I think that's what these songs are meant to do - to make us reflect on our own actions, beliefs, and values. The power of songs!
In the song at 1:02, Dylan sings, "but I disremember what". He has created a word using "remember" and the negative prefix, "dis", to make a word that means "don't remember". This version of the video and lyrics has corrected the original lyrics Bob Dylan sings on the recording. Personally, I like "disremember" rather than can't remember. "Disremember" give the connotation of making a mistake in what you remember, not simply the fact that you CANNOT remember.
Disremember? No wonder I didn't get it. Thank you you for clarification.
What do I think about his use of "disremember" instead of "cant't remember"? Maybe I'm saying the same thing, but when I read that part (”They said they had a reason, but I can't remember what"), I felt puzzled about "I can't remember what" because it's not that he has forgotten the reason, far from it, and he goes on to explain the reason in an unambiguous way (The reason that they killed him there, and I'm sure it ain't no lie, was ....). Having learnd the word "disrembem," it now seems to me that by using DISremember, Dylan was sending a message that he resists remembering/recalling/repeating the reason (as remembering/recalling it makes him sick) or "how could I possiblly forget the reason that was so stupid?!
Ah, I see. What you've written makes sense - "how could I possibly forget?" AND it (the men's actions) made him sick. Maybe he was using the word in a sarcastic way?
Amazing that I stumbled across your page, Louise. For three years now, I have been teaching a course using music to study various issues: social, political, historical. Coincidentally, tomorrow I will be covering Emmett Till (using Bob Dylan’s song), and also lynchings in the USA , (using “Strange Fruit”. What a wonderful thing to come across this! I never knew you were into music and social issues, and we have been friends for so many years! Brilliant!
Oh, Prisca❣️ Like ships passing in the night. I would LOVE to talk with you about songs and social issues. I’ve been teaching it for about 6 years now, and it’s the focus of my current research. You probably know about these, but if you have time, have a read:
Dear Louise,
Thank you for another episode of Social Issues in Song.
I found this song (Bob Dylan: the death of Emmett Till) strait and self-explanatory.
Social Issues in Song. That’s it.
It is not a song I want to sing, but a song I should have listened to. I’m glad I did that now. Thank you for letting me do that.
If you can’t speak out against this kind of thing, a crime that’s so unjust
Your eyes are filed with dead men’s dirt and your mind is filled with dust.
This song makes me ask myself “How are my eyes and mind doing? Are they clear and clean?”
How could he end this song with words of hope! That amazed me.
Thank you.
Mitsuru
p.s.
There seems to be a spot where I felt I didn’t hear what the video says:
1:02 “They said they had a reason, but I can’t remember what.”
What does he actually say in the video? (Does he say “I can’t”?)
Thank you for your comments, Mitsuru.
I think that's what these songs are meant to do - to make us reflect on our own actions, beliefs, and values. The power of songs!
In the song at 1:02, Dylan sings, "but I disremember what". He has created a word using "remember" and the negative prefix, "dis", to make a word that means "don't remember". This version of the video and lyrics has corrected the original lyrics Bob Dylan sings on the recording. Personally, I like "disremember" rather than can't remember. "Disremember" give the connotation of making a mistake in what you remember, not simply the fact that you CANNOT remember.
What do YOU think?
Dear Louise,
Disremember? No wonder I didn't get it. Thank you you for clarification.
What do I think about his use of "disremember" instead of "cant't remember"? Maybe I'm saying the same thing, but when I read that part (”They said they had a reason, but I can't remember what"), I felt puzzled about "I can't remember what" because it's not that he has forgotten the reason, far from it, and he goes on to explain the reason in an unambiguous way (The reason that they killed him there, and I'm sure it ain't no lie, was ....). Having learnd the word "disrembem," it now seems to me that by using DISremember, Dylan was sending a message that he resists remembering/recalling/repeating the reason (as remembering/recalling it makes him sick) or "how could I possiblly forget the reason that was so stupid?!
Mitsuru
Ah, I see. What you've written makes sense - "how could I possibly forget?" AND it (the men's actions) made him sick. Maybe he was using the word in a sarcastic way?
Amazing that I stumbled across your page, Louise. For three years now, I have been teaching a course using music to study various issues: social, political, historical. Coincidentally, tomorrow I will be covering Emmett Till (using Bob Dylan’s song), and also lynchings in the USA , (using “Strange Fruit”. What a wonderful thing to come across this! I never knew you were into music and social issues, and we have been friends for so many years! Brilliant!
Oh, Prisca❣️ Like ships passing in the night. I would LOVE to talk with you about songs and social issues. I’ve been teaching it for about 6 years now, and it’s the focus of my current research. You probably know about these, but if you have time, have a read:
https://open.substack.com/pub/louisehaynes/p/children-we-all-shall-be-free?r=1vnnys&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thank you for the link, dear Louise😍! I can’t believe the wonderful coincidence and am so excited to share your material with my students!
お願いします❣️
The confederate flag in the Capital on January 6th is just a reminder that this irrational hate is still alive and well.