Listen:What Good Am I?
On first listening
to Dylan’s Oh Mercy, this song was one of my least favorites. It seemed to be what I considered at
the time to be a self-pitying sentimental religious song.
Now it seems to me that there a possible deeper emotional impact to
this song. It brings me in front of really wondering if "I" (whatever
that is) am in any way really good? What is Good? Who or what am I?
For some reason it also brings up the idea and experience of "original sin." A friend has several times reported working with kids and
being appalled that, coming from a religious background, many of them consider
themselves fundamentally “bad.” Presumably from the teaching of “original sin.”
My friend, being a good “new-ager”, feels this is criminal. It probably is. But is there something to the notion that my behavior is somehow negatively programmed?
What good am I? I see that I don’t do that which I wish.
Something isn’t right, but the doctrine of original sin seems somewhat crazy.
Is there another point of view that could shed light on this important
question? What about Gurdjieff’s teaching that long ago certain “sacred
individuals” made mistakes that led humanity to have “unbecoming” predispositions? Seems somewhat crazy. Is it?
Here are the lyrics:
What Good Am I? Bob Dylan
What
good am I if I’m like all the rest,
If
I just turn away, when I see how you’re dressed,
If
I shut myself off so I can’t hear you cry,
What
good am I?
What
good am I if I know and don’t do,
If
I see and don’t say, if I look right through you,
If
I turn a deaf ear to the thunderin’ sky,
What
good am I?
What
good am I while you softly weep
And
I hear in my head what you say in your sleep,
And
I freeze in the moment like the rest who don’t try,
What
good am I?
What
good am I then to others and me
If
I’ve had every chance and yet still fail to see
If
my hands are tied must I not wonder within
Who
tied them and why and where must I have been?
What
good am I if I say foolish things
And
I laugh in the face of what sorrow brings
And
I just turn my back while you silently die,
What
good am I?
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