Song for Day 32 of a 4 Year Funeral - Señor by Bob Dylan, sung by Diva de Lai

Day 32 - Señor (Tales of Yankee Power) by Bob Dylan, sung by Diva de Lai

Songwriter and Nobel Prize Winner Bob Dylan.

       "Son, this ain't a dream no more, it's the real thing." - Bob Dylan (1978)

     You had to know this song was coming.  Some interpret the song as being religious, arguing that "Señor" refers to their Lord (as it often does), but this song was written well before Dylan's [temporary] conversion, as evidenced on the underrated "Slow Train Coming" and "Saved" albums.  "Señor" is a tale of relentless pursuit and fatalism, more like the theme song to "Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid"  than, ironically, "Knocking on Heaven's Door" from that same movie.

Karin Shifrin, Yuval Nachtom, Yossi Fine, Eyal Sucher.

     Other interesting covers abound, including lovely ones by Kappa Danielson, Jackie Greene, Jeffrey Foucault, and the Parkin' Meters Band, but none captures the isolation, persecution and desperation as well as Bob Dylan's versions of this classic, written for his 1978 "Street Legal" album.

     Diva de Lai's, featuring Israeli mezzo-soprano Karin Shifrin, along with Yuval Nachtom (drums), Eyal Sucher (guitar & keyboard), and Yossi Fine (bass), might be the most beautiful, though, and no one should die without hearing it.  This cover is from the group's debut album, "Dylan at the Opera" (in case you needed ideas for that Dylan fan on your gift list).

     This song weaves Dylan's musical simplicity and melodic complexity into a paradox:  it is difficult to mess up but almost impossible to sing.  

Lyrics:

Singer Karin Shifrin of Diva de Lai.

Señor, señor
Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon?
Seems like I been down this way before
Is there any truth in that, señor?

Señor, señor
Do you know where she is hidin'?
How long are we gonna be ridin'?
How long must I keep my eyes glued to the door?
Will there be any comfort there, señor?

There's a wicked wind still blowin' on that upper deck
There's an iron cross still hanging down from around her neck
There's a marchin' band still playin' in that vacant lot
Where she held me in her arms one time and said, "Forget me not"

Señor, señor
I can see that painted wagon
Smell the tail of the dragon
Can't stand the suspense anymore
Can you tell me who to contact here, señor?

Well, the last thing I remember before I stripped and kneeled
Was that trainload of fools bogged down in a magnetic field
A gypsy with a broken flag and a flashing ring
He said, "Son, this ain't a dream no more, it's the real thing."
 

Earl Gray's 193rd Law.

Señor, señor
You know their hearts is as hard as leather
Well, give me a minute, let me get it together
Just gotta pick myself up off the floor
I'm ready when you are, señor

Señor, señor
Let's overturn these tables
Disconnect these cables
This place don't make sense to me no more
Can you tell me what we're waiting for, señor?