Sunday, January 18, 2009

When the Ship Comes In, Part 2


Well over two months ago, I held my breath and published my last post before the election: When the Ship Comes In. It consisted of nothing more than the first part of the lyrics to the famous Bob Dylan song.

Never had a song spoken out to me more; I had listened to it over and over for days before the election, and it is the one my daughter and I chose to blare out of the car as we triumphantly drove into Rodez the morning after, honking our horn and each raising an arm through the car window into the pouring rain.

At the time I didn't dare post the rest of the lyrics. First, it seemed so appropriate to finish with the line "the whole wide world is watchin'." Second, victory was not certain, and although the whole song uses the future tense, I couldn't quite bear to go so far as "you'll be conquered."

Of course Obama, in his laudable "let's work together" mentality, is certainly a better person than I am, for I cannot shake my rage over what Americans have gone through the past eight years. In spite of all the joy and hope in the USA now, I cannot forget that there were-- and still are -- foes.

And we finally beat them.

Oh the foes will rise
With the sleep still in their eyes
And they'll jerk from their beds and think they're dreamin'.
But they'll pinch themselves and squeal
And know that it's for real,
The hour when the ship comes in.
Then they'll raise their hands,
Sayin' we'll meet all your demands,
But we'll shout from the bow your days are numbered.
And like Pharaoh's tribe,
They'll be drownded in the tide,
And like Goliath, they'll be conquered.
(Extract from "When the Ship Comes In" by Bob Dylan)



Découvrez Bob Dylan!

10 comments:

tut-tut said...

Here, here!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Hooray!

Unknown said...

I guess it is finally time to pop open the bubbly!

P. J. Grath said...

I'm always surprised to find out how few people know this rousing Dylan song, which I would love to have performed at my funeral, except that my husband says no one will know the words to sing it. Thanks for helping with that project. And bubbly? My, yes! But first, tune in at noon today for a broadcast of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s entire "I Have a Dream" speech. It should help us all leave rage behind and move forward with gratitude.

Jennifer said...

Yes, one more day!
I've been getting all teary again just thinking about tomorrow and the importance of the day.
I am so grateful and hopeful. It is a nice feeling.

Anonymous said...

I like your countdown clock--it seems to be on French time and thus getting rid of the cretins and criminals that much sooner.
Yes--hooray, cheers, tears and lots of prayers and hard work coming up. It's going to be a long road back to respectability in the world.

Betty Carlson said...

Yes, Emm, I noticed my countdown clock was a little off. Or did it countdown until Bush physically left the White House?

deedee said...

Cheers Betty!! I loved watching the change taking place yesterday and the hope this gives me for the future.

Anonymous said...

Bye-bye George Wobble-you Bloody Bush. And welcome to the gorgeous golden Obama. He's already made a good start with the disgraceful Guantanamo Bay.

paris parfait said...

It's a wonderful moment in our country's history - so thrilling to once again have hope and a sense of possibility. But of course, much hard work lies ahead, for all of us. As for the previous administration, I hope they are investigated and taken to task for their crimes.