This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/oct/24/another-side-of-bob-dylans-doctorate
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Another side of Bob Dylan’s doctorate | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| I was the person who “burbled on” in Dylan’s praise on the occasion of his honorary doctorate at the University of St Andrews in 2004 (Letters, 24 October), but I would not presume to speak for the “experience” of the university then, and am unsure how this letter writer can. | I was the person who “burbled on” in Dylan’s praise on the occasion of his honorary doctorate at the University of St Andrews in 2004 (Letters, 24 October), but I would not presume to speak for the “experience” of the university then, and am unsure how this letter writer can. |
| Dylan is described as arriving with an “entourage” and leaving with a “train”. To my memory, he was accompanied by only two people, both manifestly enjoying the occasion. While Dylan waited to go on stage he happily signed copies of books. He did not “ignore” the choir’s version of Blowin’ in the Wind but listened intently and applauded. I jokingly asked him if he ever sang it like that and he said, “I do, I do sing it like that.” Since he most certainly did not, I took this as a (deserved) compliment to them. He also congratulated the other honorary graduands as they received their degrees, and was aware of the work of one of them, the philosopher Hilary Putnam. | Dylan is described as arriving with an “entourage” and leaving with a “train”. To my memory, he was accompanied by only two people, both manifestly enjoying the occasion. While Dylan waited to go on stage he happily signed copies of books. He did not “ignore” the choir’s version of Blowin’ in the Wind but listened intently and applauded. I jokingly asked him if he ever sang it like that and he said, “I do, I do sing it like that.” Since he most certainly did not, I took this as a (deserved) compliment to them. He also congratulated the other honorary graduands as they received their degrees, and was aware of the work of one of them, the philosopher Hilary Putnam. |
| He waited patiently for photographs afterwards, said the occasion had been “a pleasure” and told us he’d frame his scroll. Before getting into his car he shook hands with the chancellor, principal and me, and said goodbye in the conventional way, as did the two people with him. | He waited patiently for photographs afterwards, said the occasion had been “a pleasure” and told us he’d frame his scroll. Before getting into his car he shook hands with the chancellor, principal and me, and said goodbye in the conventional way, as did the two people with him. |
| For the record, I stand by my burbling.Neil CorcoranEmeritus professor of English literature, University of Liverpool | For the record, I stand by my burbling.Neil CorcoranEmeritus professor of English literature, University of Liverpool |
| • I was in the audience in St Andrews that day, and I am very glad that I was. Two points: Mr Dylan had flown from America and was giving a concert that night in Glasgow. He normally would have been sleeping off the jet lag that afternoon and, given his age and the gruelling schedule, I think he should be cut some slack in the yawning stakes. | • I was in the audience in St Andrews that day, and I am very glad that I was. Two points: Mr Dylan had flown from America and was giving a concert that night in Glasgow. He normally would have been sleeping off the jet lag that afternoon and, given his age and the gruelling schedule, I think he should be cut some slack in the yawning stakes. |
| As for speaking, he wasn’t supposed to, and he followed the protocol that was laid down for him by not doing so.Andrew MuirCambridge | As for speaking, he wasn’t supposed to, and he followed the protocol that was laid down for him by not doing so.Andrew MuirCambridge |
| • In 1969 I was about to start my final year of BEd Hons at Bulmershe College of Higher Education. I applied to write my English thesis on the lyrics of Bob Dylan. The board at Reading University informed me I could not do this because his words did not amount to literature! | • In 1969 I was about to start my final year of BEd Hons at Bulmershe College of Higher Education. I applied to write my English thesis on the lyrics of Bob Dylan. The board at Reading University informed me I could not do this because his words did not amount to literature! |
| He now has been awarded the Nobel prize for literature. The mongrel dogs who teach?Roger GillHebden Bridge, West Yorkshire | He now has been awarded the Nobel prize for literature. The mongrel dogs who teach?Roger GillHebden Bridge, West Yorkshire |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |