The Tao of Walking Ridge

Liam Nelson to Bob Dylan in the early ’60s in Greenwich Village:

Remember, Bob, no fear, no envy, no meanness.

Dave Van Ronk sang this traditional song during Dylan’s early years in Greenwich Village. Dylan recorded it before Van Ronk did, including it on his first album. It became so well known that Van Ronk had to stop playing it, as everyone assumed he’d copied Dylan. Later, when the Animals covered the tune, Dylan had to stop playing it as so many believed that he had copied the Animals. It is a great song that can be interpreted in many ways.

The House of the Rising Sun at the Raven Coffeehouse, Port Huron Michigan, Nov 2008.