The Bible and Dylan

Think of Dylan and The Bible and you automatically think of the trio of Gospel albums much discussed on The Dylan Daily - Slow Train Coming (1979), Saved (1980) and Shot Of Love (1981).

But the influence of The Bible – more specifically, the King James version, from the early 17thC, with its striking, archaic language – is much wider - it can be discerned across a wide range of Dylan’s work.

I’d like to explore The Bible in Dylan, and would welcome the help of readers: specifically, can you recommend any books, chapters, articles, websites etc which cover the ground well?

I realise the dangers here – I’m no God-freak, and have no wish to lambast readers with silly missionary messages from zealots and fruitcakes. But if you are a Christian with serious ideas to offer, you are, of course, very welcome to contribute.

The obvious starting points covering Dylan and the Bible are:

* Gilmour, Michael J. Tangled Up In The Bible: Bob Dylan And Scripture, Continuum, 2004, 146pp, pbk.

* Marshall, Scott. Restless Pilgrim: the spiritual journey of Bob Dylan. Relevant Books, 2002, 188pp, pbk

* Williams, Paul. Dylan: What Happened? And Books, 1979, 125pp, pbk.

* Vernezze, Peter and Porter, Carl J, Bob Dylan And Philosophy: It’s Alright Ma, I’m Only Thinking, Chicago, Open Court, 2006, 205pp, pbk.

I’ll be discussing these, and others, in coming weeks, with the aim of collating a succinct summary of what’s known about The Bible and Dylan. I have no religious axe to grind, but acknowledge, despite my atheism, that The Bible’s influence is essential in getting to grips with Dylan’s great art.



Gerry Smith