I've lived in Texas so much of my life that it's hard to get used to a little chill in the morning air on the last day of August, which reminded me of one of my favorite Dylan songs, Summer Days. The opening line, "Summer days, summer nights are gone," reminds me of a line in the book of Jeremiah. It's part of Jeremiah's warning that Jerusalem's days of fat living and celebration are coming to an end. They are living fat on borrowed time, oblivious that they are sowing the seeds of their own destruction.
I don't know that Dylan is actually quoting Jeremiah here, but the theme of the song is sure in line with the message of the prophet. Dylan's songs are shot full with biblical illusions. Whether this is a direct quote or not, Dylan mimics the biblical world, thinks like the Bible, especially the prophetic sections. So, at the end of Summer days, and with the Fall elections just ahead, I'm singing with Dylan, "I've got eight carburetors, boys I'm using them all . . . I'm short on gas, my motors beginning to stall."
(And, this song has one of my favorite all time Dylan lyrics, "Well, my back has been to the wall for so long, it seems like it's stuck. Why don't you break my heart one more time just for good luck.").
Summer days, summer nights are gone
Summer days and the summer nights are gone
I know a place where there's still somethin' going on
I got a house on a hill, I got hogs all out on in the mud
I got a house on a hill, I got hogs out lying in the mud
Got a long haired woman, she got royal Indian blood
Everybody get ready - lift up your glasses and sing
Everybody get ready to lift up your glasses and sing
Well, I'm standin' on the table, I'm proposing a toast to the King
Well I'm drivin' in the flats in a Cadillac car
The girls all say, "You're a worn out star"
My pockets are loaded and I'm spending every dime
How can you say you love someone else when you know it's me all the time?
Well, the fog's so thick you can't spy the land
The fog is so thick that you can't even spy the land
What good are you anyway, if you can't stand up to some old businessman?
Wedding bells ringin', the choir is beginning to sing
Yes, the wedding bells are ringing and the choir is beginning to sing
What looks good in the day, at night is another thing
She's looking into my eyes, she's holding my hand
She's looking into my eyes, she's holding my hand
She says, "You can't repeat the past." I say, "You can't? What do you mean, you can't? Of course you can."
Where do you come from? Where do you go?
Sorry that's nothin' you would need to know
Well, my back has been to the wall for so long, it seems like it's stuck
Why don't you break my heart one more time just for good luck
I got eight carburetors, boys I'm using 'em all
Well, I got eight carburetors and boys, I'm using 'em all
I'm short on gas, my motor's starting to stall
My dogs are barking, there must be someone around
My dogs are barking, there must be someone around
I got my hammer ringin', pretty baby, but the nails ain't goin' down
You got something to say, speak or hold your peace
Well, you got something to say, speak now or hold your peace
If it's information you want you can go get it from the police
Politician got on his jogging shoes
He must be running for office, got no time to lose
He been suckin' the blood out of the genius of generosity
You been rolling your eyes - you been teasing me
Standing by God's river, my soul is beginnin' to shake
Standing by God's river, my soul is beginnin' to shake
I'm countin' on you love, to give me a break
Well, I'm leaving in the morning as soon as the dark clouds lift
Yes, I'm leaving in the morning just as soon as the dark clouds lift
Gonna break the roof in - set fire to the place as a parting gift
Summer days, summer nights are gone
Summer days, summer nights are gone
I know a place where there's still somethin' going on
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