Diamond and Rust
Judas Priest Lyrics

I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again
The singer is surprised to see their ex-lover's 'ghost' once again.

But that's not unusual It's just that the moon is full And you decided to call
The appearance of the ex-lover is not a surprise as it coincides with a full moon and their decision to call.

And here I sit, hand on the telephone Hearing the voice I'd known A couple of light years ago Headed straight for a fall
The singer is on the phone hearing the familiar voice of their ex-partner from the distant past who appears to be in a difficult situation.

But we both know what memories can bring They bring diamonds and rust Yes we both know what memories can bring They bring diamonds and rust
The artist and their ex-lover know that revisiting memories of their past relationship can lead to both happy memories and painful ones.

Now I see you standing with brown leaves all around and snow in your hair Now we're smiling out the window of the crummy hotel over Washington Square Our breath comes in white clouds, mingles and hangs in the air Speaking strictly for me we both could've died then and there
The artist and their ex-lover recall a past moment where they both smiled while looking out a window in a run-down hotel. The cold, wintry weather makes them think they could have died together in that moment.

Now you're telling me you're not nostalgic Then give me another word for it You were so good with words And at keeping things vague
The singer accuses their ex-lover of being nostalgic despite their denial of it. They challenge them to provide a new word for the feeling which the ex-lover seems skilled at describing vaguely.

Cause I need some of that vagueness now It's all come back too clearly, yes, I love you dearly And if you're offering me diamonds and rust, I've already paid
The singer desires the ex-lover's vagueness to help them deal with their strong emotions which have resurfaced. Despite still having strong feelings for their ex-lover, the singer has already suffered enough from the painful memories and does not want to repeat past mistakes.

Diamonds, diamonds and rust
The chorus repeats the idea that revisiting memories of the past can bring both positive and negative emotions, represented respectively by diamonds and rust.

Diamonds, diamonds and rust Diamonds, diamonds and rust Diamonds, diamonds and rust
The chorus is repeated three times to emphasize the theme that memories of past relationships bring both positive (diamonds) and negative (rust) emotions.