Some songs touch you when you first hear them and never lose their hold. They resurface at unexpected moments in your life and speak to you in a whole new way.
I first heard Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” when I was much younger. It was a recording by Joan Baez, and I thought the melody was so pretty, the words so powerful. I recently ran across a version by the Canadian Tenors and found it just as arresting as the very first time I heard it.
As I get older, this song—originally written by Dylan for his young son—takes on all kinds of layers for me. I picture myself saying the words to all my old friends from childhood, high school, and college. Back then, some of us had conflicts and conflagrations that we were sure we’d never get over. But now? It’s hard to remember what any of that was about. We’re just happy to see each other.
There’s a passage in Hebrews that describes earthly things as a shadow of heavenly things. What we think we see so clearly now is really just a shadow of heaven’s ultimate truth and love and beauty. Once we’re there, we’ll be able to see that all of our conflicts and conflagrations down here were so much smoke and mirrors.
Communion. That’s what I think is beyond the shadows. That’s what it means to be “Forever Young” :
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay
May you stay forever young
CHORUS
Forever young
Forever young
May you stay forever young.
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay
May you stay forever young
—Bob Dylan
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