nothing new under the sun

Anniemay bought me a book for Christmas - a series of essays on the philosophy of modern songs.  It’s written by Bob Dylan.   I confess to having mixed feelings about this particular Nobel Laureate.  Loved him in the 60s and 70s.  I stopped listening after Slow Train Coming (1979).  So I didn’t really know what to expect from this book.  But - it’s been an eye opener.  

It’s full of songs - and singers - that I’d never heard of.  I find myself constantly heading to youtube to find out what the fuss is all about.  And judging by the comments on youtube, I’m not the only one who’s landed there, courtesy of this book.  

I find it hard to believe that this particular song - “old and only in the way” - recorded almost 100 years ago resonates with attitudes to older people today.  It's the 'and only in the way' that's the killer line for me.  I thought we lost respect for the older generation in the 1960s.  Clearly not.

Now let us cheer them on, 
for they won't be with us long
don't sneer at them because they're old and grey
just remember while you're young 
that for you the day may come
when you'll be old and grey 
and only in the way

Charlie Poole and Norman Woodlief