Slow Train Coming

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I received a Barnes & Noble Gift card for Christmas and I spent some time browsing through the books this morning, but as I walked by the music section something caught my eye. Right there, in front was a single copy of Bob Dylan's 1979 release Slow Train Coming.

When I was 15 years old I wore out that album, listening to it every day. A few years after that I got a cassette copy of it, and pretty much listened until that tape was useless. This morning, I finally got the CD.

I hadn't heard it in awhile, but quickly picked out my two favorite songs - Precious Angel and I Believe in You.

For the uninitiated, this was Dylan's Christian album. Yet it was still Dylan, the nasally whine and all. As a kid, I knew what he was singing of, but I didn't grasp it all. The nuns had made sure I understood some of it, but it was going to be different listening to it as an adult, wasn't it?

Precious angel, how was I to know you'd be the one - To show me I was blinded, to show me I was gone. How weak was the foundation, I was standing upon? You either got faith or you got unbelief and there ain't no neutral ground.

My attention was grabbed. Dylan sang on:

Shine your light, shine your light on me, shine your light...I just can't make it by myself, I'm a little too blind to see.

(By the way, I love singing like Dylan - ask me to do it sometime - it's easy).

Yet the real winner on the album, and the one lyric that will stick in my head until I get through the down times.

And I, I don't mind the pain, don't mind the driving rain, I know I will sustain, because I believe in you.

There's a slow train coming. All aboard.

Thirty years later, it's still brilliant.

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CorLeone said…
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18 January, 2010
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