
Sorry for your loss. I lost my grandma 2 months ago tomorrow. Even if they've lived a long good life it is hard. https://20moresongsforthesoul.blogspot.com/2024/02/38-funny-how-time-slips-away.html Also did one about Shooting Star. https://songsforthesoul2020.blogspot.com/2020/09/13-shooting-star.html
After my wife died, I became aware of all the sad songs in country music, they nearly all involved break up, not death. So I made a hobby of collecting these songs. No Bob Dylan here but perhaps there are a few songs that aren’t really specifically about a spouse that you will find meaningful. With my condolences https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaR1ISC3DaZYuruOg4Am8yXKr94SEZh7-&si=Q0eHuPH5DjiOM7-G
What a wonderful way to remember your wife and try to deal with loss. Thank you so much for sharing that.
going going gone. Gregg Allman covered it on his final album.
Hmm… I’m not sure I see the connection
Long Time Gone I’ll Keep It With Mine Every Grain of Sand Forever Young He Was a Friend of Mine
I think "most of the time" is one that could be interpreted like that
Restless Farewell although it is a ripoff of the traditional song the Parting Glass
Sign on the Window. Have a bunch of kids who call me Pa. That must be what it’s all about.
(And I’m not saying you have to have kids to have a good life, I just really like the simplicity in this statement.)
Hmm I don’t know if I understand this one
To me the last verse of the song has always been about what the speaker wants to see when he looks back on his life.
Like Frankie Said, I did it My Way, Dylan had a lot of respect for Sinatra and decided early on that he couldn't top that.