Changing Of The Guards

sixteen years
sixteen banners united
over the field where
the good shepherd grieves
desperate men
desperate women divided
spreading their wings
’neath the falling leaves

fortune calls
i stepped forth
from the shadows
to the marketplace
merchants and thieves
hungry for power
my last deal gone down
she’s smelling sweet
like the meadows
where she was born
on midsummer’s eve
near the tower

the cold-blooded moon
the captain waits
above the celebration
sending his thoughts
to a beloved maid
whose ebony face
is beyond communication
the captain is down
but still believing
that his love
will be repaid

they shaved her head
she was torn between
jupiter and apollo
a messenger arrived
with a black nightingale
i seen her on the stairs
and i couldn’t help but follow
follow her down
past the fountain
where they lifted her veil

i stumbled to my feet
i rode past
destruction in the ditches
with the stitches
still mending
’neath a heart-shaped tattoo
renegade priests and
treacherous young witches
were handing out the flowers
that i’d given to you

the palace of mirrors
where dog soldiers
are reflected
the endless road
and the wailing of chimes
the empty rooms
where her memory
is protected
where the angels’ voices
whisper to the souls
of previous times

she wakes him up
forty-eight hours later
the sun is breaking
near broken chains
mountain laurel
and rolling rocks
she’s begging to know
what measures
he now will be taking
he’s pulling her down
and she’s clutching
on to his long golden locks

"gentlemen" he said
"i don’t need
your organization
i’ve shined your shoes
i’ve moved your mountains
and marked your cards
but eden is burning
either get ready
for elimination
or else your hearts
must have the courage for
the changing of the guards"

peace will come
with tranquility
and splendor
on the wheels of fire
but will offer no reward
when her false idols fall
and cruel death surrenders
with its pale ghost retreating
between the king
and the queen of swords

--bob dylan
changing of the guards