6. Diamonds And Rust
Judas Priest Lyrics

I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again
An acknowledgement of the reappearance of a past lover

But that's not unusual
Indicates the singer's acceptance of this occurrence as a regular happening

It's just that the moon is full
Ties the reappearance of the past lover to the phase of the moon

And you decided to call
Highlights the fact that the past lover initiated the call

And here I sit, hand on the telephone
Establishes the physical setting of the singer waiting by the phone

Hearing the voice I'd known
Expresses the singer's familiarity with the voice of the past lover

A couple of light years ago
Indicates the duration of time that has passed since the separation

Headed straight for a fall
Reveals the anticipation of the negative outcome of their relationship

But we both know what memories can bring
Reflects on the power of memories

They bring diamonds and rust
Memories can bring both positive and negative feelings

Now I see you standing with brown leaves all around and snow in your hair
Paints a picture of the past lover in the current moment

Now we're smiling out the window of the crummy hotel over Washington Square
Describes the setting where the singer and the past lover are at present

Our breath comes in white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air
Sets the tone of a cold, wintery night

Speaking strictly for me we both could've died then and there
Emphasizes the significance of the past relationship

Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic
The past lover denies any feelings of nostalgia

Then give me another word for it
The singer challenges the past lover's denial

You were so good with words
An acknowledgement of the past lover's verbal skills

And at keeping things vague
The past lover had a tendency to leave things undefined

'Cause I need some of that vagueness now
The singer desires that same vagueness in their current conversation

It's all come back too clearly, yes, I love you dearly
The singer admits their love for the past lover, despite trying to forget

And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid
Rejects the past lover's attempt to reconcile, stating the price has already been paid

Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings

Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings

Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings

Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Reiteration of the idea that memories bring both positive and negative feelings