Crossing the Rubicon

Crossing the Rubicon is the 8th song from Bob Dylan's 39th studio album Rough and Rowdy Ways. "Crossing the rubicon" is a phrase that means that you have gone to "the place of no return" (another common phrase) – and cannot go back. At 7:24, it is the third-longest track on the album, under "Key West (Philosopher Pirate)" and the 17-minute "Murder Most Foul" (this track is Dylan's longest ever). Like the rest of the record, it was recorded in Los Angeles, California in February 2020.

Background
The term "crossing the rubicon" is a phrase used for describing being at a point of no return. After you have crossed the rubicon, you cannot go back to where you were before. The Rubicon, in this case, is Dylan's own mortality (a common theme on this album). Dylan also weaves in references to Roman culture and Biblical connotations (other things often done on this record). The narrator compares his tale to Julius Caesar, trading in his debts on March 14th, the date before the Ides of March. The Ides of March are famous for being the date that Caesar was murdered by 23 other senators – and seems to be the day the narrator expects to die.

Music
There's not much musically to this song. It's an electric blues rocker like "False Prophet" or "Goodbye Jimmy Reed". Blake Mills plays a sliding riff based on G7, and Dylan seems to be playing rhythm guitar. Matt Chamberlain plays some drums and Tony Garnier plays bass guitar, as usual.

The song is in G Blues Major.

Personnel

 * Bob Dylan – vocals, rhythm guitar
 * Blake Mills – lead guitar
 * Tony Garnier – bass
 * Matt Chamberlain – drums