Thanks for an excellent comment that adds to the discussion. Interesting thought, the Warhol connection is well-documented.

There’s a theory that this song was about a transvestite. I believe Dylan was hanging out with Andy Warhol at this time and he took him into the oddity of his world and introduced him to lots of different characters. The line about not fitting might have some thing to do with this too? I don’t know – it’s still mystery and one to chew over.

Hello, Join us inside Bob Dylan’s Music Box http://thebobdylanproject.com/Song/id/191/Fixin'-to-Die and listen to every version of every song.

I have a live version of Freight Train Blues. You can purchase it on ITunes on the compilation Folk Barbecue Party. He also plays Stealin’ Stealin’.

Very cool site! Thanks for the link, I’ll be checking it out in-depth.

Hello there, thank you for posting this interesting essay. Join us inside Bob Dylan’s Music Box  http://thebobdylanproject.com/Song/id/36/As-I-Went-Out-One-Morning and listen to every version of every song

Well, then, it seems that Dylan was the only one of his era to have been able to embody fully the musicality that is essential to great poetry, the second voice that haunts every poet, but which he generally delegates to those who recite or read him, the power of song that is his ultimate and secret truth and that some have gone mad – literally and tragically mad – trying to pull from cage into canto.

Just noticed that the traditional Rocks and Gravel includes the lines:

Don’t my gal look good, When she’s comin’ after me?

very similar to the lines in this song, “don’t my gal..”

good  point, didn’t think of that. 🙂

Duluth, MN, is an international seaport. Dylan mentions the cold, massive, dangerous Lake Superior many times in song, interviews, and in Chronicles.