My Back Pages (Live 10/16/1992)

Crimson flames tied through my ears

Rolling high and mighty traps

Countless 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

Foundationed deep, somehow

Ah, but I was so much older then

I'm younger than that now

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

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

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 preach

My existence led by confusion boats

Mutiny from stern to bow

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