My back pages  Byrds

##song. You may only use this file for private study, scholarship, or research. ##Subject: CRD: My Back Pages (The Byrds/Dylan)##                     (Words and Music by Bob Dylan)#                    Renewed 1992 Special Rider Music#(This is The Byrds' arrangement.  Lyrics provided by Roger McGuinn in a##[C]Crimson [Am]flames tied [Em]through my ears


Rollin' [F]high and [G]mighty [C]traps


[C]Pounced with [Am]fire on [Em]flaming roads


Using [F]ideas as my[G] maps


"We'll [Am]meet on edges, [Em]soon," said I


[F]Proud 'neath heated [G]brow.


Ah, but [C]I was so much [F]older [C]then,


     A      B         E  (intro riff twice)


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 (flanks) of musketeers


Foundationed deep, somehow.


Ah, but I was so much older then,


bI'm younger than that now.


(The next two verses were left out by The Byrds)


Girls' faces formed the forward path


From phony jealousy


To memorizing politics


Of ancient history


Flung down by corpse evangelists


Unthought of, though, somehow.


Ah, but I was so much older then,


I'm younger than that now.


A self-ordained professor's tongue


Too serious to fool


Spouted out that liberty


Is just equality in school


"Equality," I spoke the word


As if a wedding vow.


Ah, but I was so much older then,


I'm younger than that now.


(The Byrds pick it up here)


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 (Sisters fled) by confusion boats


Mutiny from stern to bow.


Ah, but I was so much older then,


I'm younger than that now.


(12-string guitar solo followed by the refrain)


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.


[--]Len Moskowitz


moskowit@panix.com