Here's a brief analysis of the song's lyrics:
1. The Opening Stanza:
- The song opens with imagery of poverty, oppression, and hopelessness. Dylan sings about a "dirty old man" and a "child that's barely been fed," highlighting the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities.
2. Verse 1:
- Dylan uses Biblical allusions to compare the struggle for justice to the Israelites' journey out of Egypt. He references the spiritual song "Go Down, Moses" and draws parallels between the struggles of African-Americans and the plight of the enslaved Israelites.
3. Chorus:
- The chorus repeats the line, "Baby rain must fall," emphasizing the idea that change and justice are inevitable, even if they may seem slow in coming.
4. Verse 2:
- Dylan criticizes the hypocrisy and indifference of those in power, singing about the "king in his mansion" who "ain't got no time to listen" to the cries of the oppressed.
5. Chorus:
- The chorus repeats, reinforcing the message of the inevitability of change.
6. Verse 3:
- Dylan depicts a vivid image of a "storm is threat'ning" and a "flood is on its way," symbolizing the growing momentum and power of the Civil Rights Movement.
7. Chorus:
- The chorus repeats once again, emphasizing the impending arrival of change.
8. Outro:
- The song ends with Dylan repeating the lines "Baby rain must fall" and "Go down, Moses" as if urging action and calling for change to come sooner rather than later.
Overall, "Baby Rain Must Fall" serves as a powerful and empathetic response to the Civil Rights Movement, expressing solidarity with the oppressed and conveying a sense of hope and determination for a more just and equitable world.