Sara

You have probably never heard this song and its a real shame. This song doesn't require any explanation of the lyrics (quite shocking for Mr. Dylan) but it does require some back story to be truly powerful.

This song is entitled Sara and is at the very tail end of the album Desire (1975), an album that is known for its story telling songs. This song is an exception in style and mood. It comes near the very end of one of the hardest parts of Bob Dylan's life: his divorce with his wife Sara.

Bob and Sara had been married for 12 years and had four children together. Bob has stated that Sara was the only woman he truly loved. "Sara" is the only song that is specifically about a portion of Bob's life and about a specific person. All other songs are written rather figuratively and they can never be truly pinned down to a specific person, "Sara" can. Bob wrote this song for his soon to be ex-wife as a final plea. A final plea for her not to leave him. Bob had never played this song with his band before and for some reason Sara walked into the studio just as Bob and the band were recording it. Bob looked up through the glass and saw Sara; he sang this song directly to his almost ex-wife. You can hear the pain in his voice as he is pleading to the love of his wife to never leave him. The pure earnestness in his voice is heart-wrenching, but it was no use. She still divorced him.

Think about that as you listen to this song. Imagine him looking up and suddenly seeing her. See him look up from being bent over his guitar and lock eyes with the woman who was the mother of his children and the woman that made him so happy. Feel all the emotions flash through his head and him opening up his heart to her to make his last plea. See him sing this to her with tears and pain, pouring all of himself into it to get to her heart and change her mind. A man singing a doomed song, as his world falls apart.

With no further adieu, "Sara:"

http://www.mojvideo.com/video-bob-dylan-sara/9ada7ef3f5f2793aa60c

I laid on a dune, I looked at the sky
When the children were babies and played on the beach
You came up behind me, I saw you go by
You were always so close and still within reach

Sara, Sara

Whatever made you want to change your mind?
Sara, Sara
So easy to look at, so hard to define

I can still see them playin’ with their pails in the sand
They run to the water their buckets to fill
I can still see the shells fallin’ out of their hands
As they follow each other back up the hill

Sara, Sara
Sweet virgin angel, sweet love of my life
Sara, Sara
Radiant jewel, mystical wife

Sleepin’ in the woods by a fire in the night
Drinkin’ white rum in a Portugal bar
Them playin’ leapfrog and hearin’ about Snow White
You in the marketplace in Savanna-la-Mar

Sara, Sara
It’s all so clear, I could never forget
Sara, Sara
Lovin’ you is the one thing I’ll never regret

I can still hear the sounds of those Methodist bells
I’d taken the cure and had just gotten through
Stayin’ up for days in the Chelsea Hotel
Writin’ “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” for you

Sara, Sara
Wherever we travel we’re never apart
Sara, oh Sara
Beautiful lady, so dear to my heart

How did I meet you? I don’t know
A messenger sent me in a tropical storm
You were there in the winter, moonlight on the snow
And on Lily Pond Lane when the weather was warm

Sara, oh Sara
Scorpio Sphinx in a calico dress
Sara, Sara
You must forgive me my unworthiness

Now the beach is deserted except for some kelp
And a piece of an old ship that lies on the shore
You always responded when I needed your help
You gimme a map and a key to your door

Sara, oh Sara
Glamorous nymph with an arrow and bow
Sara, oh Sara
Don’t ever leave me, don’t ever go