Guitar chords My Back Pages

My Back Pages, by Bob Dylan, reflects his move away from the strict forms of political protest found in his earlier work. Penned in 1964, the song is an introspective look at his own personal and artistic evolution, marking the start of his shift towards more abstract and personal lyrics. The famous line I was so much older then, Im younger than that now symbolizes a rejection of previously held pretentious views and a move towards a more nuanced ... See more [+]

Key:  C
Introduction:
C
  
  
C
       
Am
         
Em
 
Crimson flames tied through my ears
     
F
            
G
       
C
 
Rollin' high and mighty traps
 
C
            
Am
       
Em
     
C
 
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
  
F
         
Em
     
G
 
Using ideas as my maps
        
F
      
Am
       
G
         
C
 
"We'll meet on edges, soon," said I
 
Am
                   
F
      
G
 
Proud 'neath heated brow.
     
C
                 
Am
     
C
 
Ah, but I was so much older then,
     
F
        
G
        
C
 
I'm younger than that now.

G
 

  
C
            
Am
     
Em
 
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
   
F
           
G
          
C
 
"Rip down all hate," I screamed
 
C
        
Am
       
Em
 
Lies that life is black and white
F
                        
G
 
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
   
Am
              
Em
 
Romantic facts of musketeers
     
F
                  
G
 
Foundationed deep, somehow.
        
C
      
Am
     
Em
      
F
 
Ah, but I was so much older then,
     
G
                
C
 
I'm younger than that now.

    
C
         
Am
         
Em
 
Girls' faces formed the forward path
       
F
    
G
     
C
 
From phony jealousy
    
C
   
Am
     
Em
 
To memorizing politics
   
F
             
G
 
Of ancient history
    
Am
                 
Em
 
Flung down by corpse evangelists
    
F
                      
G
 
Unthought of, though, somehow.
      
C
               
F
       
C
 
Ah, but I was so much older then,
     
F
        
G
        
C
 
I'm younger than that now.

   
C
      
Am
        
Em
 
A self-ordained professor's tongue
    
F
    
G
      
C
 
Too serious to fool
  
C
      
Am
      
Em
 
Spouted out that liberty
    
F
                  
G
 
Is just equality in school
   
Am
           
Em
 
"Equality," I spoke the word
   
F
             
G
 
As if a wedding vow.
       
C
      
Am
 
Ah, but I was so much older then,
 
F
           
G
         
C
 
I'm younger than that now.

      
C
          
Am
        
Em
 
In a soldier's stance, I aimed my hand
        
F
       
G
         
C
 
At the mongrel dogs who teach
 
C
                 
Am
         
Em
 
Fearing not that I'd become my enemy
        
F
               
G
 
In the instant that I preach
    
Am
                
F
        
C
 
My existence led by confusion boats
 
Am
          
Em
       
G
 
Mutiny from stern to bow.
        
C
      
Am
      
F
     
C
 
Ah, but I was so much older then,
     
G
                 
C
 
I'm younger than that now.

         
C
       
Am
            
Em
 
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
     
F
     
G
     
C
 
Too noble to neglect
    
C
        
Am
    
Em
 
Deceived me into thinking
       
F
               
G
 
I had something to protect
 
Am
                
Em
 
Good and bad, I define these terms
 
F
                        
G
 
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
        
C
     
Am
       
F
      
C
 
Ah, but I was so much older then,
      
G
                
C
 
I'm younger than that now.
transcribed by orest