Dug’s Songbook – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” by Bob Dylan

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(This Songbook entry was submitted by Dug Begley, a former Fayetteville reporter for The Morning News who now tells Californians what’s what.)

Ah, the consolation prize. The proverbial porcelain Dalmatian from the Wheel of Fortune prize room. That’s what this song is about. Hate the man’s voice if you like, but Dylan is the most important poet of the late 20th century.

And this song is one of the testaments to that. It’s the last word before a door slams and someone walks down the hall with a suitcase. At least it was before “f#ck you,” somehow became acceptable banter. It’s simple, with no malice but a hint of hurt. Don’t think twice, it’s alright.

It’s the honesty that hooks me. “I ain’t sayin’ you treated me unkind/ You could have done better but I don’t mind/ You just kinda wasted my precious time.”

Yeah! So up yours Subway guy who forgot my jalapenos. You could have done better and you wasted my time. But don’t think twice, it’s alright. (Disclaimer: Do not tell the “sandwich artist” he/she wasted your time and expect them to speed up.)

So it is possible to forgive and forget and not lash out when that most of basic of modern freedoms, our precious time, is taken away. It’s all good in the hood, baby. Just move on, either in body or in mind.

That ass driving slow in the left lane is just doing his thing. So’s the lady in front of you at Marvins with all the coupons.

Dylan’s got your back.

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