Bob
Dylan: the Prophet’s Son The
sealed copy of "Love and Theft" remained on the
dining room table for a week. It had arrived on its
release date of September 11th
but the traumatic events of that day took it off the
radar screen for even the most zealous of Dylan fans.
After absorbing the news round the clock and how
everyone's lives were changed, a time came when both mind
and body needed a break, some relief. The wrapper came
off and the CD was played. As the words filled the air
its imagery was striking as it seemed to describe this
changed world and grabbed its verses from recent
headlines. Some may be spooked by the similarities in the
lyrics, mostly written in NYC a few months earlier,
others may find a comfort that there is a Presence that
is not indifferent to our world and that He will still
use men with a willing spirit to be vessels to
demonstrate His love and concern to a fallen creation. The
morning show anchors were well into their second hour
when their broadcast was interrupted with the news that a
plane had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade
Center in lower New York City. Part of any broadcaster's
training is simply that you always got to be prepared,
but you never know for what. As they attempted to
provide information to their audiences about this tragic
"accident," their news day, and the world would
be changed forever. Behind them, captured on the TV
cameras was the approach of a second plane flying
directly into the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
At 9:03 am, in that minute of the day the bubble could
burst and it did. The United States of America was
under attack. The footage of lower Manhattan showed the
mass exodus of workers and residents of the stricken
area. New York City went into a lock-down to keep any
traffic from entering Manhattan but it was clearly
visible that if you asked people they would tell you that
they were avoiding the south side the best I can.
The talking heads were communicating with the city's
emergency desks trying to find out more information about
what methods of escape were there for those trapped above
the floors that the planes hit. As reporters obtained
eyewitness reports from those who got out of the towers
it appeared that everybody’s moving, if they
ain't already there… everybody got to move
somewhere. All across America, because of the live
coverage, many looked back on the day with words such as
these: "when I left my home this morning the sky
split open wide." President
Bush had to go to Florida and when he was briefed
the President addressed the nation briefly from a school.
He knew he had to say something to the nation, but the
enormity of it all made him appear to be on the
fringes of the night, fighting back tears that [he] can't
control. Some people they ain't human, they got no
heart or soul and now we must defeat them. The
President's National Security team jumped into high gear
and began processing relative data as the Secret Service
made arrangements to bring the President home to
Washington D.C. These plans were aborted when at nine
forty five it was reported that a third plane had
crashed in D. C. into the Pentagon and a fourth plane was
hijacked but its whereabouts uncertain. At the Pentagon
battle weary veterans experienced the unimaginable. They
got out of here any way that they could. Many jumped
from windows or crawled through the corridors where
the air was thick and heavy. Back
in New York the evacuation continued and it was obvious
that the folks [would] lose their possessions
and if they could - the folks [were] leaving
town. But for many the horror only began. As those
trapped in the high floors became aware of their certain
fate they tried to get some control of their lives. Many
jumped 90 floors or more. Doctors say that their hearts
would have failed before impact. Those who jumped
appeared to be coffins dropping in the street like
balloons made out of lead. To those who could bear to
watch; they saw a sky full of fire and pain falling
down. For almost an hour the New York City Fire
Department and Police Departments had been dispatching
their personnel to do what they do... .rescue victims.
Many of these heroes were raised in the country
[and have] been working in the town. These brave
men and women knew that they may have been asked to pay
the ultimate price in service. As the firemen climbed up
the stair towers they each instinctively knew: my
clothes are wet, tight on my skin. Not as tight as the
corner that I painted myself in. Then
at 9:58 a.m. we watched some things that are too
horrible to be true. Things are breaking up out there.
The shacks are sliding down. Suddenly, the top
floors of the South Tower collapsed onto themselves. The
police and the firemen knew when they heard the rumble
that we struggle and we scrape. We're all boxed
in nowhere to escape. City's just a jungle, trapped in
the heart of it [and] trying to get away. To
those viewing this from afar the earth and sky melt
with flesh and bone. Then at 10:28 nothing
standing there. Highwater everywhere. The North Tower
was gone and so were hundreds of rescuers and possibly
thousands of civilians drowned in an ocean of steel and
concrete. "Don't reach out for me...can't you see
I'm drownin' too?" It's rough out there.
On the ground the survivors were trying to cope with the
enormity of the devastation. Many felt that they never
wanted to go back there - I'd rather have died. Aboard
the fourth plane which was reported hijacked, the
passengers learned of the fate of the three earlier
planes and the destruction on the ground. They banded
together to thwart the terrorists with a battle cry of
"Let's Roll!" They gave up their lives so that
others would not be harmed when the plane plowed into an
empty field in Shanksville, PA. I'm rollin
slow...goin' where the wild roses grow. President
Bush addressed the nation again from the Oval Office.
With tears in his eyes he reminded us he was a peace
loving man but.. ..he had a job to do and he intended to
do it. I'm preachin' peace and harmony, the blessings
of tranquility. But 1 know when the time is right to
strike! Back in New York much of the mass transit
system and bridges were closed to those in Manhattan this
left people stranded in the city that never sleeps. Then
an American phenomenon occurred... stories came with
recorded phone messages of those who though they awaited
gruesome deaths, had the presence of mind to comfort
those that they would leave behind. Content of these
endearments were similar to: I'm
tellin' myself 1 found true happiness. That I've still
got a dream that hasn't been repossessed Well,
my ship's been split to splinters and its sinking fast.
I'm drownin in the poison, got no future got no past. But
my heart is not weary, it's light and it's free. I've got
nothing but affection for all those who've sailed with
me. So
many things that we never will undo. 1 know you're sorry,
I'm sorry too For
whom does the bell toll for, love? It tolls for you and
me. They
were grateful to their loved ones. Others glanced into
photos on desks or at snapshots that were stuck inside
fire helmets and for the moment they were transported
back to where and with whom they wished to be: 1 need
something strong to distract my mind. I'm gonna look at
you till my eyes go blind On
Flight 93 over Pennsylvania many passengers, knowing
their death was certain had thoughtful conversations
transmitted over cell and airplane phones. They
heroically rose to the occasion, often with their loved
one's words of encouragement coming out of their ears.
The resolve of the passengers on Flight 93 is like a
chapter taken from the Alamo as they set their face like
flint. Well, the future for me is already a thing of
the past. You were my first love. You will be my last.
Gonna make you see how loyal and true a man can be.
Though many died young that day in their final moments
they may have recalled that their parents warned them not
to waste their years. . . . . . and they didn't. President
Bush, with each address to the nation began to reveal a
reserve of power and strength that many had not noticed.
The next day the President may have been crying to the
Lord - I'm trying to be meek and mild. But a face and
enemy had been identified and he had a job to do. The
attack was carried out by Islamic Fundamentalists loyal
to the Al-Qaeda and its leader, Usama Bin Ladin. Now the
President had to unite the nation and the civilized world
against a terrible evil and danger. He told us in few
words that he knew what everybody in the
world is up against. When the press put a microphone
before him, these were his words: "I want him
dead or alive. Either one, 1 don't care." He
warned the world that it was either on the side of the
terrorists or the side of those who cherish freedom and
he would judge the nations by their actions: If you
ever try to interfere with me or cross my path again, you
do so at the peril of your own life. I'm not quite as
cool or forgiving as 1 sound. I've seen enough heartache
and strife. Who
was this Usama Bin Ladin? He was a Saudi Arabian
multi-millionaire who wished to drive all Western
Civilization out of Islamic countries. The United States
had a military presence in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait
because in 1991 we protected those two sovereign states
from Saddam Hussein and his Iraqi forces. The USA also
aided the Afghani people (including Bin Ladin) in
fighting the Soviet Union when it occupied Afghanistan in
the 80s. For these benevolent acts, Bin Ladin wants to
pay us back with mass murder. Try to make things
better for someone. Sometimes you just end up making it a
thousand times worse. The United States has learned
first hand over her short history that lots of things
can get in the way when you are trying to do what's right. President
Bush joined New York City Mayor Giuliani and New York
Governor Pataki visiting what has been titled
"Ground Zero." President Bush walked past
legions of New York's civil servants. Probably few in
those ranks voted for Bush to be their
Commander-In-Chief, but like it or not that was his role
to play. And play it he did. He climbed atop a NYC fire
truck and with one arm around a retired fireman, in a few
words through a bull horn told America what we needed to
sense so we might rally around "our" president.
Feel like a fightin' rooster. Feel better than I ever
felt. He promised the country that those who knocked
down these buildings would soon be hearing from us and
those in attendance roared their approval. The United
States had yet to react with military might but it was
coming.. .He then addressed both houses of Congress and
laid out his plan. The
enemy was being harbored by the Taliban regime and its
leader Mullah Omar in Afghanistan. The Taliban, in return
for financial support to institute an Islamic
Fundamentalist rule, allowed Usama to set up his base
camps where tens of thousands of Islamic zealots trained
in brutal warfare: They're throwing knives into the
tree. Two big bags of dead man's bones, they got their
noses to the grindstone. Living in the Land of Nod.
Trusting their fate to the hands of God. The
Al-Qaeda organization then sent its "graduates"
throughout the world awaiting Bin Ladin's orders. I'm
here to create the new imperial empire, I'm gonna do
whatever circumstances require. As his thugs spread
out, Bin Ladin and his top lieutenants hid in the
inhospitable terrain that is Afghanistan. His mode of
operation was to let the cat out of the cage all
the time that I'm keeping a low profile. President
Bush appealed to the Taliban to give up Bin Ladin, but,
bound by their religious extremism their response was: Neither
one gonna turn and run. They're making a voyage to the
sun. His Master's voice is calling me. The Taliban
sided with Bin Ladin. They may have underestimated the
resolve of President Bush and the American people to go
across the world to bring justice for those fallen.
Secretary of Defense Rumsfield would daily tell
reporters: It's not easy kicking someone out. Gotta
wait a while - it can be an unpleasant task.
Information soon surfaced on the identities of the
terrorist hijackers. It appears that they were in the
United States and found communities that welcomed them
and educated them. For several of them it was necessary
to go to Florida and dodge them Georgia laws or
other jurisdictions that might be a hindrance to their
diabolical plans. They passed by so silently their
activities failed to be noticed by U. S. authorities.. The
Bush administration began to solicit the help of other
nations and warned others to cease all support to
terrorists in their countries. I know who I can depend
on. I know who to trust. I am watching the roads. I am
studying the dust. The Bush Doctrine told all the
nations of the world that the civilized world would hold
responsible the terrorists and those that harbored them. You
can't open up your mind, boys to every conceivable point
of view. It was clear that harboring terrorists
placed host countries in a precariously dangerous
predicament Your presence is obnoxious to me.
Several countries including Islamic Pakistan and Yemen
worked to rid their streets of AI-Qeda members. I've
had too much of your company. The
State Department of the U. S. tried to assemble a
coalition to fight against worldwide terrorism. Our
ambassadors found that some people will offer you
their hands and some won't. From Europe and the Arab
world we were answered with criticism or contempt. U.S.
blood was shed to defend many of the nations that now
turned their back during this time of need. To these
countries it can be said, last night I knew you,
tonight I don't. Four
weeks after September 11th, U. S. Forces began the
military action Operation Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan. The U.S. has no desire to occupy Afghanistan
but to liberate it from the brutal rule of the Taliban.
Our goal is clear: I am gonna spare the defeated - I'm
gonna speak to the crowd. I am goin' to teach peace to
the conquered. I am gonna tame the proud As
the war effort begins Usama and Omar with their
bodyguards take to the hills as the United States begins
to freeze their assets: They're one day older and a
dollar short. They've got a parade permit and a police
escort. They're lying low and making hay. They seem
determined to go all the way. The
U.S. Forces are shown on TV doing night drops to gather
information on the enemy in dangerous weather and
terrain: Fog is so thick you can't even spy the land
and other times they came ashore in the dead of the
night. The caves that Al Qaeda uses will be a threat
to the forces for months to come: Plenty
of places to hide things here. If you want to hide 'em
bad enough. The battles will be brutal and those
willing to give their lives will be endless as their
leader Bin Ladin and Omar hide out in fortresses: My
captain, he's decorated-he's well schooled and
he's skilled. He's not sentimental at all about how many
of his pals have been killed. The final captains
of 4 airplanes on 9/11 did not even advise their pals
that they were doomed on this murderous/suicidal mission,
so quipped their Captain Usama Bin Ladin on a video
tape several weeks later. But now the times have
changed, we cried and now it is their time to cry a
while as our forces come ashore in the dead of the
night. Operation
Enduring freedom pounds the Afghan countryside but few
Al-Qaeda surrender: I'm not sorry for nothin' I've
done. I'm glad I fought - I only wish we'd won. Bin
Ladin proves to be...Like some feudal lord. He
got more lives than a cat: Omar and Muslim clerics
seek to incite their followers to kill the Infidels:
I'm preaching the Word of God. I'm putting out your eyes.
From an early age, Muslim males are taught to hate and to
seek a victory over non Muslims. Well, a childish
dream is a deathless need. He'll stab you where
you stand. Women in Afghanistan suffer greatly under
strict Islamic rule and mistrust and disrespect for them
are taught. They are best left in the house unseen
because there ain't no limit to the amount of trouble
women bring. If
the terrorists thought that they could bring America to
her knees, they were very mistaken. Try
to bully you - strong arm you - inspire you with fear. It
has the opposite effect. The United States of America
and her Allies were made stronger. At home, a nation
tries to heal and rebuild. In Washington DC, Shanksville,
P A, and Ground Zero, NYC, tireless workers labor 24/7
amidst the devastation that once held abundant life
before 9/11. When they could express themselves, you may
have heard thoughts like this: I'm
having a hard time believin' some people were ever alive.
These
memories I got can strangle a man Well,
the emptiness is endless, cold as the clay. You can
always come back, but you can't come back all the way. My
tears keep flowing to the sea You
got a way of tearing a world apart. See what you've done. Every
moment of existence seems like a dirty trick All
my powers of expression and thoughts so sublime, could
never do you justice in reason or rhyme Today
has been a sad and lonesome day Setting
my dial on the radio I wish my mother was still alive Some
of these memories you can learn to live with and some of
them you can't I
keep listening for footsteps but I ain't ever hearing any Donations
to charities that were to direct their receipts to 9/11
were blessed with the generosity of millions. Though
there were problems in the administration of the funds it
was soon aided by the appointment of a master to
facilitate its charter. People soon learned that
fortune is waiting to be kind and it is. Americans
are faced with new limitations on their free society. The
ease in which Americans traveled was hampered with new
security guidelines. This did not sit too well with our
maverick nature because sometimes somebody wants
you to give something up and tears or not it is too much
to ask. Bringing all of rational thinking to
bear on the situation our reaction could still be that
ain't it funny, how the things you have the hardest
time parting with are the things you need the least. In
1963, at the genesis of his song writing career, Bob
Dylan wrote A Hard Rain 'sA-Gonna Fall. The song
is filled with random imagery of a world gone mad or bad.
Much like the imagery we envision throughout "Love
and Theft." In the last verse of A Hard Rain's A
Gonna Fall the "father" asks his son what
is he gonna do now that he has seen, listened, walked
through and possibly dreamt of experiences that his
fellow man may not have had. The son replies that he will
put it in song and that he will sing it loud so that all
men can hear it. This "son" also has his
parent's advice oozing out of his ears and even at
sixty years of age he is determined not to waste his
years. The prophets of the Bible knew that they had a
role to play in the midst of tragedy and chaos. They
exhorted their contemporaries and the generations that
followed to look deeper and learn of Scriptural truths
that will guide us through. Has Dylan once again been
used by our Creator to bring His very existence into
focus? A teaching of Moses from Psalm 90 is quoted with
this line in Mississippi: Every
step of the way we walk the line. Your days are numbered.
So are mine. It
has often been suggested that Dylan uses the placement of
the last track on a CD to impart a special message. On
"Love and Theft" that last track is Sugar
Baby. Here are some lyrics that may not speak of 9/11
but of the future brought home by the events of 9/11: You
can't turn back, you can't come back. Sometimes we push
too far. One day you'll open up your eyes and you'll see
where we are. Look up, look up...seek your Maker 'fore Gabriel blows his horn Ronnie Keohane May 2002
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ALSO SEE: Dylan & The Frucht (a book by Ronnie Keohane)
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