Reception of the Biblical Text in Bob Dylan’s Man Gave Name To All The Animals

Abstract

The American singer, songwriter and author Bob Dylan (b. 1941) has been for more than half a century one of the most distinguished and influential figures in the scene of world pop culture. This articles intends analyse how the biblical text of Genesis 2.19b-20a (“the man gave names to every type of animals”) in his song Man gave to all the animals, of 1979. Therefore, the article will have this structure: (1) presentation of some aspects of Bob Dylan’s life and work; (2) an analysis of lyrics and music of the mentioned song; (3) presentation of rereadings of the song in the scene of world pop culture (Brazil included) and (4) critical remarks about the reception of the biblical text in the aforementioned song. Thus, the article intends to present a “trialogue” between literature, music, theology and the religious studies.