The Line Dance, The Bob Dylan Shuffle, Part 1

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For my enjoyment, recently I've been listening to and thinking about my favorite lines from Bob Dylan songs. Viewed from this lens, his songs are interesting- there always seems to be a line or two even from his lesser celebrated songs that really sticks out to me- reverberates in my head- rattles the cage a bit- or gives me something to chew on.

Today, I put  Bob Dylan on "shuffle" and participated in this "favorite line" exercise. Lucky for me, the first song that came up was "Froggie Went A-Courtin'", which is actually an ancient English folk tune that finds its roots in the 16th century. It must be a great song. It's been around for that long. Staying power. Without further ado:

"Froggy Went A-Courtin'": A little piece of cornbread laying on the shelf/ if you want any more you can sing it yourself

"Idiot Wind":  She inherited a million bucks/ And when she died it came to me/ I can't help it if I'm lucky

"It Takes a Lot to Laugh it Takes a Train to Cry": I've been up all night/ leaning on the windowsill

"Ain't Talkin'": I practice a faith that's been long abandoned/ ain't no altars on this long and lonesome road

 "Baby, I'm in the mood for you": Sometimes I'm in a mood/ I wanna change my house around

 "License to Kill": Man is opposed to fair play/ he wants it all and he wants it his way

 "My Back Pages": Lies that life is black and white/ Spoke from my skull I dreamed/ romantic facts of musketeers/ foundation, deep, somehow/ ah, but I was so much older than/ I'm younger than that now

 "This Dream of You": I look away/ but I keep seeing it/ I don't want to believe/ but I keep believing it

 "One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)": I couldn't see when it started snowing/ Your voice was all I heard/ I couldn't see where we were going/ But you said you knew and I took your word

 "Series of Dreams": Wasn't making any great connection/ wasn't falling for any intricate scheme/ nothing that would pass inspection/ just thinking of a series of dreams



















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