At the end of this week, Iâll return to the key issues that Dylan addresses in âThe Ballad of Hollis Brown.â As part of that, Iâll look at one of if not the worst versions of the song ever sung … Continue reading →
âEx-Farm Family, now on WPA.â Photo credit: Dorothea Lange. Farm Security Administration, Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library Archives. In regard to âFair Ellenderâ â the subject of this blogâs first post â I suggested that the Brown Girlâs murderous act … Continue reading →
âNone recover, they are just replaced.â  â Robert Hunter, 1995 Note: This is Part 3 of a three part series.  See also Part 1 and Part 2. Introduction At the free concert at Altamont Speedway on December 6, 1969, an eighteen … Continue reading →
The last 10 minutes of the 1939 version of Of Mice and Men Note: this is Part 2 of a three part series. Â See also Part 1 and Part 3. Introduction Bob Weirâs revelation that John Steinbeckâs Of Mice and … Continue reading →
Note: this is Part 1 of a three part series. Â See also Part 2, and Part 3. Introduction âWe can share the women, we can share the wine. We can share what we got of yours, âcos we done shared … Continue reading →
The Lass of Loch Royal As Hamish Henderson noted in the link we discussed in the post that started this week with the deception May Margaretâs mother perpetrates on Willie matches that found in âLord Gregoryâ (lyrics) or âThe Lass of … Continue reading →
River Clyde, near Abington Drawn into the Clyde Water My introduction to âDrowned Loversâ began with hearing a spare bit of guitar playing, opening up with regular, almost transmitter-like pulses as the tenth track on Kate Rusbyâs solo debut album, … Continue reading →
The River Clyde âMotherâs Malisonâ (Child 216) If the first song discussed in this blog was about the potentially dire consequences of following the counsel of oneâs parents instead of the counsel of oneâs heart, this week weâll show just how … Continue reading →
The Last Judgment by Jean Cousin The Man Comes Around This will be a relatively short post.  Also, Iâll offer apologies to our loyal readers who may have seen some of what Iâm about to discuss in comments to an earlier … Continue reading →
Mary Magdalene in the Grotto, by Jules-Joseph Lefebvre The Ballad of Mary Magdalene This one is perhaps the biggest stretch, but as you may have noticed before, Iâm interested in how artists tell stories around a central, more well-known story. … Continue reading →
