“Una hora non potuisti vigilare/Something’s Burning, Baby”, introduction

“Una hora non potuisti vigilare” is the eighth of nine responsories and depicts a Jesus full of frustration. As the narrative continues, Jesus shows that he knows he’s been betrayed and, at the same time, the disciples who he’s asked to sit up and wait with him have fallen asleep. Indeed, the life Jesus has created appears to be falling all around him and his friends are proving unable to resist temptation.

In the Dylan text, “Something’s Burning, Baby”, the message follows along the same themes of feeling betrayal and abandonment. Although Dylan’s characters seems between friends or lovers, the raw emotion is no different. Here, then, we are reminded of the way Dylan and the responsories help to illuminate the other.

Una hora non potuisti vigilare

Could you not watch one hour with me,
you that were eager to die for me?
Or don’t you see Judas, how he doesn’t sleep,
but hurries to deliver me up?

Why do you sleep?
Arise and pray, lest you fall into temptation.
Or don’t you see Judas, how he doesn’t sleep,
but hurries to deliver me up?

cf. Matthew 26:40, 41

Something’s Burning, Baby

The cover from Bob Dylan's album "Empire Burlesque" from 1985.

Something is burning, baby, are you aware?
Something is the matter, baby, there’s smoke in your hair
Are you still my friend, baby, show me a sign
Is the love in your heart for me turning blind?

You’ve been avoiding the main streets for a long, long while
The truth that I’m seeking is in your missing file
What’s your position, baby, what’s going on?
Why is the light in your eyes nearly gone?

I know everything about this place, or so it seems
Am I no longer a part of your plans or your dreams?
Well, it is so obvious that something has changed
What’s happening, baby, to make you act so strange?

Something is burning, baby, here’s what I say
Even the bloodhounds of London couldn’t find you today
I see the shadow of a man, baby, makin’ you blue
Who is he, baby, and what’s he to you?

We’ve reached the edge of the road, baby, where the pasture begins
Where charity is supposed to cover up a multitude of sins
But where do you live, baby, and where is the light?
Why are your eyes just staring off in the night?

I can feel it in the night when I think of you
I can feel it in the light and it’s got to be true
You can’t live by bread alone, you won’t be satisfied
You can’t roll away the stone if your hands are tied

Got to start someplace, baby, can you explain?
Please don’t fade away on me, baby, like the midnight train
Answer me, baby, a casual look will do
Just what in the world has come over you?

I can feel it in the wind and it’s upside down
I can feel it in the dust as I get off the bus on the outskirts of town
I’ve had the Mexico City blues since the last hairpin curve
I don’t wanna see you bleed, I know what you need but it ain’t what you deserve

Something is burning, baby, something’s in flames
There’s a man going ’round calling names
Ring down when you’re ready, baby, I’m waiting for you
I believe in the impossible, you know that I do

Copyright © 1985 by Special Rider Music