It’s bright in the heavens and the wheels are flying Fame and honor never seem to fade The

It’s bright in the heavens and the wheels are flying
Fame and honor never seem to fade
The fire’s gone out but the light is never dying
Who says I can’t get heavenly aid?

Ain’t talkin’, just walkin’
Carrying a dead man’s shield
Heart burnin’, still yearnin’
Walkin’ with a toothache in my heel

– Bob Dylan, “Ain’t Talkin’”

Bob Dylan’s epic, apocalyptic ballad “Ain’t Talkin’” is a brilliant look at the history of salvation from the Garden of Eden to the garden tomb.  Dylan blends American folk idiom with Biblical narrative.  The above verses capture the despair of Jesus’ followers after Good Friday.  Dylan also masterfully uses absurd doggerel from the folk tune “Old Dan Tucker” (”died with a toothache in his heel”) to express God’s promise to Eve in Genesis 3:15 (Satan would strike Christ’s heel, but He would crush Satan’s head).

Take a listen to the song–and don’t stop until you get to the last verse!