Lyrics Change over Time

(12/19/14)

I have been listening to the same music most of my life. Case-in-point: Bob Dylan.

I am going through a very stressful transition at work and have insisted in Bob Dylan playing the background soundtrack through all of this. I don't know why really, it is just a need I have. The song that just popped on this morning is "My Back Pages". Truth be told, I have always love the refrain "Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now" as it resonates with my own life. However I haven't ever heard the rest of the lyrics until today. (His phrasing makes it hard to hear the poetry).

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


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



And in these words I found a version of myself who I have all but forgotten. I have lost touch with the girl whose driving force was justice and equality, who vowed to give away excess money, and to take intentional time to "retreat" and reconnect to nature/philosophy.

I am not sure how these ideals of my college aged self align with my post-grad self. There is an uncomfortable tension that I'd like to resolve.