bob dylan “went to see the gypsy,”
Another self-Portrait 1969-71, The Bootleg series, Vol. 10
As the month of Mr. Zimmerman’s 82nd birthday draws to a close, a haunting, low heeled lonely, electric piano version, reduced in mood and tempo from that which appeared upon New Morning in 1970. Perhaps not renowned for his work on the instrument, it seems to me he employs it in an ambling, quiet way, unveiling the soul of the mysterious guru.
“Went to see the gypsy
Stayin’ in a big hotel
He smiled when he saw me coming
And he said, “Well, well, well”
His room was dark and crowded
Lights were low and dim
”How are you?” he said to me
I said it back to him
I went down to the lobby
To make a small call out
A pretty dancing girl was there
And she began to shout
”Go on back to see the gypsy
He can move you from the rear
Drive you from your fear
Bring you through the mirror
He did it in Las Vegas
And he can do it here”
Outside the lights were shining
On the river of tears
I watched them from the distance
With music in my ears
I went back to see the gypsy
It was nearly early dawn
The gypsy’s door was open wide
But the gypsy was gone
And that pretty dancing girl
She could not be found
So I watched that sun come rising
From that little Minnesota town
”