Episode #29
29. Goodbye Jimmy Reed with Erin Callahan
Welcome to Songs of Experience: A Bob Dylan Podcast, where we explore the man and the music one song at a time. In this episode, Henry welcomes back his bestie Erin Callahan to talk about Goodbye Jimmy Reed and the finale of the Long Hot Summer 2026 in Nashville! Goodbye Jimmy Reed Written by: Bob Dylan I live on a street named after a Saint Women in the churches wear powder and paint Where the Jews and the Catholics and the Muslims all pray I can tell a Proddy from a mile away Goodbye Jimmy Reed - Jimmy Reed indeed Give me that old time religion, it’s just what I need For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory Go tell it on the Mountain, go tell the real story Tell it in that straight forward puritanical tone In the mystic hours when a person’s alone Goodbye Jimmy Reed - Godspeed Thump on the bible - proclaim the creed You won’t amount to much the people all said ‘Cause I didn’t play guitar behind my head Never pandered never acted proud Never took off my shoes and threw them into the crowd Goodbye Jimmy Reed - goodbye and goodnight I’ll put a jewel in your crown - I’ll put out the light They threw everything at me, everything in the book Had nothing to fight with but a butcher’s hook They have no pity - they don’t lend a hand And I can’t sing a song that I don’t understand Goodbye Jimmy Reed - goodbye and good luck Can’t play the record ‘cause my needle got stuck Transparent woman in a transparent dress It suits you well - I must confess I’ll break open your grapes I’ll suck out the juice I need you like my head needs a noose Goodbye Jimmy Reed, goodbye and so long I thought I could resist her but I was so wrong G-d be with you, brother dear If you don’t mind me asking, what brings you here? Oh, nothing much, I’m just looking for the man I came to see where he’s lying in this lost land Goodbye Jimmy Reed and with everything within ya Can’t you hear me calling from down in Virginia Check out Erin's new book! https://bookshop.org/p/books/bob-dylan-in-the-1980s-a-reconsideration-erin-c-callahan/1f54f866c253f95d And her fabulous podcast: https://infinitygoesupontrial.substack.com/ Follow us on Instagram @songsofbob, If you would like to support hosting my podcasts, please check out my Patreon where for $5 I will give you a shout out on the podcast of your choice. Thank you to, Rob Kelly, Roberta Rakove, Matt Simonson, and Christopher Vanni. For $10, in addition to the shout-out I'll send you a surprise piece of Bob Dylan merch! Thank you to Kaitie Cerovec who is already enjoying her merch! I have a merch shop ! Check out all sorts of fun Bob Dylan (and more) items! Thank you to Mark Godfrey, Linda Maultsby and Nancy Cobb over on Substack . Email us at songsofbobdylan@gmail.com Subscribe: YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Spotify, Substack .
