My Back Pages

[Verse 1]

Crimson flames tied through my ears

Rolling high and mighty traps

I pounced with fire on flaming roads

Using ideas as my maps

"We’ll meet on edges soon," said I

Proud 'neath heated brow

[Refrain]

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

[Verse 2]

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth

"Rip down all hate," I screamed

Lies that life is black and white

Spoke from my skull, I dreamed

Romantic facts of musketeers

Foundationed deep somehow

[Refrain]

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

[Verse 3]

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hands

At the mongrel dogs who teach

Fearing not that I'd become my enemy

In the instant that I preached

My pathway led by confusion boats

Mutiny from stern to bow

[Refrain]

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

[Guitar Solo]

[Refrain]

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now

[Verse 4]

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats

Too noble to neglect

Deceived me into thinking

That I had something to protect

Good and bad, I define these terms

Quite clear, no doubt, somehow

[Refrain]

Ah, but I was so much older then

I’m younger than that now