Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism

Subject: Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 12 Oct 00 - 10:44 AM

I have noticed that Bob often refers to playing cards in his songs, The Jack of Hearts, The Queen of Spades and some others. I was looking at the cover of desire the other day and noticed what appeared to be a Tarot card on it. I know very little about cards and was wondering if anyone knew what he is symbolizing.

Subject: RE: Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism
From: Peter T.
Date: 12 Oct 00 - 10:53 AM

"Oh, I know it had to be, it was written in the cards,
But the bitter taste still lingers on, it all came down so hard."

- ("If You See Her, Say Hello")
classic Dylan warping of two cliches -- "It is written", and "It was in the cards". He does this all the time. "It was written in the cards" evokes who knows what, but certainly Tarot.

Nothing to do with your question, Steve, just riffing.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism
From: LR Mole
Date: 12 Oct 00 - 01:27 PM

There must be some kind of way out of here/Said the joker to the thief...which as Paul Williams observed is a circular song: the two riders ARE the Joker and the Thief.

Subject: RE: Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism
From: khandu
Date: 12 Oct 00 - 07:47 PM

In order to deal in this game, got to make a Queen disappear, It's done with a flick of the wrist!

khandu

Subject: RE: Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Oct 00 - 01:02 AM

There's no way you can write a whole lot of good songs without eventually using cards in some symbolic way somewhere. It would be pretty surprising if Dylan had not done so by this time.

The Tarot deck contains symbolic codes for pretty well everything that can happen in life. The regular card deck does so too, but to a lesser extent. Card games involve a combination of conscious strategy, luck, subconscious awareness, possibly ESP, and what might be termed destiny...so cards will always be a handy metaphor for life itself.

"Gentlemen, he said, we don't need your organization, we've shined your shoes, moved your mountains, and marked your cards, but Eden is burning! Either get ready for elimination or else your hearts must have the courage of the Changing of the Guards" - Dylan

Now that's a symbolic statement from common people everywhere to the corrupt power brokers who have dominated and exploited our world through the use of guns and money. The Eden of nature is burning all around us...but the Changing of the Guards is on the way. The System must change too...or it must fall.

Subject: RE: Dylan's use of Cards as symbolism
From: LR Mole
Date: 13 Oct 00 - 10:48 AM

Is that the trump of doom?