From Uncasville, CT, on November 20th, 2001, here is a sample of Dylan and his band performing his song Mississippi.

Every step of the way we walk the line
Your days are numbered, so are mine
Time is pilin’ up, we struggle and we scrape
We’re all boxed in, nowhere to escape

It’s not the only Dylan song that stands up somehow — that still rings true — even in the worst of times. That quality, which so many of his songs have, is surely one of the defining features of his work. It’s something he no doubt learned in substantial part from the old folk and blues songs which he measured himself against. It has to do with being square and direct (an absence of ironic distance, despite the fact that the singer may be singing in a voice that is anything but his own), and maintaining an awareness of the inevitability of death, instead of maintaining a pretense that it might never come (as so much of pop culture does). It’s also about always keeping a finger on truths and mysteries which are, frankly, Biblical.

Every moment of existence seems like some dirty trick
Happiness can come suddenly and leave just as quick

…

While the world is asleep
You can look at it and weep
Few things you find are worthwhile
And though I don’t ask for much
No material things to touch
Lord, protect my child

…

I pity the poor immigrant
Who wishes he would’ve stayed home,
Who uses all his power to do evil
But in the end is always left so alone.
That man whom with his fingers cheats
And who lies with ev’ry breath,
Who passionately hates his life
And likewise, fears his death.

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