My Back Pages
The Byrds Lyrics
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Rollin' high and mighty traps
Countless 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
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
Sisters fled 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
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
The Byrds' song "My Back Pages" is essentially about growing up and learning to see the world in a different way. The opening lines of the song set the stage for the rest of the lyrics- the "crimson flames" signify the singer's youthful passion and intensity, which is reflected in their desire to explore "flaming roads" using "ideas as [their] maps." The singer exclaims that they and their comrades will "meet on edges soon", which suggests a sense of adventure and the hope for discovering new horizons. But despite this sense of enthusiasm, the singer acknowledges that they were "so much older then"- that is, when they were younger- and that they're "younger than that now."
The idea of aging is further explored in the second verse, when the singer describes how their youthful prejudices have given way to more nuanced perspectives. They once saw the world in black and white terms, but now understand that the truth is more complicated than that. The singer notes how romantic myths of musketeers used to appeal to them, but now they see how much deeper the foundations of their own beliefs go. Again, there's a sense that the singer is feeling nostalgic for their younger self, while at the same time acknowledging that they've grown wiser with age.
The final verse of the song sees the singer taking aim at those who would try to pigeonhole them with "abstract threats." They reject the notion that they have something to protect, and instead define good and bad on their own terms. The final line echoes the phrase "I was so much older then" from the earlier verses, underscoring the idea that growth and change are a constant process.
Line by Line Meaning
Crimson flames tied through my ears
The intensity of the moment is overwhelming and dominates me completely.
Rollin' high and mighty traps
I feel like I'm caught up in something bigger than myself, like I'm an insignificant pawn in the game of life.
Countless with fire on flaming roads
There are so many people and so many things happening around me that I feel lost and helpless.
Using ideas as my maps
I'm using my thoughts and beliefs to guide me, but they don't seem to be helping me find my way.
We'll meet on edges, soon, said I
I know that I'm going to have to face the unknown and the uncertain, and I'm trying to prepare myself for it.
Proud 'neath heated brow
Even though I'm struggling and feeling overwhelmed, I'm determined to keep going and not give up.
Ah, but I was so much older then
Looking back on my past experiences, I realize how much I've grown and changed, even though it doesn't always feel that way in the moment.
I'm younger than that now
Despite feeling older and wiser, I still have a lot to learn and a lot of growing to do.
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
I'm grappling with my own biases and prejudices, which are causing internal conflict and turmoil.
Rip down all hate, I screamed
I'm frustrated with the hate and division in the world, and I want to do my part to tear it down and build something better.
Lies that life is black and white
I'm realizing that the world is much more complex and nuanced than I once thought, and that there aren't easy answers to life's big questions.
Spoke from my skull I dreamed
I'm struggling to reconcile my thoughts and beliefs with reality, and sometimes my imagination gets the better of me.
Romantic facts of musketeers
I'm drawn to the idea of heroic figures and romantic ideals, even though I know they don't always translate to real life.
Foundationed deep, somehow
These ideals and beliefs are ingrained in me, even if I sometimes struggle to put them into practice.
In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
I'm taking a firm and resolute stance, ready to fight for what I believe in.
At the mongrel dogs who teach
I'm angry at the people and institutions that I feel are leading me astray or teaching me the wrong things.
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
I'm unafraid of the possibility that my own desires and beliefs could turn me into someone I don't want to be.
In the instant that I preach
Even as I stand up for what I believe in, I'm aware of the danger of becoming too dogmatic or self-righteous.
Sisters fled by confusion boats
People around me are struggling and uncertain, just like I am, and it's hard to know where to turn for guidance and support.
Mutiny from stern to bow
There's unrest and rebellion all around me, as people begin to question the status quo and seek something better.
My guard stood hard when abstract threats
I'm vigilant and defensive, always on guard against threats that may not even exist.
Too noble to neglect
I'm committed to doing what's right and just, even when it's difficult or unpopular.
Deceived me into thinking
Despite my best efforts, I know that my own beliefs and biases can cloud my judgment and lead me astray.
I had something to protect
I'm driven by a desire to protect and defend what I hold dear, even if it means facing difficult challenges and making difficult choices.
Good and bad, I define these terms
I'm grappling with the meaning of morality and ethics, trying to determine what's right and wrong in a complex and often confusing world.
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Despite the confusion and uncertainty, I'm still confident that I can find my way and make sense of the world around me.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Bob Dylan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dorbenlajotvlogs2433
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin' high and mighty traps
Countless 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
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
Sisters fled 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
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
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
[Verse 1] Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rolling 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
[Refrain] Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
[Verse 2] 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
[Verse 3] Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Un-thought of, though, somehow
[Verse 4] 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
[Verse 5] 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 existence led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
[Verse 6] 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
@timothypittman8567
This is one of those songs that sticks with you over the years. Its meaning deepens over time. As my eyesight fades, clarity becomes sharper. I am now one of those old people, yet inside still only a child.
@Ad-Ac
I discovered this song at 25, now this year. Crazy, ain't it?
Massive Bob Dylan here
@telecomex
Amen my fellow new found friend. 69 now and i too was so much older then, but i'm thankfully younger than that now. Peace my friend. My tears have begun again. Where did our lives go? ss Vancouver BC
@jamessilva7991
@Sunny Skies Indeed.
@wildbill5670
Our brain always thinks we are still young while the servant of the mind, the body dies.
@jackfitzpatrick8173
You've been reading my mind! 🙂 Wasn't it absolutely amazing that we were there when all these classics came out!
@jjflash1645
One of their best songs. At 77 I never get tired of hearing it.
@stevepickett4453
Yes , my friend me too at 68 yrs it's the same for me too , a beautiful song 🎵
@user-om9tz5wr8v
yes my friend 、I'm 66.
@glenbeltz9740
Written by Bob Dylan