Bob Dylan Revives 'The Lakes of Pontchartrain' After 34-Year Hiatus

12 hours ago7 min read

In a stunning move that electrified his audience, Bob Dylan resurrected the traditional folk ballad 'The Lakes of Pontchartrain' during a recent performance, marking its first appearance on his setlist in 34 years. The song, a haunting tale of a lonely traveler and a Creole girl with origins in Irish and American Southern oral traditions, was a fixture in the early days of his Never Ending Tour, last performed in 1991.Its unexpected return is a significant event for Dylan's dedicated followers, who track the setlist evolution of the artist's multi-decade tour. The revival acts as a powerful bridge between the tour's gritty, back-to-basics beginnings and Dylan's current artistic phase, which has been heavily focused on interpreting traditional American standards.His performance was not a mere recreation but a reinterpretation, with his weathered voice uncovering new layers of longing in the ancient lyrics. This deliberate choice underscores Dylan's role as a master curator of the folk tradition, treating it not as a relic but as a living, flowing river. The moment solidifies the Never Ending Tour as a dynamic, ever-evolving archive, proving that in Dylan's hands, the past is never truly forgotten, only waiting for the right moment to return.

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#Bob Dylan

#Never Ending Tour

#folk ballad

#live performance

#setlist

#The Lakes of Pontchartrain