Diamonds and Rust

People people, it's just not that complicated! The title simply is stating from Joan's point of view the inequity of the relationship. Joan clearly is saying that she was there for him emotionally during a period in his life when he was "temporarily lost at sea" meaning a vulnerable scary place, maybe even going through an identity crisis, which isn't unusual with such successful artists and with as much fame as Dylan. It's obvious she cared for him during this time as a mother would for a wounded child. But it wasn't an adult to adult relationship emotionally. He just wasn't capable of returning the favor and she got nada from him for emotional support when it came to her life and hard times. She brought diamonds to the relationship and all she got from him was rust. It's supurb symbolism. And given that he thought her poetry was lousy I think she more than makes up for it with these lyrics. I put these lyrics in my top ten because of the raw sadness and pain that they are able to drudge up but also because it's that raw truth that comes through and her strength to say no to being in that position again. I've already paid.