The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #24108   Message #3099331
Posted By: Richard Mellish
20-Feb-11 - 05:20 PM
Thread Name: Who gets credit for writing a song
Subject: RE: Who gets credit for writing a song
Following the thread drift here.

Of course Dylan's words in With God On Our Side are also a response to Behan's, partly echoing the same structure:
My name is O'Hanlon, and I'm just gone sixteen
My name it is nothing, my age it means less.
etc

Both notional protagonists have been indoctrinated with the myths* of their respective countries. O'Hanlon has accepted it and dies for his beliefs. Dylan's nameless hero questions the myth.

*In using this word I pass no judgement whatsoever as to the degree of truth or falsehood in these myths.

Richard