the north country.

i was thinking, not a week ago, that i couldn’t remember the last time i was really moved by music. i was getting fairly seriously depressed about it…wondering if i’d just lost the ability to make a true emotional connection with a lyric…or a melody…a chord sequence. it was very troubling.

which is why i was surprised by my reaction to "girl from the north country" by bob dylan when i put it on in my car last night. i got a tight feeling in my stomach. felt my eyes become heavy with the feeling of tears that i fought to keep inside (lest i embarrass myself in front of tim). felt a wave of fond nostalgia wash over my body and tug at my heart strings. the lyrics and melody of the song were communicating with me in a way that i’ve not had happen in many years.

Well, if you’re travelin’ in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.

Well, if you go when the snowflakes storm,
When the rivers freeze and summer ends,
Please see she has a coat so warm,
To keep her from the howlin’ winds.

Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
If it rolls and flows all down her breast.
Please see for me if her hair hangs long,
That’s the way I remember her best.

I’m a-wonderin’ if she remembers me at all.
Many times I’ve often prayed
In the darkness of my night,
In the brightness of my day.

So if you’re travelin’ in the north country fair,
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline,
Remember me to one who lives there.
She once was a true love of mine.

it was refreshing and inspiring to realize that i’m still a human being, and can be knocked over by completely spontaneous fits of emotion, after feeling semi-numb for years and years. i was sure that i could only be saved by love re-entering my life. only by connecting with someone that really understood me…and that i felt i really understood.
but it was listening to a bob dylan song in my car.
makes me think about what else i’ve been looking for in the wrong places.

-jav