Dirge - Bob Dylan

I hate myself for loving’ you and the weakness that it showed

You were just a painted face on a trip down Suicide Road

The stage was set, the lights went out all around the old hotel

I hate myself for loving’ you and I’m glad the curtain fell

I hate that foolish game we played and the need that was expressed

And the mercy that you showed to me, who ever would have guessed?

I went out on Lower Broadway and I felt that place within

That hollow place where martyrs weep and angels play with sin

Heard your songs of freedom and man forever stripped

Acting out his folly while his back is being whipped

Like a slave in orbit, he’s beaten ’till he’s tame

All for a moment’s glory and it’s a dirty, rotten shame

There are those who worship loneliness, I’m not one of them

In this age of fiberglass I’m searching for a gem

The crystal ball up on the wall hasn’t shown me nothing yet

I’ve paid the price of solitude, but at least I’m out of debt

Can’t recall a useful thing you ever did for me

’Cept pat me on the back one time when I was on my knees

We stared into each other’s eyes ’till one of us would break

No use to apologize, what difference would it make?

So sing your praise of progress and of the Doom Machine

The naked truth is still taboo whenever it can be seen

Lady Luck, who shines on me, will tell you where I’m at

I hate myself for loving’ you, but I should get over that