I’ve ruminated before about Bob Dylan and the song Rock of Ages. Well, now I’m happy to say that there is a clip on YouTube of Dylan and the boys performing it on November 17th, 1999, in Durham, New Hampshire. (Click here to go to YouTube or play below.)

The tune features no shepherds or falling snow, but in its way it’s as relevant a song at Christmas as any other I could think of.

As the year draws towards a close, thanks to all readers of this space for taking the time to stop by, for feedback, and for all forms of support. It’s all deeply appreciated.

For the New Year, I had planned some expansion of the RWB media empire — I was going to purchase the Los Angeles Times, and a local television station or two, and really shake things up. However, looking at the ol’ credit card bill just now, I realize this scheme will have to be scaled back just a tad. Maybe we’ll have to make do with my intention to ramp up the Q&A feature with new and exciting content in the coming weeks.

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On his “Theme Time Radio Hour” Christmas show in 2006, which is being reprised this year by XM Satellite Radio, Bob Dylan read the poem Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It’s a poem that was written during the U.S. Civil War, and after a period of great personal tragedy for Longfellow (see “The Story Behind”).

May those bells, literally or figuratively, be pealing loud and deep wherever you are this Christmas.

Christmas Bells

“I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!”

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