My Back Pages Lyrics

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
countless fire and flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
"We'll meet on ledges, soon," said I
Proud 'neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger then than now.

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.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger then than now.

In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not I'd become my enemy
In the instant that I preached
My existance led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger then than now.

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I'm younger then than now.