Bob Dylan's new track False Prophet has all the depth, soul and poetry we've come to expect from the singer-songwriter.
Spoken more than sung, the song came as an announcement of an upcoming Dylan album – the first to feature original songwriting in eight years – called Rough and Rowdy Days.
The song is the third that Dylan has released over the last few weeks, coming after Murder Most Foul, a 17-minute ballad about the assassination of John F Kennedy, and I Contain Multitudes, which takes its title from a line in Walt Whitman's poem, Song of Myself.
Unpacking what False Prophet is about is an exercise in guess work, as with many of the famous crooner's most elaborate ballads. Maybe Dylan will one day expand on his lyrics himself, although that's highly doubtful given the songwriter's staunch position on letting his audience interpret his songs the way they'd like. But given the lyrics' mystical and enigmatic qualities, we thought we'd give it a shot.
A political beginning?
“Another day that don’t end / Another ship goin’ out,” Dylan starts the song with a gruff confidence, showing how time has only served to add more character to his voice.
“Another day of anger, bitterness, and doubt / I know how it happened / I saw it begin / I opened my heart to the world and the world came in.”
This doesn’t offer much in terms of lyrical clues.
It suggests a Nietzschean eternal recurrence to everyday life as Dylan sees it. Maybe it even touches upon the cyclical nature of historic events, and of human nature.
Either way, the 78-year-old pop culture figure has certainly seen a lot in his six-decade career. Dylan has been as much an activist as he has a folk icon. His songs have been used in protests against the Vietnam War and a good bulk of his lyrics can be read as political commentary, from his latest Murder Most Foul to his 1983 song Jokerman, which is said to be a scathing critique of the politics of US President Ronald Reagan.
In short Dylan's seen a lot, and it's not much of a stretch to assume a political undertone to the lyrics of False Prophet.
However, the last line of the first verse ('I opened my heart to the world and the world came in') sends a message of love and acceptance – especially when confronted with a day of anger, bitterness and doubt. Open your heart, the troubadour says. And the world will gush in with meaning, love and reason – even if it seems dominated by anger and darkness at times, like it does these days.
It is some learned advice from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
Then the lyrics get personal
As the song progresses, the lyrics gradually veer off the political and begin to convey a different, more personal meaning.
“I’m the enemy of treason / Enemy of strife / Enemy of the unlived meaningless life,” Dylan sings. “I ain’t no false prophet / I just know what I know / I go where only the lonely can go.”
In some way, the song seems to look back on Dylan’s own career. It hints at his activism as well as his search for meaning.
His claim that he isn't a false prophet is intriguing. Often times, a person who is seen as a false prophet by some is also seen as a true prophet by others.
As the song came with an album announcement, perhaps this is Dylan's rise from the ashes, his realisation that he is at his happiest while writing new music
Yet, we don’t think that Dylan is purporting himself to be a prophet. Rather, he is sure of the things he has seen, he is sure of the opinions he has and his perspective on the world.
But he is also aware that his viewpoints may not coincide with everyone’s. The key to this verse may be in its final line ("I go where only the lonely can go"). It is, perhaps, a way of seeing the world that is cultivated through loneliness, or more probably solitude, that he is preaching. Of course this is merely conjecture.
He sums up his career
Perhaps the most beautiful two lines of the song are sung in the middle: “I sing songs of love / I sing songs of betrayal,” which perfectly sum up Dylan’s songwriting approach and the essence of what made him a legend of folk music.
Dylan brings up the false prophet reference again in the song’s final verse: “I ain’t no false prophet / No, I’m nobody’s bride / Can’t remember when I was born / And I forgot when I died.” Again, Dylan here is calling out a solitary state.
The line "I’m nobody’s bride" brings to mind the string of relationships across Dylan’s life. From his failed marriages to Sara Dylan (which ended with a $36 million divorce settlement) and Carolyn Dennis, who was Bob Dylan’s back-up singer and wife until 1992.
Whether or not these relationships really have anything to do with the song's final verse, we'll leave you to decide for yourself.
The final line of the song is perhaps the most interesting. Does Dylan feel like he’s been dead for some time? Is he, with the song, reminding himself what he stood for, that he was an enemy of the unlived meaningless life, and has somehow found himself subdued by the monotony he hinted at in the beginning of the song?
As the song also came with an announcement for an upcoming album, perhaps this is Dylan’s rise from the ashes, his realisation that he is at his happiest, most fulfilled while writing new music. If that is the case, we couldn’t be more accepting and we welcome the return of the folk star.
The cover art for False Prophet has also as much to unpack as the song. It features a one-eyed skeleton in a flower-lapelled tuxedo and a top hat, holding a long gift-box that is reminiscent of how mob-assassins concealed their machine guns. In his right hand the skeleton has a syringe and a kerchief, the back drop shows a shadow of a hanging man. Is this a self-portrait of Dylan in vaudevillian macabre? Again, that is for you to decide.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Western Region Asia Cup T20 Qualifier
Sun Feb 23 – Thu Feb 27, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the Asia qualifier in Malaysia in August
Group A
Bahrain, Maldives, Oman, Qatar
Group B
UAE, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Trolls World Tour
Directed by: Walt Dohrn, David Smith
Starring: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake
Rating: 4 stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Favourite book: ‘The Art of Learning’ by Josh Waitzkin
Favourite film: Marvel movies
Favourite parkour spot in Dubai: Residence towers in Jumeirah Beach Residence
