Diamonds And Rust

Judas Priest

I'll be damned, here comes your ghost again
But that's not unusual
It's just that the moon is full
And you decided 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

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

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

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

'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

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

Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust
Diamonds, diamonds and rust


Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by flexsteel

Diamonds And Rust Lyrics as written by Joan Baez

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Diamonds And Rust song meanings
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14 Comments

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  • +2
    General Commentthis song is really shows how great a vocalist halford is you cant beat this song
    drummer form hellon March 15, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General CommentI've heard many different versons of this song (4 different artists) but I still think Priest's is the best! I like sad songs and this one always makes me sad
    FallenDramonon December 29, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General CommentThis song was written and originally performed by Joan Baez. This song certainly lacks the emotional undertone that Baez's had, but Judas Priest was going for a much more driving, harder sound, and they nailed that. Personally, I like both Baez's and JP's versions equally, because they both have their own merits.
    hammerhead300on April 17, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Commentit to me is one of priests best song. i think to me the song is about seeing or hearing a dead person and reminising on the past. and it brings back good and bad memories
    Henningson July 03, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentHennings, don't mean to sink your boat but this song isn't about seeing/hearing a dead person or anything of the sorts...it's about Bob Dylan. Priest are a great band, but anyone who remakes a song can't change the meaning of which it was writen, I love both J. Baez's version and JP's! But she wrote it about Bob Dylan and the time they spent together.
    Dream MacLeodon August 07, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentListen to it on acoustic, just terrific.
    bill1985on December 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General CommentGo to YouTube and look up the acoustic version to this song. (and NO, not the Ripper version)

    I saw them do this live in Manchester England at the Apollo while living in Edinburgh and it was just phenomenal.

    Rob, KK, Glen I salute you!

    Like my screen name, may the Priest rock forever.
    azrock4everon March 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSome bands are really good at turning cover songs into their own style and Priest is definately one of them (although I'm still trying to decide how I feel about Johnny B. Goode).
    samwaltonon April 02, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentGreat song, the original by Joan and JP's version.

    I love this song, but must always hide a giggle when she (and he dutyfully too) sings:
    "A couple of light years ago".
    But the song is good enough to forgive such a blunder. ;-)
    MrWillowon November 26, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Commentwell i think that in their own right JP's version is probably not geared towards bob dylan (then again......lmao) i like it best live, but not acoustic, its powerfully sad but it's like angry-sad.....eh u now what i mean. it's like he's mad at the one he wants back but would never actually take back.
    HalfordBeatlesManon July 25, 2011   Link

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