Liberation from the Captivity of the Mind

Today I was listening to the music of The Byrds, the '60/'70s psychadelic rock group who famously covered Bob Dylan's 'Hey Mr. Tambourine Man' and the song mentioned in this post.

Allowing the music to be steadily piped into my small room in 21st Cent. England, I became distracted by some potent lyrics.

I am not generally a lyrics person, favouring good music over words in nearly every case. Here is an example of where both aspects may be found in equally excellent measure.

Crimson flames tied through my ears

Rollin’ high and mighty traps

Pounced with fire on flaming roads

Using ideas as my maps

“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I

Proud ’neath heated brow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth

“Rip down all hate,” I screamed

Lies that life is black and white

Spoke from my skull. I dreamed

Romantic facts of musketeers

Foundationed deep, somehow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

Girls’ faces formed the forward path

From phony jealousy

To memorizing politics

Of ancient history

Flung down by corpse evangelists

Unthought of, though, somehow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

A self-ordained professor’s tongue

Too serious to fool

Spouted out that liberty

Is just equality in school

“Equality,” I spoke the word

As if a wedding vow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand

At the mongrel dogs who teach

Fearing not that I’d become my enemy

In the instant that I preach

My pathway led by confusion boats

Mutiny from stern to bow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

Too noble to neglect

Deceived me into thinking

I had something to protect

Good and bad, I define these terms

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now
Copyright © 1964 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1992 by Special Rider Music

Read more: http://www.bobdylan.com/us/songs/my-back-pages#ixzz2rHJd9pSG

It is a happy day when the Christian realises that they are able to think for themselves and so casting aside the guidebook named 'catechist', begin to live in the world for which they are created. In so doing they recognise their life in relation to the lives of each other, and ultimately the continuous presence of their Creator in each person they meet.