Paul Crabtree’s Tenebræ Responsories on Songs by Bob Dylan ends softly with “Seniores populi/Changing of the Guards”, the ninth of nine responsories for Maundy Thursday. The responsory is taken from Matthew:
When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”
Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”…
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
The cryptic lyrics of Dylan that are paired, have certain moments of parallel and others the are difficult to interpret. More clearly related, however, is Dylan’s constant use of three back-up singers—like Crabtree’s use of the male voices—and the frequent resolution to minor chords which leave a certain darkness in the music.
Check NB tomorrow when Paul discusses this movement in detail and explains how he chooses to end his own series of responsories.
Seniores populi
The elders of the people consulted together
how they might take Jesus by subtlety and put him to death.
They went out with swords and clubs as to a thief.The chiefs priests and the Pharisees held a council
how they might take Jesus by subtlety and put him to death.
They went out with swords and clubs as to a thief.The elders of the people consulted together
how they might take Jesus by subtlety and put him to death.
They went out with swords and clubs as to a thief.Matthew 26:3, 4, 47
Changing of the Guards
The cover from Bob Dylan's album "Street legal" from 1978.
Sixteen years,
Sixteen banners united over the field
Where the good shepherd grieves.
Desperate men, desperate women divided,
Spreading their wings ’neath the falling leaves.Fortune calls.
I stepped forth from the shadows, to the marketplace,
Merchants and thieves, hungry for power, my last deal gone down.
She’s smelling sweet like the meadows where she was born,
On midsummer’s eve, near the tower.The cold-blooded moon.
The captain waits above the celebration
Sending his thoughts to a beloved maid
Whose ebony face is beyond communication.
The captain is down but still believing that his love will be repaid.They shaved her head.
She was torn between Jupiter and Apollo.
A messenger arrived with a black nightingale.
I seen her on the stairs and I couldn’t help but follow,
Follow her down past the fountain where they lifted her veil.I stumbled to my feet.
I rode past destruction in the ditches
With the stitches still mending ’neath a heart-shaped tattoo.
Renegade priests and treacherous young witches
Were handing out the flowers that I’d given to you.The palace of mirrors
Where dog soldiers are reflected,
The endless road and the wailing of chimes,
The empty rooms where her memory is protected,
Where the angels’ voices whisper to the souls of previous times.She wakes him up
Forty-eight hours later, the sun is breaking
Near broken chains, mountain laurel and rolling rocks.
She’s begging to know what measures he now will be taking.
He’s pulling her down and she’s clutching on to his long golden locks.Gentlemen, he said,
I don’t need your organization, I’ve shined your shoes,
I’ve moved your mountains and marked your cards
But Eden is burning, either brace yourself for elimination
Or else your hearts must have the courage for the changing of the guards.Peace will come
With tranquillity and splendor on the wheels of fire
But will bring us no reward when her false idols fall
And cruel death surrenders with its pale ghost retreating
Between the King and the Queen of Swords.Copyright © 1978 by Special Rider Music
Post a comment