My Back Pages

Crimson flames tied through my ears rollin' high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads using ideas as my maps
We'll meet on edges, soon, said I proud 'neath heated brow
Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that 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 foundation deep, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now

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

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