Gospel Plow

One of the best on his first album. He puts so much energy in this song it always brings a smile to my face.

The song is a metaphor. Dylan is telling the listener to spread the word of God and pass it on. Like plowing a field and planting a crop that will eventually grow to harvest.

I don't think so. It occurs to me that it's about the disparity and suffering found in life. Imagine an old farmer, working his fingers to the bone each day just to get by. The promise of salvation is what keeps him going.

this song is taken from what jesus said about how to follow him. Jesus said, if you put your hand to the plow and look back then your not fit for the work of the lord.

I see this song as being anti-christian. Bob Grew up in a small town in the midwest and he was one of the few jewish people in town. This made him different from them and made it so he examined their religion more. "Mary wore three links of chain, every link was jesus name. Keep your hand on that plow hold on", sounds like slavery to me, reminds me especially of the bible's treatment of women as property. Then later is the promise of gold lined streets in heaven, but he's never been there and says to hold on to the plow right afterword. Meaning don't think get back to your slave labor for this religion and it's false promises, hold on to the gospel plow.