Bob Dylan’s 1980 album, Saved, opens with an abbreviated rendition of a song called A Satisfied Mind, composed by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes. It serves sort of as a the placement of a tee, and then the album’s title track kicks in and hits the ball into the air.

Almost twenty years later, on November 9th, 1999, Dylan performed A Satisfied Mind live for what apparently stands as both the first and the last time, at a concert in Philadelphia, PA. I think it came out pretty nice, so it’s anyone’s guess why he never did it again — click here to hear it. (The first line, “How many times,” prompts a cheer of recognition from some in the crowd, who are naturally thinking of Blowin’ In The Wind.)

How many times have you heard someone say,
“If I had his money I could do things my way.”
But little they know that it’s so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind.

Once I was winning in fortune and fame;
Everything that I dreamed of to get a start in life’s game.
Then suddenly it happened, I lost every dime,
But I’m richer by far with a satisfied mind.

Money can’t buy back your youth when you’re old
Or a friend when you’re lonesome or a love that’s grown cold;
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind.

When life is over and my time has run out,
My friends and my loved ones I’ll leave, there’s no doubt.
But there’s one thing for certain, when it comes my time,
I’ll leave this old world with a satisfied mind.

One in ten never sounded like such bad odds to me. I have to say I’d be willing to take my chances.

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