Song for Day 46 - "I Believe in You" by Bob Dylan, sung by Alison Krauss

Fiddler and Singer Alison Krauss.

Day 46 - "I Believe in You" by Bob Dylan, sung by Alison Krauss

     I have to confess that Alison Krauss chanting the phone book would sound good to me.  Hell, I'd rather listen to Alison Kraus gargling than Ted Nugent "singing".  Even with that, her cover of Bob Dylan's "I Believe in You" is downright transcendental.  Not for naught has she been awarded more Grammies than any other singer.  There are far worse ways to spend an afternoon than browsing her performances on YouTube.

     The song was written during Dylan's brief conversion, as experienced in his "Slow Train Coming"  (1979, also featuring "Gotta Serve Somebody")  and "Saved" (1980) albums.

   All of us know how difficult it can be to talk with deeply religious folks, especially about political matters.  Why not get professionals to negotiate this minefield?

Songwriter Bob Dylan.

     Even within red states, we have done well with other religions and with congregations of color.  In 2016 Catholic Republican voters outnumbered Democratic ones 52-45 but in the five elections before that Catholics  have been supportive, thanks in part due to VP Joe Biden and the new Pope, Francis.  The problem has come in WASP communities.  If we are going to make a 50-state strategy work we'll need to go "into the dragon's den", supporting liberal clergy both financially and in building public profiles.  This provides the biggest bang for the buck, if only because, by definition, these advocates/candidates already know how to speak and deal with the public.

     In addition to the original studio version, there are a number of fine performances of "I Believe in You" online, including Bob Dylan's live, 1980 performance and, of course, Sinéad O'Connor's unique rendition.  It always comes back to Alison's, though:

Lyrics:

They ask me how I feel
And if my love is real
And how I know I'll make it through
And they, they look at me and frown
They'd like to drive me from this town
They don't want me around
'Cause I believe in you

They show me to the door
They say don't come back no more
'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to
And I, I walk out on my own
A thousand miles from home
But I don't feel alone
'Cause I believe in you

I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter
I believe in you even though we be apart
I believe in you even on the morning after
Oh, when the dawn is nearing
Oh, when the night is disappearing
Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart

Don't let me drift too far
Keep me where you are
Where I will always be renewed
And that which you've given me today
Is worth more than I could pay
And no matter what they say
I believe in you

I believe in you when wintertime turns to summer
I believe in you when white turn to black
I believe in you even though I be outnumbered
Oh, though the earth may shake me
Oh, though my friends forsake me
Oh, even that couldn't make me go back

Don't let me change my heart
Keep me set apart
From all the plans they do pursue
And I, I don't mind the pain
Don't mind the driving rain
I know I will sustain
'Cause I believe in you