Well there is plenty of thoughts here and rather than argue the merits, I'd suggest one more.

With most songs, the matter of interpretation is always an interesting topic. Whether it be "making a song your own" or trying to say what the writer meant or whatever. Dylan is different in this respect than most others. What I mean is, that with most songs, the lyric is pretty straightforward and while there might be wiggle room here and there, its pretty much what it is, whatever that is.

I think Dylan has more songs open to huge amounts of interpretation than anyone I can think of. Many songs may have originally been done in one way, but others and often Dylan himself have done them in completely different ways to the point of actually changing the "meaning" or original intent of the song....using the same lyrics!

We have had discussions about several of them here, such as "Don't Think Twice." Depending on how YOU do it, its a piece of sarcasm, an angry song about being hurt, or a lament for love lost. Clapton did it as a blues and the effect was totally different again. "Blowin'" generally is a bit on the sappy side generally, sometimes a pleading bit of protest, but I was taken completely with one of Dylan's own renditions where it was an angry, almost mean, protest of hopelessness.

Perhaps this is because he is poet first, I don't know. It is equally true that few other artists re-iterpret their own material as much and as often as Dylan. It at least shows a continued growth of the man if nothing else.

Just another thought............Thought I'd throw it in....throw it out if you like.

Spaw