“Words Are but Wind”

Chapter four examines proverbs and proverbial language Bob Dylan (1941–) used throughout his career as a pioneering folk artist and social justice advocate. Dylan used music to shed light on social injustices such as racism, capitalism, and inequities in the American criminal justice system throughout the Civil Rights Movement and beyond. Through the lens of peremiology, chapter four delves into current Dylan scholarship including: biographies, literary studies, interviews, and Dylan’s extensive catalogue of music to understand some of the ways that Dylan’s proverb and proverbial language use influenced others. Chapter four illustrates that Dylan used proverbs as leitmotifs in some songs such as Blowin’ in the Wind (1962). Likewise, some of the phrases and lyrics in his music became proverbial overtime through widespread use. Chapter four explores the extent that Dylan used proverbs to make important points in his songs and the extent that they reflect his philosophical viewpoints.