BOB DYLAN : REFLECTIONS ON HIS GOSPEL SONGS : NO. 8 . 'EVERY GRAIN OF SAND' By Andrew Kenny

In this reflection, I will look at one of Bob Dylan’s most beautiful and also one of his most popular songs ‘Every grain of sand’. In 1992 Bob said regarding it. ‘Every grain of sand was an excellent song. A very painless song to write. It took like twelve seconds or that’s how it felt.’ To me, it sounds like the song was inspired. The song has deep and reflective lyrics about man and his life and relationship with the Divine. It also has a beautiful melody that works well with or without the harmonica, though I prefer it with the harmonica. Paul Nelson of Rolling Stone wrote it was "the 'Chimes of Freedom' and 'Mr. Tambourine Man' of Bob Dylan's Christian period...it has surety and strength all down the line. Also vulnerability...Dylan's beautifully idiosyncratic harmonica playing has metamorphosed into an archetype that pierces the heart and moistens the eye. And, for once, the lyrics don't let you down. The artist's Christianity is both palpable and comprehensible...For a moment or two, he touches you, and the gates of heaven dissolve into a universality that has nothing to do with most of the LP." Paul Williams in his book Bob Dylan, performing artist:The Middle Years said, "The love in "Every Grain of Sand," though firmly rooted in Dylan's conversion experience and his Bible studies, immediately and obviously reaches beyond its context to communicate a deeply felt devotional spirit based on universal experiences: pain of self-awareness, and sense of wonder or awe at the beauty of the natural world.