Diamonds and Rust - Joan Baez/Blackmore's Night

   

Diamond and Rust

I'll be damned 

Here comes your ghost again 

But that's not unusual 

It's just that the moon is full 

And you happened to call 

And here I sit 

Hand on the telephone 

Hearing a voice I'd known 

A couple of light years ago 

Heading straight for a fall 

As I remember your eyes 

Were bluer than robin's eggs 

My poetry was lousy you said 

Where are you calling from? 

A booth in the midwest 

Ten years ago 

I bought you some cufflinks 

You brought me something 

We both know what memories can bring 

They bring diamonds and rust 

Well you burst on the scene 

Already a legend 

The unwashed phenomenon 

The original vagabond 

You strayed into my arms 

And there you stayed 

Temporarily lost at sea 

The Madonna was yours for free 

Yes the girl on the half-shell 

Would keep you unharmed 

Now I see you standing 

With brown leaves falling around 

And snow in your hair 

Now you're smiling out the window 

Of that crummy hotel 

Over Washington Square 

Our breath comes out white clouds 

Mingles and hangs in the air 

Speaking strictly for me 

We both could have died then and there 

Now you're telling me 

You're not nostalgic 

Then give me another word for it 

You who are so good with words 

And at keeping things vague 

Because I need some of that vagueness now 

It's all come back too clearly 

Yes I loved you dearly 

And if you're offering me diamonds and rust 

I've already paid