The fifth movement, “Judas mercator pessimus” is paired with Bob Dylan’s “The Wicked Messenger”. Like the others responsories in this nocturn at the center of the work, “Judas mercator pessimus” makes much of the text: “It had been better for that man if he had never been born.” It also has a raucous, Handel-like section setting “He, like an innocent lamb, refused not the kiss of Judas.” This section is set to sound like a Baroque turba chorus responding eagerly to the events of Christ’s sentencing.
Dylan’s “The Wicked Messenger”, from the 1967 album John Wesley Harding, tells of a character most likely inspired by the Bible. Mike Marqusee, the author of Wicked Messenger: Bob Dylan and the 1960s, suggests that it’s from Proverbs 13:17 and that “The wicked messenger is the artist, the prophet, the protest singer.”
Check back with NB tomorrow to hear Paul talk about this responsory.
Judas mercator pessimus
Judas, wicked trader, betrayed the Lord with a kiss.
He, like an innocent lamb, refused not the kiss of Judas.
For a few coins he delivered Christ up to his death.It had been better for that man if he had never been born.
For a few coins he delivered Christ up to his death.(Anonymous)
The Wicked Messenger
The cover for Dylan's album "John Wesley Harding" from 1967
There was a wicked messenger
From Eli he did come,
With a mind that multiplied the smallest matter.
When questioned who had sent for him,
He answered with his thumb,
For his tongue it could not speak, but only flatter.He stayed behind the assembly hall,
It was there he made his bed,
Oftentimes he could be seen returning.
Until one day he just appeared
With a note in his hand which read,
“The soles of my feet, I swear they’re burning.”Oh, the leaves began to fallin’
And the seas began to part,
And the people that confronted him were many.
And he was told but these few words,
Which opened up his heart,
“If ye cannot bring good news, then don’t bring any.”Copyright © 1968 by Dwarf Music; renewed 1996 by Dwarf Music
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