Expecting Rain

You have given everything to me
What can I do for You?
You have given me eyes to see
What can I do for You?

Pulled me out of bondage and You made me renewed inside
Filled up a hunger that had always been denied
Opened up a door no man can shut and You opened it up so wide
And You’ve chosen me to be among the few
What can I do for You?

You have laid down Your life for me
What can I do for You?
You have explained every mystery
What can I do for You?

Soon as a man is born, you know the sparks begin to fly
He gets wise in his own eyes and he’s made to believe a lie
Who would deliver him from the death he’s bound to die?
Well, You’ve done it all and there’s no more anyone can pretend to do
What can I do for You?

You have given all there is to give
What can I do for You?
You have given me life to live
How can I live for You?

I know all about poison, I know all about fiery darts
I don’t care how rough the road is, show me where it starts
Whatever pleases You, tell it to my heart
Well, I don’t deserve it but I sure did make it through
What can I do for You?


In my personal opinion, this is Bob's finest song from the Gospel period. Many many great ones, sure, but this one, in terms of lyrical beauty, a haunting melody, and a performance on the album that can be equalled to any he's ever done in his career. It's a song of strength through humility, devotional love, and ultimately a song of thanks.

As a gift to the addressed, Bob offered on a nightly basis, a performance of equal power on the stage. The highlight of the song as delivered by Bob incorporated the most beautiful harmonica solos that still cannot be topped to this day IMO. Each one, unique unto itself, and as strong a statement of the song as the very question in the title....

Two of note:
1. is obvious:

Massey Hall
April 20 1980
http://youtu.be/czdpnwmnOtU

But the best one for me has to be my hometown:

Santa Monica CA
November 18 1979
http://www.sendspace.com/file/jipajz

Where we at y'all on this most holy of songs in the canon???

It has to be his number one from his religious years, sole because of your #1 example, right? Regardless of the religiosity of it, the song embodies humility. He's been given everything, now what can he do for you? A question without an answer, not unseen with other of his songs. Though I'm the farthest from being religious, this song maintains a sensitivity which can't really be attacked or discredited. It's beautiful in the same way I find other gospel tunes.

A song I love very much. It was one of the first Dylan songs I learned to play on guitar... the harmonica part on the album rates with the best harmonica work of his career, IMO, and he did some great live harmonica work on this piece as well. As noted above, lyrics and tune came together on this in a hauntingly beautiful way and it captures it with humility.

Powerful song one of favs from the gospel period studio & live....... MEZ

best song (along with convenant woman) on saved and one of his best from his religious triology. superb.

Thanks for the excellent live version.
I think Gray had pointed out that Ricks has pointed out that "Soon as a man is born, you know the sparks begin to fly" is a brilliant compression of the modern American phrase "make sparks fly" and the Biblical warning "Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward" - so the sparks flying signal the sureness of the trouble coming to pass and the trouble itself.

I agree with UP - Dylan uses the harmonica exquisitely in this period to express his humility and gratitude.

Solid song...one of the best gospel period songs.

My favorite off of Saved. Only really got into it this past Summer.

That live version is so ... uh, alive - it makes me think that if Saved had been a live album, and then he'd finished and released the best tracks off of the Shot Of Love and Infidels sessions so those albums reached their potential ... that would have been an astonishing statement of intent at the start of the decade.

Love it!

Nothing beats the harmonica solo on Desolation Row, but yeah,its very good.

i cried the first time i heard the solo at the end.