MAN OF PEACE
I can smell something cooking

MAN OF PEACE





Look out your window baby

There's a scene you'd like to catch

The band is playing Dixie

A man got his hand outstretched

Could be the Führer

Could be the local priest

You know sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

He got a sweet gift of gab

He got a harmonious tongue

He knows every song of love

That ever has been sung

Good intentions can be evil

Both hands can be full of grease

You know that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

Well first he's in the background

Then he's in the front

Both eyes are looking

Like they're on a rabbit hunt

Nobody can see through him

No not even the Chief of Police

You know that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

Well he catch you when you're hoping

For a glimpse of the sun

Catch you when your troubles

Feel like they weigh a ton

He could be standing next to you

The person that you'd notice least

I hear that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

Well he can be fascinating

He can be dull

He can ride down Niagara Falls

In the barrels of your skull

I can smell something cooking

I can tell there's going to be a feast

You know that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

He's a great humanitarian

He's a great philanthropist

He knows just where to touch you honey

and how you like to be kissed

He'll put both his arms around you

You can feel the tender touch of the beast

You know that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

Well the howling wolf will howl tonight

The king snake will crawl

Trees that've stood for a thousand years

Suddenly will fall

Wanna get married? Do it now

Tomorrow all activity will cease

You know that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace

Somewhere Mama's weeping

For her blue-eyed boy

She's holding them little white shoes

And that little broken toy

And he's following a star

The same one them three men followed from the East

I hear that sometimes

Satan comes as a man of peace





PERFORMANCES SINCE 1999


1999.11.09, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

1999.11.15, ITHACA, NEW YORK

1999.11.18, AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS

2000.09.19, NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND


Having been performed once in 1996 (the only time since 1991), "MAN OF PEACE" had three appearances in November 1999, amid other rare gems on that tour. It had not been performed since then, when, ten months later, Bob started his fine European fall tour in September 2000. Tension rose within me as I saw it on the cue sheet in Glasgow with my binoculars as the first choice in slot number 18. Bob however chose to play the third choice, "TO BE ALONE WITH YOU" (the second choice was "EVERYTHING IS BROKEN", which he then performed in Birmingham).

In Newcastle, two days later, he finally pulled out "MAN OF PEACE", this grave warning about the craftiness of the father of lies, in the number 16 slot, where H61 was performed in the four previous shows. I would say "MAN OF PEACE" rocked at least as much. This was probably not the only reason why he keeps on singing challenging lyrics like "MAN OF PEACE". I think Bob Dylan believes what he sings in those songs, and that the biblical viewpoints conveyed on stage are his own.



































Biblical references:


~ 2 Corinthians 11 ~


Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.


~ John 8 ~

The devil … was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.


~ Luke 12 ~

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”


~ Matthew 2 ~

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: " 'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.' " Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.










He could be standing next to you, the person that you'd notice least