Crimson flames tied through my ears

[ET Awful]

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
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.

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.

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.

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.

[progressor]

1. One of my favorites...

...pretty good for a 22 or 23 year old.

[ET Awful]

2. Agreed. . .

It's coming from someone maturing faster than many young people do and realizing that he doesn't, in fact, know everything. You get that image of a kid who formed most of his world view on what his circle of friends said, and has suddenly reached a point of awakening so to speak.

Great song :).

[flakey_foont]

3. The Byrds

did an awesome version of that song.......ah, the memories!

[ET Awful]

4. Yes they did, but I liked Dylan's version much better

Not because I like him better as a musician, but because it's such a personal song, and coming from the person who actually had those thoughts, it just says so much more.

[flakey_foont]

5. Dylan's was better

but the Byrds version is still a classic
same with, say, Hendrix and "All Along the Watchtower" not better than the original, but great nonetheless