i was so much older then

[ashling]

Crimson flames tied through my years
Rollin high and mighty trapped
Countless violent flaming roads
Using ideas as my map
Well meet on edges soon said i
Proud neath heated brow
Ah but I was so much older then
Im 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 flanks of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow
Ah but I was so much older then
Im younger than that now

In a soldiers stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not Id become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
Sisters fled by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
Ah but I was so much older then
Im younger than that now

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
Im younger than that now

[Bonhomme Richard]

1. Love the tune and lyrics. My band still plays this song...

and the audience loves it. Has to be payed with the Rickenbacker 12 string.

[pinboy3niner]

4. Like McGuinn with his jingle-jangle 12-string...

Dylan caught a lot of flak for this song, and he didn't play it in concert for many years. I always preferred the Byrds' version, anyway--even though McGuinn dropped a verse to shorten it.

The Byrds - Live in Stockholm: My Back Pages (w/ brief intro by Roger McGuinn) (4:03):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aNBMWy_Hls

Recorded version w/stills of the band (3:12):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FUGzwUTN80

[RedCloud]

2. Robert Zimmerman!

[Shanti Mama]

3. oh, the memories

I've sung it hundreds of times -- or at least I've sung the chorus -- but have never read it. Wow!