Bob Dylan / 6:05
Musicians: Bob Dylan: vocals, guitar; Fred Tackett: guitar; Spooner Oldham: organ; Barry Beckett: electric piano; Terry Young: piano; Tim Drummond: bass; Jim Keltner: drums / Recording Studio: Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Sheffield, Alabama: February 11 and 15, 1980 (?) / Producers: Jerry Wexler and Barry Beckett / Sound Engineer: Gregg Hamm
On the inner cover of the original release of Saved, Dylan cites a passage from the book of Jeremiah: “Behold, the days come, sayeth the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” This is a reference to the schism between the twelve tribes of Israel. On one side, ten tribes originally formed the kingdom of Israel, while the other two tribes became the kingdom of Judah. Dylan, who was born Jewish, converted to Christianity, and because of this he became a symbol of reconciliation. Perhaps the songwriter also refers to the woman who guided him on the path to Jesus Christ, actress Mary Alice Artes, the one “who knows those most secret things of me that are hidden from the world,” the covenant woman.
After being the highlight of the Gospel Tour, “Covenant Woman” was recorded in nine takes during the first session for Saved on February 11, 1980. Aside from the lyrics, the tune is a pop ballad, without any gospel color. Overdubs were probably done, as two acoustic and two electric guitars are heard. Dylan did not like the results of the session. There might have been a second session on February 15 to redo it completely.